Nashville Home Inspections | Middle Tennessee
A home inspection in Nashville is not just about what we see.
It’s also about what we smell.
There are two odors that no home inspector in Middle Tennessee will ignore. And both can point to serious problems.
1. The Smell of Sewer Gas
If a house smells like sewage, you probably guessed it, something is wrong.
That smell can mean:
- A broken or leaking drain pipe
- A loose toilet seal
- A dry plumbing trap
- A damaged vent pipe
- Waste is leaking into the crawlspace
In many Nashville homes, especially those with crawlspaces, plumbing lines run under the floor. If a pipe cracks or separates, sewer gases can escape into the crawlspace and move into the home.
It may also mean something is not draining properly.
Either way, sewer gas is not normal. During a home inspection in Middle Tennessee, we track down the source.
2. The Smell of Natural Gas
Natural gas is used in many Nashville homes for furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, and stoves.
Here’s something most people don’t know: natural gas has no smell on its own.
Utility companies add a strong odor on purpose. That “rotten egg” smell is so that you can detect a leak.
If you smell that distinct odor inside (and you didn’t leave eggs on the counter too long), it could mean:
If you smell gas inside or around a home, it can mean:
- A loose gas connection
- A damaged gas line
- A leaking appliance
Gas leaks are dangerous. They can lead to fire or explosion. That’s why a licensed home inspector will never ignore that smell. If we detect it during a Nashville home inspection, it gets immediate attention.
3. Why This Matters During a Home Inspection
Most home inspection defects are visible. Which is why we always claim a home inspection is a “visible only” inspection. But we aren’t ignoring smells while in the home.
Sewer gas and natural gas leaks may not show obvious signs. But the smell is a warning. And, during a home inspection in Nashville, TN, we pay attention to all of it.
If something smells off, it probably is.
Experience the DILIGENT Difference
With DILIGENT, you can understand the value of your potential home investment by skipping the guesswork and gathering deeper information about your new home with our detailed reports provided the same day as your inspection.
