Help tracing cause of smell.

dcsarge

dcsarge

dcsarge

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I could do with a bit of help with narrowing down the cause of a very irratating and unpleasant smell that first became noticable last night.

I can best descibe it as the smell you get from very hot plastic/melting plastic or polystrene but without the acrid, toxic tinge from full on burning.

I have narrowed it down to downstairs bathroom (1930's rented property) but couldn't find a source. My initial concern was a possible electrical issue, although there is only a single light fitting and I couldn't see any signs of damage. However, an electrician has been out after calling the landlord and he couldn't find any problems. He also couldn't smell anything due to a heavy cold.

The smell builds up very heavily with the door closed, even with the window open but I cannot pinpoint a source. I cannot smell anything in the bedroom above but the odour does carry through hall if the door is left open. It is enough to start giving me a headache at this point.

Has any one got any ideas? I feel like I am going to have a job asking for further investigation as it isn't an easily tracable issue.
 
I would imagine it's something getting hot, and that's not just limited to electrical issues. You could isolate the bathroom electically and see if the problem persists.

Another course of action would be to check any heating or hot water pipework that runs through the bathroom, radiators, hot taps etc. Check to see if they're passing or touching anything that could give off a smell when they heat up. Paint possibly?
 
Thanks for the reply. I have tried shutting off the electric to the Light via the circuit breaker and that hasn't made a difference. The smell doesn't appear to be any stronger in close proximity to plug on the basin or bath either.

The floor is quite old textured non-slip vinyl (the bathroom isn't very big, 1.8m x1.7m approx). The smell has been consistent all day with no hot water being used in there and the heating off. I have just put the heating on a bit, so I will see if the radiator in there has an impact on things.

I have been told that as gas and electrical issues have been ruled out it won't be treated as an problem unless a cause is discovered or it is has health impact.
 
Some old vinyl gives off a smell when it deteriorates, might be that.
You may also find it could be the sub floor getting damp (a mould perhaps?).

Wouldn't hurt to check.
 
Bickaxe said:
Some old vinyl gives off a smell when it deteriorates, might be that.
You may also find it could be the sub floor getting damp (a mould perhaps?).

Wouldn't hurt to check.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that info, that will be my next step I think. It is probably getting on a bit and was on the list to be replaced once I had got the walls and tiles sorted.

encephalopathy said:
leave the light on, climb up on a chair and smell the plastic lightbulb socket - this may be the culprit. if so replace the plastic socket and job's done
Click to expand...

That was one of the first things I did :). The ceiling and light fittings were recently replaced and I have been stocking up on paint and supplies, so this problem has come along at the wrong time.
 
Well I am still puzzled but the smell had faded this morning and has now completely gone. Hopefully it won't come back. Thanks to everyone who offered advice.
 
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