Stinky door
#1
07-16-03, 06:54 AM
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Stinky door
This is not exactly a "door" question, but I thought this might be a place to start:
The front door on our house is seldom used, it's a solid wood door, stained, there's also a storm door and it's on the north side of the house so not too much sunlight. Another key point is that we don't use the door very often, usually the porch door or through the garage to the cars. The house was a rental for the last 3 years and we just moved into it, and the first time we had company we noticed, THE DOOR STINKS.
The exterior surface of the door smells really bad, nothing specific like urine, sweat or rotten eggs. It kind of reminds me of the smell I would notice when I walked into foreclosures that had sat empty for a long time in the summer time. I expect it might be becase the exterior of the door is enclosed between itself and the storm door.
Any ideas on any treatments? I don't want to paint the door, it looks great stained, and I didn't want to try any chemical treatments that might damage the stain? If I can get rid of the smell I'll change the storm door to one that is 1/2 screen with one of the glass panes moveable.
Thanks in advance for your ideas.
Frank
The front door on our house is seldom used, it's a solid wood door, stained, there's also a storm door and it's on the north side of the house so not too much sunlight. Another key point is that we don't use the door very often, usually the porch door or through the garage to the cars. The house was a rental for the last 3 years and we just moved into it, and the first time we had company we noticed, THE DOOR STINKS.
The exterior surface of the door smells really bad, nothing specific like urine, sweat or rotten eggs. It kind of reminds me of the smell I would notice when I walked into foreclosures that had sat empty for a long time in the summer time. I expect it might be becase the exterior of the door is enclosed between itself and the storm door.
Any ideas on any treatments? I don't want to paint the door, it looks great stained, and I didn't want to try any chemical treatments that might damage the stain? If I can get rid of the smell I'll change the storm door to one that is 1/2 screen with one of the glass panes moveable.
Thanks in advance for your ideas.
Frank
#3
07-17-03, 07:21 PM
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Nothing visible. I think I'm just going to spritz it down with some enzyme type cleaner, let it set a few minutes and wipe off. I'll try several applications like that, not long enough to discolor the wood, but long enough for the product to attack anything that might be on there.
I've been kind of busy doing other stuff and this isn't a must do right now kind of priority.
Frank
I've been kind of busy doing other stuff and this isn't a must do right now kind of priority.
Frank
#4
07-17-03, 07:43 PM
I agree with Andy -- it's probably a mold or mildew problem. You might try a solution of about 15 to 20% household bleach with water in a spray bottle and see if that cures it. Get the edges as well as the top and bottom of the door, the jamb, the threshold -- everything. Changing to a door that is partially screened so that you can get ventilation between the doors, once you get rid of the smell, will help.
#5
07-17-03, 09:18 PM
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Frank,
(Agree with you all. Mold and mildew, which can be cleaned.)
There also are little round aluminum screened vents that you can install at the top and bottom of storm doors for ventilation in situations like this. They have little louvers on the outside end to keep the rain out.
You just drill holes (3/4"?...can't remember) through the storm door frame large enough for the little vents, and tap them into place. The ones that I have came natural aluminum color, but you can paint them, if you like.
I found these at a building supply. You might check around for them.
Good Luck!
Mike
(Agree with you all. Mold and mildew, which can be cleaned.)
There also are little round aluminum screened vents that you can install at the top and bottom of storm doors for ventilation in situations like this. They have little louvers on the outside end to keep the rain out.
You just drill holes (3/4"?...can't remember) through the storm door frame large enough for the little vents, and tap them into place. The ones that I have came natural aluminum color, but you can paint them, if you like.
I found these at a building supply. You might check around for them.
Good Luck!
Mike
