It's been a few months since we moved into the new house and I've noticed an odor that seems to be coming from the soft wood flooring located in the kitchen/dining area. I'm not sure what's causing it, but I know I would like the smell to go away. I'm just not sure how to do it without either tearing up the old floor and putting a new one in or refinishing it (it's really worn in some places.) Any suggestions?

By Karen~moderator on Friday, August 27, 2004 - 02:36 pm:

Kathy, are you absolutely positive there are no leaks underneath the flooring? My cousin experienced the same thing you're talking about, and discovered a leak in the pipe under the flooring. It was actually rotting the flooring besides growing all kinds of nasties in the leaking area under there.

By Ginny~moderator on Friday, August 27, 2004 - 03:32 pm:

Or, that there was a leak which started some nasties - no leak now but moisture and nasties.

Is there any access to the underside of the floor from a basement or crawl space?

By Kathy on Friday, August 27, 2004 - 04:24 pm:

OK...you guys had me really worried. So I went into the basement and checked the sub-flooring and it looked fine to me...dry...no damage. I really think the smell is from the wood flooring itself. I washed it with Murphy's Oil Soap earlier and before that, I vacuumed up all crumbs and birdseed stuck in the crevices. I'd really love to get rid of that floor and put down tile...but it will have to wait a while. We're finally getting new carpet for the livingroom and I can't wait! One thing at a time, you know. ;)

By Karen~moderator on Friday, August 27, 2004 - 07:24 pm:

What color carpet are you getting??

By Vicki on Friday, August 27, 2004 - 09:01 pm:

Is there gaps between the boards? Maybe the person who lived there before you used too much water and it could have seaped down between the boards and is causing some mold?? I honestly have no idea what could be causing wood to smell unless it is water (mold) or pet accidents. Not to be gross, but what kind of odor is it? What does it smell like?

By Kathy on Friday, August 27, 2004 - 09:40 pm:

The color of the new carpet is called 'palamino', which is like a medium beige. The guy is coming tomorrow to measure. My new livingroom is almost complete!

There *are* gaps between the boards, hence my vacuuming today. The smell isn't gross...it certainly isn't pee. It's just one of those funky smells! My dh says it is the years of grime from the people who lived here before us. ;)

By Karen~moderator on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 09:12 am:

It very well could be that. Particularly in a kitchen/dining area. Food and stuff, spills, that could be it.

I'd love to see a pic of your living room when it's finished. If I remember correctly there was blue carpet in there originally?

By Amecmom on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 11:53 am:

Try cleaning the floor with a vinegar solution. It may get rid of the smell.
I had a musty smell coming from the wood floor in my hall closet. Then I noticed some white stuff "growing" on the wood. I cleaned it with Clorox clean up and then sprayed it with Lysol to kill anything lingering. Just spot check a small area of the wood to make sure the Clorox does not bleach it.
Ame

By Kathy on Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 08:02 am:

I will certainly try the vinegar so hopefully, that will work. If not, I will have to take more drastic measures!

Right now the carpet is an ugly seafoam green. The walls used to be the same ugly color! I will certainly post before and after pics.

By Karen~moderator on Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 08:55 am:

LOL Kathy! In the previous pics I saw, I thought it was a shade of blue. My bad!

I'd really like to see pics when you're done. I love to see what others have done with their homes.