When a rat dies in your wall, how long does it take for the smell to go away?
Question:I have a horrible smell coming from one of the rooms in my house. I just assumed it was a rat that died inside the walls.
It's been 6 months now since it started and the smell is just as bad as the first day it happened. Im beginning to think that perhaps it;s not a rat, but I cant imagine what it is.
Since it's coming from the bathroom, could it be the plumbing?
No bathroom jokes please... Im just smells horrible in there.
Any ideas?
Answers:
If it were just a dead animal in the wall, the smell would go away when the body desiccates and dries up. Since you mentioned a bathroom wall, I would suspect a leak or sweating pipes may prevent the body from drying up and you now have a wet soggy mess that is also feeding mold. They only way to tell would be to have the sheet rock removed and take a look. I can't see through the wall any better than you can.
My first question to you is,, what makes you think it's a rat?? It might be a small cat, or other critter, though I hope not. Also,, is it possible you vent system has become plugged?? sewer gasses can be quite offensive and often thought to be a dead animal decomposing someplace unwanted. If you have a handy man available,,, I would have the vents checked,, then perhaps a septic tank needing pumped out. Good luck.
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