Toxic smell from basement?

[blob]

When we tore up the floor in the family room, an enormous stench arose and we are feeling quite bad in our airways. The stench has not disappeared in a week.

It was plastic against the concrete slab and styrofoam on top, I assume that's how it was done before.

However, it is made on old glue that was used earlier to lay another floor which was glued to the concrete and has become moist.

What could the stench be due to and how worried should we be? Which trade can we contact to solve this?

 

[SBH]

that happens when you tear down such a large area. the area has had this smell trapped for a long time.

is it a chemical or natural smell? like glue or concrete or old sewage or mold?

 

[blob]

natural scent, a bit of root cellar, musty, quite strong and noticeable as soon as we enter the house.

All organic and previously moldy material has been removed from the house.

 

[raveper]

In the past, the glue used on concrete could be black and contain asbestos. Just so you know. In that case, it can be sent for analysis just to be safe.

 

[Stew]

When we tore up the floor in the basement den, a huge stench emerged and we feel pretty bad in our airways. The stench hasn't disappeared in a week.

It was plastic against the concrete slab and polystyrene on top; I guess that's how it was done before.

However, it was done on old glue previously used to lay another floor that was glued to the concrete and has become damp.

What could the stench be from and how worried should we be? Which trade should we contact to solve this?

Hi,

Could it be sewer smell? It can be really strong. But it is quite an easily recognizable smell...

Regards,

Stefan

 

[blob]

Sewer smell it is not.

 

[Niclas Jonsson]

It's the glue that smells. It's called saponification. Google it.

Some can have strong allergic reactions.

 

[blob]

Thank you! That was probably spot on.

The way the floor was laid, plastic placed on the glue that caused this, is it a hidden defect?

 

[AnnelieT]

OP, if I were in your shoes, I would take a sample and send it in for analysis. Check out Anozona's page, for example. They offer many different analyses you can do, as well as information on what causes the smell.
http://www.anozona.com/index.htm

 

[Niclas Jonsson]

Now I'm not a super expert on the subject, but it's hardly to be considered a hidden defect.

Not all glue saponifies. It can happen when the glue is constantly exposed to moisture (as in your case), but it's also common if you glue carpet on carpet. Then some carpets can react to the glue, causing it to saponify.

I had the same phenomenon in my basement, but I still sawed off the entire basement floor, so the problem was, so to speak, driven away. But it should be possible to remediate, I think. Grinding the floor is tricky; I remember that the smell can penetrate deep into the concrete.

 

[blob]

Is it possible to safely determine if the glue has saponified?

 

[blob]

I called around to half of the construction industry in Sweden, apparently it's supposed to be removed when it's soft, like soap, and should be able to be scraped off with a spatula. Ours is rock hard and I have now sanded it off as a preventative measure. (I can tell you it wasn't fun, dusty).

Notably, the tip about http://www.anozona.com/index.htm was good. Damn, they really knew their stuff