What a “fishy” smell in your home really means. Nine times out of 10, a fishy smell throughout the home means you have overheating electrical components (circuit breakers, outlets, wiring, etc.). You see, most wires, circuit breakers, etc. are made with heat resistant chemicals.
When a circuit overheats, the plastics and heat-resistant chemicals used in outlets, circuit breakers, or wiring insulation may emit a fishy or urine-like smell. The odor can be carried throughout the house by the HVAC system, and it may intensify or fade with changing temperatures and circuit usage.
Fishy Smell: Instead of burning plastic, many people say an electrical fire emits a fishy scent. This typically means it has just started. The fish odor is caused by electrical components overheating that haven't begun to burn up. Their heat-resistant chemical coatings can also release a fishy odor when burned.
Seafood is by far the worst offender. This one-two punch is best: After cooking, leave a bowl of white vinegar on your countertop overnight (to absorb stubborn odors). In the a.m., simmer cinnamon sticks, lemon peels and ground ginger in water on the stove (at least 15 minutes) to take care of any lingering stench.
It is actually completely normal for overheating electrical components, such as circuit breakers, outlets or wiring, to smell like fish. The smell isn't actually coming from the electrical components themselves.
What a “fishy” smell in your home really means. Nine times out of 10, a fishy smell throughout the home means you have overheating electrical components (circuit breakers, outlets, wiring, etc.). You see, most wires, circuit breakers, etc. are made with heat resistant chemicals.
Trimethylaminuria (TMAU) is an uncommon condition that causes an unpleasant, fishy smell. It's also called "fish odour syndrome". Sometimes it's caused by faulty genes that a person inherits from their parents, but this isn't always the case. There's currently no cure, but there are things that can help.
A strong fishy smell that won't go away is worth seeing a health care provider about. Fishy smells are associated with a type of vaginitis called bacterial vaginosis.
Carbon monoxide is a gas that has no odor, color or taste. You wouldn't be able to see or smell it, but it can be very dangerous to your health and even fatal.
Reasons for why your air conditioner smells range from a dirty air filter to a decomposing animal. Fishy smells, however, are deeply concerning because they can result from overheating electrical components, loose wires, and overloaded circuits.
Fishy. A fishy smell coming from your vents could hint at an electrical failure in your system. Electrical components inside your HVAC system are often coated in heat-resistant chemicals that give off a fishy smell when they burn or overheat.
The electrical components and wires in your walls and outlets are coated with heat resistant chemicals and plastic coating for insulation. When these chemicals and plastic heat up significantly, they give off a burning odor that can smell like fish.
Gas companies add a harmless chemical called mercaptan to give it its distinctive “rotten egg” smell.
Why does my drain smell of fish? If your kitchen or bathroom is reeking of fish, despite the lack of fish in that area, this could be an indication of a sewer gas leak, poor water quality or an electrical fault.
Phosphine, the simplest phosphorus hydride, is a colorless and extremely toxic gas. Some people think it smells like rotting fish; it reminds others of the odor of garlic.
What does a gas leak smell like in your house? Natural gas is odorless, but a substance known as mercaptan is added to your natural gas so that it gives off a pungent rotten egg smell. If you notice this odor in your home, it's possible you have a natural gas leak.
This is a genetic rare disorder in which the body cannot break down the chemical trimethylamine. It is sometimes called fish odor syndrome. Trimethylamine has a very strong smell, similar to that of rotting fish.
An electrical component may be overheating.
If the insulation is damaged or the wiring is experiencing electrical surges from a faulty breaker, the heat generated by the electricity can begin to melt the plastic, which is often identified as a fishy odor.
Mold has a distinct smell. It's often described as musty and earthy, and may even smell like rotting vegetables or plants. You might notice a musty smell, but not be able to see any mold growing. In this case, you should look for areas that might be exposed to water.
An electrical fire smell is often described as a “burning plastic” smell. This is because when wires overheat, the insulation surrounding them begins to break down and release chemicals into the air. These chemicals can have a strong, acrid smell that can be difficult to ignore.
If you have diabetes, a change in body odor could be a sign of diabetes-related ketoacidosis. High ketone levels cause your blood to become acidic and your body odor to be fruity. In the case of liver or kidney disease, your odor may give off a bleach-like smell due to toxin buildup in your body.
Trimethylamine has been described as smelling like rotten or decaying fish. As this compound builds up in the body, it causes affected people to give off a strong fishy odor in their sweat, urine, and breath. The intensity of the odor may vary over time.
If you have a bad smell in the house, there's a chance it could be a dead animal causing the odor. Wild animals live in buildings all the time. Common culprits include mice, rats, squirrels, opossums, and raccoons. Heck, sometimes even house cats die in the attic or walls.