Smell in kitchen

Kiith · 01-05-2025 08:02AM #1

We are currently having an issue with a really bad smell in our kitchen and I just can't figure out where it's coming from. It's not from the sink area, as we don't get the smell there. I don't think it's from the washing machine or dishwasher, but they aren't far from where I get the smell. I think of a skunk when I smell it, though my nose isn't the best. And we don't have skunks.

I think it seems to be from the corner near a door to a conservatory that was built after the house was built.

The smell isn't in the conservatory though, only the kitchen (and rest the the downstairs of we leave the kitchen door open). The floor board near the top right of that photo look in bad shape, possibly mouldy?

The only other thing I can think is the cable run to the outside near the above door. It's mostly sealed, but there may be air coming in from the outside area, though I don't see anything when I look out there.

Would this be a plumber or pest control type call? Need to get it sorted ASAP, as it's really bad.

NIMAN · 01-05-2025 08:32AM

Perhaps something got into the area through a hole, and then died?

Escapees · 01-05-2025 08:42AM

Worth checking it's not from the rubber sealing surrounding the glass in the sliding doors - this can become mouldy over time due to condensation and start perishing. Try wiping some of the lower rubber with a damp tissue and smell to check.

Patrick2010 · 01-05-2025 08:44AM

sounds like a dead mouse under the floor boards

coffee to go · 01-05-2025 08:55AM

Left field suggestion, depending on where in the country you are, but it could be Greater White Toothed Shrews territory marking - They are stinky little feckers, very reminiscent of skunk smell!

pooley124 · 01-05-2025 10:37AM

Is it concrete under those floorboards or is it a raised type floor? We had a leak in our kitchen years ago where the waste water from the washing machine was leaking under the floor. If it's a raised floor I would lift the floorboards and see what's going on there. Definitely looks like water ingress from somewhere

Dial Hard · 01-05-2025 11:34AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123406938#Comment_123406938

Exactly what I was going to say.

If it was water, OP, you'd likely just be smelling damp. Never underestimate the stink one dead mouse can create, they reek.

HorseSea · 01-05-2025 11:37AM

A dead mouse has a terrible smell and lasts longer than you'd expect, but it has a smell like gas, don't think it would be similar to a skunk. My guess would be water/mould and that floor would be where I would start looking.

Trigger Happy · 01-05-2025 11:39AM

It sounds like a dead rodent all right. If that is the case and you cannot access the carcass to get rid of it then the smell will last a week or so depending on it's size. The current higher tempratures will compound the smell.

But it would be a good idea to try to figure out where they got in. Look for holes outside on the walls and beside pipes etc. Stuff any holes with steel wool - they can knaw thru that as it hurts their teeth. Worst case scenario is there is a crack in one of your waste pipes that will need fixing. A Rat flap in your waste pipes is a good move too.

C3PO · 01-05-2025 08:53PM

I’ve no idea what a skunk smells like but I know from experience that a dead mouse under the floor can really stink!

tom1ie · 03-05-2025 07:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058408182/smell-in-kitchen

hi Kiith how long has the smell being going on for?
If it’s all of a sudden for the last week or so but the mouldy looking floorboard has been like that for a while then it probably is something dead under the (I presume) raised timber floor.

Kiith · 23-06-2025 12:14AM

Thanks all, definitely seems like it was a mouse, as its been gone a while now. We bought the property recently, so i'm going to get someone in to find out where any critters may have gotten in, and see if we can seal them up.

Smell in kitchen

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