💥 This House Had a Smell...

The Inspection Insider

The Inside Scoop for Buyers, Sellers, and Realtors

This Week's Inspector Spotlight: A mystery stench led to a shocking discovery!

Some houses just have a smell.

You know the kind. Not old carpet. Not cigarette smoke. Not even cat pee.
This one hit me the second I stepped inside—and it only got worse from there.

What started as a weird musty funk turned into something more sinister as I moved through the home. By the time I reached the basement, it wasn’t just offensive. It was unforgettable.

A Modest Bungalow with a Mystery
It was a quiet, early spring afternoon. I was scheduled to inspect a 1970s bungalow in a mature neighborhood. The home looked well-maintained from the outside. The roof had been recently replaced, the yard was tidy, and the seller had even taken the time to light a candle in the front room.

(Which, by the way, is usually a red flag. Scented candles = someone’s trying to hide something.)

But I barely made it past the entryway before I realized we had a problem.

Something Was Very Wrong
I made my way into the utility room and instantly knew I was close.

The furnace was rusted in unusual spots, and the plenum above looked... stained.

Then I spotted it. Directly overhead was the main floor bathroom. And right below the toilet, the sheet metal plenum had water streaks and signs of corrosion.

I pulled out my moisture meter. The reading pegged high.
I checked the ceiling—soft drywall, discolored, and beginning to sag.

Yup.

The toilet had been leaking. For a long time. Slowly but steadily, it had dripped through the floor, onto the ductwork, and directly onto the furnace.

The blower compartment had visible rust. Moisture had made its way into the ducting. And every time the heat kicked on, it circulated eau de toilet throughout the entire home.

The smell? That was the scent of warm, aerosolized toilet water.

Smells Don’t Lie
The buyers were horrified. The listing had mentioned “some recent upgrades” and “great potential.” But there was no mention of a leaking toilet or furnace damage.

I broke the news gently:
The furnace would likely need to be replaced, the ductwork cleaned, and the bathroom plumbing repaired—not to mention the floor structure and ceiling between levels inspected for water damage and possible mold.

They walked away from the deal. (Smart move.)

Lesson Learned
If a house smells funky, there’s a reason. Don’t let candles or air fresheners convince you otherwise.

Odors are a red flag.
They can mean water damage, mold, pet neglect, rodent infestations, plumbing failures—or in this case, all of the above.

A good inspector doesn’t just look for visible problems. We listen. We smell. We investigate the things that make you wrinkle your nose.

Because in real estate, if it smells off, something probably is off.

🛠️ Pro Tip of the Week

Check for hidden water damage below toilets.
Stand near the toilet and rock slightly side to side—if it moves at all, the wax ring may be compromised and leaking. Also, check ceilings directly below bathrooms for stains or soft spots. If in doubt, have it inspected before you buy.

What’s Coming Next Week?

Next week, I’ll share a story about the inspection that turned into a wildlife rescue mission!

Ron Henderson, CMI
Certified Master Inspector

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Questions? Comments? Drop me a line at: [email protected]