Getting rid of a pong........

[binley100]

I've got a pretty good sense of smell as well.....

[Potstubsdustbins]

If you do suspect Dry Rot proper I.D. is not so much of a problem nowadays. First google it, to see tons of pics and if your still concerned get a packet of detector sticks. They are easy to use and will give you a yea or nay in short order.

Colin

[binley100]

I don't suspect Dry rot Colin .....the house has been surveyed and the floor is sound ...

[VirginVegGrower]

I would try stripping it back and checking if the stench is wet. If its under Lino it probably needs an airing and some absorption treatment. What about a charcoal powder or silica to suck up moisture. Maybe then scrub with baking soda and a half lemon scrub. Then wipe. I use this for my fridge and it's a great deodoriser.
Hope it gets sorted. Am sure it will fade with some airing and a bit of tlc

[binley100]

First thing I did when she got the keys was rip out the carpet and the lino underneath ....and scrub the floor . In fact I went in there today ....(inspection needed on the redecoration ) and I think the pong may be fading .....so fingers crossed ..

[VirginVegGrower]

Normally happens. I took on a house that had an elderly lady in beforehand. We are still gutting in some ways even now. Once paint fumes emanate and freshen it, I'm sure it will be fine. You can get an excellent cleaner/polish called Traffic if it's still around. I used it on my mum's parquet floor with a machine thingy. You can also hire those stripper things that take the top layer of a floorboard off. Can't remember their name, so please don't go into HSS and ask for a stripper will you

[chris]

SL, I replaced, and moved the soil pipe anyway, infact, the *whole* of the bathroom was replaced (albeit with a bloomin cowboy of a plumber... *sigh*). Next time I'll just do it myself.

[Hilary B]

Think it needs a proper expert to make an accurate diagnosis before they go down such drastic routes. There are estate agents and surveyors who aren't expert in effective treatment upon diagnosis. It could be a cost incurred that's unnecessary.
Seek a pro!

My OH is a pro, he does surveys on old houses (sometimes VERY old) up to 5 times a week with my assistance, and dry-rot is not common, but in the presence of the typical smell (and especially in a previously ill-ventilated area) it cannot be assumed that it is absent without checking.
Replacing floorboards because the pong is probably well and truly soaked in is only expensive if you have to pay a builder to do it, precautionary treatment with the anti-rot stuff likewise, it can be applied with a cheap paintbrush, while wearing a cheap breathing mask.
I was warning that it MIGHT be a more serious problem than at first thought, and suggesting how to deal with the possibility.
Like I said, the diagnostic smell is very like cat-pee. If that definitely isn't what it smells like, then no need to worry.
It takes time for dry-rot to make a difference to structural strength of timbers, but if it is present, the sooner it is treated the less expensive it will be. I loathe and detest the powerful chemicals so common these days, but when I think of what was involved in treating dry-rot before they were invented, I do start to consider them rather more tolerable....