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About Sharon McCarthy
Expertise
I can help with most questions about residential plumbing problems including septic systems, and some questions about irrigation. I have no experience with commercial installations or codes.

Experience
I have been a sole-proprietor service plumber in two small towns north of Phoenix Arizona for 26 years.

Publications
I had a monthly column in the United Steelworkers of America, local 1033, newsletter 1978 to 1982. I wrote an article for "The Theosophist" in 1977. I've written dozens of letters to the editor in many newspapers.

Education/Credentials
High school and three years of college. My step-father, having worked 40 years in the plumbing trade in Chicago, taught me for two years. The rest has been hands-on experience.

Past/Present Clients
Many hundreds of good people in Cave Creek and Carefree Arizona

You are here: Experts > Home/Garden > Home Improvement/Repair > Plumbing in the Home > Bathroom sink/vanity odor

Plumbing in the Home - Bathroom sink/vanity odor

Expert: Sharon McCarthy - 11/5/2009

Question
Over the past week, I have noticed a foul odor in our first floor bathroom. When I open the cabinet door to the vanity, I can really smell the odor. It isn't a gas smell but it is definitely a foul smell. Our house is 20 years old. What could be causing the smell?

Answer
Dear Jennifer,

  Is it possibly a mouse that died in the wall? In my area we have a lot of packrats that build nests right outside peoples' homes. No one is immune to these critters, even homes in gated communities have invasions from time to time. The packrats often find a way into houses during our hot summers, and people will hear them pattering around in their ceilings.

Often these homeowners call an exterminator. Another problem then arises; when poison is scattered around, these critters die in walls and ceilings and give off an odor very similar to a sewer gas smell. Decomposition creates methane gas and other gases.

  I've had many people call me thinking sewer gas is coming up in the house, but there is simply no evidence of this, all the traps are full of water. I will then ask if they had the exterminator set out poison for packrats and invariably the answer is yes.

  If this is the case, if a mouse died in the wall, you'll probably have to wait it out until the critter finally dries up and stops smelling. This is my best guess based on what you wrote. sharon

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