Over the past few years, on occasion, we've noticed a slight smell in the kitchen.
It is certainly not drainy or foul. It's much more musty and dry.
It never seems to hang around too long and seems only to occur when it's
been dry for a while, and when there is a breeze.
A few years ago, I thought I had cracked it after stripping out the backs
of the cupboards against the external wall of the kitchen (beneath sink
and corner unit). I found a 4" square of floorboard missing, and the
whiff coming from there was the smell of the void under the floorboards.
Rather than rip out everything, I sealed a piece of wood into the gap
with extruding foam. Seems totally airtight. That was 7 or 8 years ago.
Fast forward to now, and the smell is back. Sometimes stronger than other.
I have once again removed all the easy bits to see behind and under the units. Messing around with an incense stick there is the faintest of draughts, but I can't see from where.
I think it's obvious there is a current of air being blown up from below. However it's odd that it has started suddenly.
We're not in the position to spend a lot on new kitchen work, so ripping everything out is very much not desirable.
There seems to be a slight gap (5mm) between the floorboards and wall.
Also scrabbling underneath the unit, a pipe goes through a floorboard
with a gap around it.
I wondered if there is a putty I could use to try and seal these gaps ?
Or if anyone has had a similar problem before ?
Over the past few years, on occasion, we've noticed a slight smell in
the kitchen.
It is certainly not drainy or foul. It's much more musty and dry.
It never seems to hang around too long and seems only to occur when it's
been dry for a while, and when there is a breeze.
A few years ago, I thought I had cracked it after stripping out the
backs of the cupboards against the external wall of the kitchen (beneath
sink and corner unit). I found a 4" square of floorboard missing, and
the whiff coming from there was the smell of the void under the
floorboards.
Rather than rip out everything, I sealed a piece of wood into the gap
with extruding foam. Seems totally airtight. That was 7 or 8 years ago.
Fast forward to now, and the smell is back. Sometimes stronger than
other.
I have once again removed all the easy bits to see behind and under the units. Messing around with an incense stick there is the faintest of draughts, but I can't see from where.
I think it's obvious there is a current of air being blown up from
below. However it's odd that it has started suddenly.
We're not in the position to spend a lot on new kitchen work, so ripping everything out is very much not desirable.
There seems to be a slight gap (5mm) between the floorboards and wall.
Also scrabbling underneath the unit, a pipe goes through a floorboard
with a gap around it.
I wondered if there is a putty I could use to try and seal these gaps ?
Or if anyone has had a similar problem before ?
On 03/06/2025 12:18, Jethro_uk wrote:
Over the past few years, on occasion, we've noticed a slight smell in
the kitchen.
It is certainly not drainy or foul. It's much more musty and dry.
It never seems to hang around too long and seems only to occur when
it's been dry for a while, and when there is a breeze.
A few years ago, I thought I had cracked it after stripping out the
backs of the cupboards against the external wall of the kitchen
(beneath sink and corner unit). I found a 4" square of floorboard
missing, and the whiff coming from there was the smell of the void
under the floorboards.
Rather than rip out everything, I sealed a piece of wood into the gap
with extruding foam. Seems totally airtight. That was 7 or 8 years ago.
Fast forward to now, and the smell is back. Sometimes stronger than
other.
I have once again removed all the easy bits to see behind and under the
units. Messing around with an incense stick there is the faintest of
draughts, but I can't see from where.
I think it's obvious there is a current of air being blown up from
below. However it's odd that it has started suddenly.
We're not in the position to spend a lot on new kitchen work, so
ripping everything out is very much not desirable.
There seems to be a slight gap (5mm) between the floorboards and wall.
Also scrabbling underneath the unit, a pipe goes through a floorboard
with a gap around it.
I wondered if there is a putty I could use to try and seal these gaps ?
Or if anyone has had a similar problem before ?
Absolutely I have had that problem.
Expanding foam for the big cracks and decorators caulk for the little
gaps
On Tue, 03 Jun 2025 11:18:47 +0000, Jethro_uk wrote:
Over the past few years, on occasion, we've noticed a slight smell in
the kitchen.
It is certainly not drainy or foul. It's much more musty and dry.
It never seems to hang around too long and seems only to occur when it's
been dry for a while, and when there is a breeze.
A few years ago, I thought I had cracked it after stripping out the
backs of the cupboards against the external wall of the kitchen (beneath
sink and corner unit). I found a 4" square of floorboard missing, and
the whiff coming from there was the smell of the void under the
floorboards.
Rather than rip out everything, I sealed a piece of wood into the gap
with extruding foam. Seems totally airtight. That was 7 or 8 years ago.
Fast forward to now, and the smell is back. Sometimes stronger than
other.
I have once again removed all the easy bits to see behind and under the
units. Messing around with an incense stick there is the faintest of
draughts, but I can't see from where.
I think it's obvious there is a current of air being blown up from
below. However it's odd that it has started suddenly.
We're not in the position to spend a lot on new kitchen work, so ripping
everything out is very much not desirable.
There seems to be a slight gap (5mm) between the floorboards and wall.
Also scrabbling underneath the unit, a pipe goes through a floorboard
with a gap around it.
I wondered if there is a putty I could use to try and seal these gaps ?
Or if anyone has had a similar problem before ?
Doing some research, it's not a foul or decaying smell. It's dry, dusty, "bricky" ?
On Tue, 03 Jun 2025 15:55:49 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
On 03/06/2025 12:18, Jethro_uk wrote:
Over the past few years, on occasion, we've noticed a slight smell in
the kitchen.
It is certainly not drainy or foul. It's much more musty and dry.
It never seems to hang around too long and seems only to occur when
it's been dry for a while, and when there is a breeze.
A few years ago, I thought I had cracked it after stripping out the
backs of the cupboards against the external wall of the kitchen
(beneath sink and corner unit). I found a 4" square of floorboard
missing, and the whiff coming from there was the smell of the void
under the floorboards.
Rather than rip out everything, I sealed a piece of wood into the gap
with extruding foam. Seems totally airtight. That was 7 or 8 years ago.
Fast forward to now, and the smell is back. Sometimes stronger than
other.
I have once again removed all the easy bits to see behind and under the
units. Messing around with an incense stick there is the faintest of
draughts, but I can't see from where.
I think it's obvious there is a current of air being blown up from
below. However it's odd that it has started suddenly.
We're not in the position to spend a lot on new kitchen work, so
ripping everything out is very much not desirable.
There seems to be a slight gap (5mm) between the floorboards and wall.
Also scrabbling underneath the unit, a pipe goes through a floorboard
with a gap around it.
I wondered if there is a putty I could use to try and seal these gaps ?
Or if anyone has had a similar problem before ?
Absolutely I have had that problem.
Expanding foam for the big cracks and decorators caulk for the little
gaps
Ah, caulk ... that's an idea :) Thanks.
As I was running through the specifics, it occurred to me that maybe
there's something about wood shrinking very very slightly in drier
weather that is opening up a gap somewhere.
Doing some research, it's not a foul or decaying smell. It's dry, dusty, "bricky" ?
On 03/06/2025 15:57, Jethro_uk wrote:
Doing some research, it's not a foul or decaying smell. It's dry,
dusty,
"bricky" ?
Out of interest, do you have any airbricks in the outside wall(s) of the kitchen? If so, can you detect the same smell through those?
On 03/06/2025 16:38, Jethro_uk wrote:
On Tue, 03 Jun 2025 15:55:49 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
On 03/06/2025 12:18, Jethro_uk wrote:
Over the past few years, on occasion, we've noticed a slight smell in
the kitchen.
It is certainly not drainy or foul. It's much more musty and dry.
It never seems to hang around too long and seems only to occur when
it's been dry for a while, and when there is a breeze.
A few years ago, I thought I had cracked it after stripping out the
backs of the cupboards against the external wall of the kitchen
(beneath sink and corner unit). I found a 4" square of floorboard
missing, and the whiff coming from there was the smell of the void
under the floorboards.
Rather than rip out everything, I sealed a piece of wood into the gap
with extruding foam. Seems totally airtight. That was 7 or 8 years ago. >>>>
Fast forward to now, and the smell is back. Sometimes stronger than
other.
I have once again removed all the easy bits to see behind and under the >>>> units. Messing around with an incense stick there is the faintest of
draughts, but I can't see from where.
I think it's obvious there is a current of air being blown up from
below. However it's odd that it has started suddenly.
We're not in the position to spend a lot on new kitchen work, so
ripping everything out is very much not desirable.
There seems to be a slight gap (5mm) between the floorboards and wall. >>>> Also scrabbling underneath the unit, a pipe goes through a floorboard
with a gap around it.
I wondered if there is a putty I could use to try and seal these gaps ? >>>> Or if anyone has had a similar problem before ?
Absolutely I have had that problem.
Expanding foam for the big cracks and decorators caulk for the little
gaps
Ah, caulk ... that's an idea :) Thanks.
As I was running through the specifics, it occurred to me that maybe
there's something about wood shrinking very very slightly in drier
weather that is opening up a gap somewhere.
Very likely. I have an outside door that varies from perfect fit to completely jammed according to the weather ;-)
If you do have movement foam may be better than caulk
On Tue, 03 Jun 2025 16:42:30 +0100, Jeff Layman wrote:
On 03/06/2025 15:57, Jethro_uk wrote:
Doing some research, it's not a foul or decaying smell. It's dry,
dusty,
"bricky" ?
Out of interest, do you have any airbricks in the outside wall(s) of the
kitchen? If so, can you detect the same smell through those?
There may be an airbrick there - I have decking that runs along that wall though (to allow SWMBO level access to the house from the path). I might
be able to peer through the slats :)
But the smell isn't in anyway "damp". The best way to describe it is
"dry" and "musty". Exactly like the void the floorboards cover.
On 03/06/2025 17:57, Jethro_uk wrote:
On Tue, 03 Jun 2025 16:42:30 +0100, Jeff Layman wrote:
On 03/06/2025 15:57, Jethro_uk wrote:
Doing some research, it's not a foul or decaying smell. It's dry,
dusty,
"bricky" ?
Out of interest, do you have any airbricks in the outside wall(s) of
the kitchen? If so, can you detect the same smell through those?
There may be an airbrick there - I have decking that runs along that
wall though (to allow SWMBO level access to the house from the path). I
might be able to peer through the slats :)
But the smell isn't in anyway "damp". The best way to describe it is
"dry" and "musty". Exactly like the void the floorboards cover.
I hope it isn't dry rot. Do you have suspended floors throughout the
ground floor ?. If so, is there proper cross ventilation ?.
On 03/06/2025 18:15, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
On 03/06/2025 16:38, Jethro_uk wrote:
On Tue, 03 Jun 2025 15:55:49 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
On 03/06/2025 12:18, Jethro_uk wrote:
Over the past few years, on occasion, we've noticed a slight smell in >>>>> the kitchen.
It is certainly not drainy or foul. It's much more musty and dry.
It never seems to hang around too long and seems only to occur when
it's been dry for a while, and when there is a breeze.
A few years ago, I thought I had cracked it after stripping out the
backs of the cupboards against the external wall of the kitchen
(beneath sink and corner unit). I found a 4" square of floorboard
missing, and the whiff coming from there was the smell of the void
under the floorboards.
Rather than rip out everything, I sealed a piece of wood into the gap >>>>> with extruding foam. Seems totally airtight. That was 7 or 8 years
ago.
Fast forward to now, and the smell is back. Sometimes stronger than
other.
I have once again removed all the easy bits to see behind and under
the
units. Messing around with an incense stick there is the faintest of >>>>> draughts, but I can't see from where.
I think it's obvious there is a current of air being blown up from
below. However it's odd that it has started suddenly.
We're not in the position to spend a lot on new kitchen work, so
ripping everything out is very much not desirable.
There seems to be a slight gap (5mm) between the floorboards and wall. >>>>> Also scrabbling underneath the unit, a pipe goes through a floorboard >>>>> with a gap around it.
I wondered if there is a putty I could use to try and seal these
gaps ?
Or if anyone has had a similar problem before ?
Absolutely I have had that problem.
Expanding foam for the big cracks and decorators caulk for the little
gaps
Ah, caulk ... that's an idea :) Thanks.
As I was running through the specifics, it occurred to me that maybe
there's something about wood shrinking very very slightly in drier
weather that is opening up a gap somewhere.
Very likely. I have an outside door that varies from perfect fit to
completely jammed according to the weather ;-)
If you do have movement foam may be better than caulk
If you have mice , it could be dead mice. They also love expanding foam...
Dave
On Tue, 03 Jun 2025 20:32:19 +0100, Andrew wrote:
On 03/06/2025 17:57, Jethro_uk wrote:
On Tue, 03 Jun 2025 16:42:30 +0100, Jeff Layman wrote:
On 03/06/2025 15:57, Jethro_uk wrote:
Doing some research, it's not a foul or decaying smell. It's dry,
dusty,
"bricky" ?
Out of interest, do you have any airbricks in the outside wall(s) of
the kitchen? If so, can you detect the same smell through those?
There may be an airbrick there - I have decking that runs along that
wall though (to allow SWMBO level access to the house from the path). I
might be able to peer through the slats :)
But the smell isn't in anyway "damp". The best way to describe it is
"dry" and "musty". Exactly like the void the floorboards cover.
I hope it isn't dry rot. Do you have suspended floors throughout the
ground floor ?. If so, is there proper cross ventilation ?.
The floors are getting on for 24" above the ground. The guy who fitted
the heating commented on how deep the void was and all airbricks are open
so there is a good cross flow.
The problem here is I have no idea what dry rot might smell like. However
I do recognise this smell as the dry, dusty smell you would have in a
cellar. Which corresponds with what's below :) So I am working on the assumption that somehow air is being pushed into the kitchen from below
the floor thanks to some small gaps.
Why it comes and goes (it's receded a lot with the fact it's turned
slightly cooler and damper) is more the mystery.
I think a tube of caulk and some squeezing it into the gaps and then
waiting and seeing is the best approach.
On 03/06/2025 17:57, Jethro_uk wrote:
On Tue, 03 Jun 2025 16:42:30 +0100, Jeff Layman wrote:
On 03/06/2025 15:57, Jethro_uk wrote:
Doing some research, it's not a foul or decaying smell. It's dry,
dusty,
"bricky" ?
Out of interest, do you have any airbricks in the outside wall(s) of the >>> kitchen? If so, can you detect the same smell through those?
There may be an airbrick there - I have decking that runs along that wall
though (to allow SWMBO level access to the house from the path). I might
be able to peer through the slats :)
But the smell isn't in anyway "damp". The best way to describe it is
"dry" and "musty". Exactly like the void the floorboards cover.
I hope it isn't dry rot. Do you have suspended floors throughout
the ground floor ?. If so, is there proper cross ventilation ?.
Rather than rip out everything, I sealed a piece of wood into the gap
with extruding foam. Seems totally airtight. That was 7 or 8 years ago.
Fast forward to now, and the smell is back. Sometimes stronger than other.
I have once again removed all the easy bits to see behind and under the >units. Messing around with an incense stick there is the faintest of >draughts, but I can't see from where.
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