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Salon chemical smell in kitchen and house

2 years ago

We live in the redwoods in CA in a house we purchased 4 years ago. I have noticed this year a strong salon perm solution odor in the house, but mainly in the kitchen. It hits you really hard when you walk in from outiside. We had new carpet and engineered flooring installed 8 months ago. I dont think that is the issue. We are having a new septic system installed due to total failure. Could be a leaking pipe? I don‘t think that is the problem because it is chemical , not sewer. I have not seen obvious water damage or mold. We put in an air conditioner system, but I don’t feel that is it. It doesn’t seem to be coming from the crawlspace. That has its own petroleum smell. No new work in the kitchen other than replacing the dishwasher. The smell was here before that. Who would I even call to help? I am out of ideas. It is so strong.

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Comments (2)

MizLizzie
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Is the smell worse when the hot water or the dishwasher is operating? Is your water heater old, or often sitting idle? You can get that smell from a water heater that needs the anode rod replaced. Read THIS.

But ”anode stink” will not, of its own accord, leech out into your home. It will be obviously related to hot water usage, and it sounds as if it is not the case for you?

Good luck.
Angela Aurelio
Original Author
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Thank you for the reply. It was here long before the new dishwasher. The water heater was replaced in 2020. With our move in ready home (haha) we have replaced everything minus the stove. Most everything is new since 2017 including furnace, ductwork, new fridge due to wildfire evacuation, new dishwasher, new floors, one new shower etc etc. Now onto the septic. I thought it could be a mat I was using in the kitchen, but it has not improved with removing it. It is such a strong smell and I can't pinpoint it. Opening windows doesn't solve it and most windows were open all summer. We installed a new a/c unit, but it was here before then. I fear it is some sort of mold or issue in the walls or crawlspace, but after we had the carbon monoxide scare and subsequent inspection to find the source (water heater) we know at that time the crawlspace was bone dry and no signs of moisture or mold. It is just odd it would start all of sudden this year and has lasted months with no obvious source. I can't imagine it would be flooring off gassing as the kitchen floor needs replaced, but hasn't been yet.
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