Is that gas I can smell??

[Heathwood]

Ok, I'm finding this a bit weird but I'm sure there's a logical explanation..

I have recently started using my front reception room as my main lounge, having not used it very much in the couple of years I've owned the house.

A couple of times I've noticed a strong acrid smell in the room which I thing may be gas. Now before you all start screaming "call British Gas", I should add that I do not have any gas in this room and there is no smell elsewhere in the house. Also, my gas meter hasn't moved all day, which it surely would if I had a leek?!

The house is a 1930's semi and I'm sure the smell is at its worst right near the dividing wall. In fact, the wall itself gives off a strong smell if you sniff it closely. Oh, and so far this only happens on a Sunday..

Could it be that my next door neighbour has a problem with their gas but it is leaching (spl?) through the wall to my house? It's the only thing I can think of. Any other thoughts?

[Heathwood]

Steve748 said:

Better you call out TRANSCO for them to check it than us read in The Sun.....Muppet(45) was posting on the internet that he could SMELL GAS, unfortunately for him he ignored EVERYBODY that posted that he should call TRANSCO minutes before his house was DEMOLISHED by a lightswitch spark that ignited the gas that was escaping from an underground leak and exiting in his front room. Sadly this member of 'Pistonheads' is unavailable for comment

It would be easier however if the smell was consistent / continuous. I've only noticed it once prior to today (last sunday for about an hour). You're right though of course, think I'll make a call or two tomorrow; perhaps after I've given the neighbours a knock..

[Heathwood]

speedtwelve said:

The previous owner has probably left a dead body under the floorboards in your front room, which is now becoming 'ripe'.

HTH.

Can Transco deal with that too?

[Heathwood]

Symbolica said:

johnnywgk said:

heathwood, nice to see you're still with us

He'll be leaving again soon, heading into orbit.

Haha, thanks guys. There was actually a scented candle burning away on the fireplace when I walked in the room and noticed the smell!! I am wondering whether it is more likely to be fumes from next doors chimney rather than neat gas. Don't worry though, I'm making that call tomorrow morning anyway..

[Heathwood]

Deva Link said:

Heathwood said:

A couple of times I've noticed a strong acrid smell in the room which I thing may be gas.

Do you know what gas (or at least the additives combination they put in to make it smell) smells like?

I wouldn't describe it as acrid - I'd have said it's more a sickly rotten egg type of smell. Most people find it stomach churning (which is the idea).

Yep, I've come to the conclusion that it is not gas. It simply hasn't got that sickly rotten egg smell.

It really is difficult to describe the smell but it is certainly unpleasant and rather worrying. It can also come and go very quickly which surely would eliminate the potential for an animal, such as a bird, that has died and is rotting within the chimney somewhere?!

The only other thing worth mentioning is that we have just had our parquet (spl?) flooring refurbished / sanded and I did not notice the smell prior to this. Not sure how it could be connected however and again, why would the presence of the smell be so erratic.

Oh well, the pondering continues..