Help with musty smell

[shelleysnyde]

Hello everyone,

I am new to the forum. I live full-time in a 2006 Safari. I had a musty smell in the cabinet below the frig and then. I had a mobile repair come out, they replaced the sureflow valve that was leaking (where the hose goes into the rv for water). It was leaking between the aluminum skin but manifested itself by a drip outside gray tank cover. This was over 6 weeks ago and the musty smell remains, sometimes, better sometimes worse. Now I smell in the coach too. I had the repair service come again and he found nothing.

Any suggestions on what might be my problem?

I appreciate any help!

Shelley S

[SteveH]

May be mold from the water leak. Do everything you can to dry out the inside, use Fabreeze on the fabrics, open a box of baking soda and leave in the suspect area, and pour some vinegar in a shallow pan and leave it out.

[JConsroe]

I suggest getting a moisture meeter and probing the floor to see if you have some wet floors in that cabinet or elsewhere. Then get access to a dehumidifier and direct the airflow into that cabinet. Follow up with a couple silica get packs to keep it dry.

[Lily&Me]

I have just had that problem under the rear bench where I keep a small pantry of food.

There had been condensation from very cold temps early in this trip.

I emptied everything out, cleaned the area thoroughly and inspected for mold and mildew.

I found and threw away several boxes of pasta which had gotten damp and molded...ugh!...because I had failed to empty them from the boxes into ziploc bags, as I usually do.

Finding no surface mold or mildew, I wiped it all down with my favorite cleaner...PineSol ....and put my small space heater to the area for several hours.

Seems to have resolved the problem. Getting it thoroughly dry is the critical part.

Good luck,


Maggie

[bwoodtx]

A couple of charcoal briquets crushed and in a plastic dish works well also as well as coffee grounds.

[shelleysnyde]

Thanks for the replies everyone, appreciate. I am going to try the baking soda, as I can't use chemicals. If it doesn't go away (headache as we speak) unfortunately next step is tow to shop (there should be a $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ emoticon!

[NavyCorpsman]

Dry rice works great too. Just unceremoniously dump a big bag over the area. Over a couple of days it will absorb most of the water. (works to dry out a cell phone too)
Ozium makes one of those canister moisture/odor eliminators. Makes it smell nice while it dries out. Bueno Suerte. And Welcome!

[slowmover]

Clean as directed. Check with moisture meter. Dry with forced air and/or low humidity. Rent or borrow an ozone generator to use with HVAC fan.

If you haven't treated for insects lately, then do so prior to 0 treatment.

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by shelleysnyde

Thanks for the replies everyone, appreciate. I am going to try the baking soda, as I can't use chemicals. If it doesn't go away (headache as we speak) unfortunately next step is tow to shop (there should be a $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ emoticon!

The odor in mine gave me a headache, too.

You've checked thoroughly for something actively molding/mildewing??

It sounds like an active problem rather than just dampness....just speaking from my own experience....because it is getting worse.


Maggie

[shelleysnyde]

Hi Steve, I have never heard of a moisture detector, is it something industrial you rent, buy? Will do online search too.

[shelleysnyde]

Hi Maggie, can't find any moisture, very frustrating, maybe something else is going on besides result of valve leak, having friend come to take wood seat off bench near the area to see if we can find anything.

[Cannonball]

I think Bruce in his "bwoodtx" post means for you to use dry coffee! Just sayin'.

[shelleysnyde]

by forced air do you mean ac? MIne is roof unit, I'm in Arizona and now in high 70's low 80's so can't run heat. I will try a small fan and put in area. thanks

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by shelleysnyde

Hi Maggie, can't find any moisture, very frustrating, maybe something else is going on besides result of valve leak, having friend come to take wood seat off bench near the area to see if we can find anything.

That's a good idea.

Get some heat and air in there....leave it all open for a day or two if you can.

Keep us posted.


Maggie

[streaminwild]

Sonin moisture #50211 on amazon $28.03

[RangerJay]

If you cannot find an obvious source then check out your grey water vent - if the internal flap is not sealing properly it will let out a very musty odour. Replacing the vent is easy and very inexpensive - just a few dollars - you can pick up at your local hardware store - no tools should be needed - it is unlikely to be more than hand tight.

We went through exactly the frustrations you describe last year. Not sure where it is on the 22 but in our Bambi it is located under the bed in the storage compartment - the musty odour it generated was most noticeable several feet away under the fridge.

It will look something like the picture below.


Jay

[TomKirk]

After you've tried everything else, rent an ozone machine for a few days. O-3 is toxic, so you'll hafta move out while it's on.

There mustn't be any sparks of any kind. Be sure to turn off all propane and all electric. Close all windows and doors. Go on vacation for a few days.

They use these in car dealerships for stinky used cars. Ever wonder why a used car can smell so fresh?? It's the ozone machine.

Good luck.

Tom

[JConsroe]

You can get a moisture meeter on amazon paid like 25 bucks for ours

[shelleysnyde]

Jay thanks, I am going to check on this.

[shelleysnyde]

Tom, have ozoned and will be doing again today, thanks