A Fishy Smell In Your House Could Be A Major Red Flag: What To Do
Cooking fish can lead to an unappetizing odor that often lingers in parts of the house. But if fish wasn't on your dinner menu, and you notice the distinctive smell, it's important to take immediate action. The foul smell could indicate serious electrical issues that are putting you and your family in danger. In this situation, calling professionals is a must to have the problem addressed quickly and properly. There are other red flag smells around your home that you should watch out for, like mustiness and sewage, but a fishy odor ranks higher than many of these on the urgency scale.
Most of the time, a random fishy smell in the home means that some electrical components, which are usually tucked inside walls, are overheating. They have a heat-resistant coating on them, and it produces the pungent odor if it gets too hot. The overheating can happen for multiple reasons, including loose wires, outdated electrical systems, and electrical surges. What's even scarier is that the overheating can lead to electrical fires; this is why it's imperative that the problem is addressed by professionals as soon as possible — just like if you were to notice a rotten egg smell from a gas leak in your home.
Here's what to do if your house starts smelling like fish
The first step is to turn the power off to your home at the breaker panel. Then make a call to have an emergency electrician come out as soon as possible. It's recommended that you call 911 as well to be safe, since the fishy smell is a sign of an impending electrical fire. Don't try and figure out where the odor is coming from by yourself, it's important to leave this quest to the professionals. They will be able to locate the source of the problem and make the appropriate fixes so that you can safely return home.
To prevent electrical components from overheating, have your system inspected. Be cautious of plugging in too many appliances and unplug any that are not in use — like a coffee machine or a toaster. Also, have any outlet, light switch, or electrical issues taken care of by a professional. In addition to the fishy smell, there are other warning signs that may precede an electrical fire. If all your lights (not just one) start flickering, there could be a fault in the home's wiring, too. If you notice scorch marks near outlets or crackling sounds coming from the wall, be sure to take action immediately.