4 Surprising Reasons Your Home’s Exterior Might Smell Terrible
Just as Sophia from The Golden Girls would start out a story, picture this: it’s a gorgeous sunny day, and you step outside to enjoy your yard, expecting fresh air and a bit of peace. But instead, you’re greeted by an unwelcome aroma that makes you question every life choice that brought you to this moment.
It’s not the compost, and the bins are empty, so where is that awful smell coming from? You put all this work into making your home’s exterior look gorgeous, but only to deal with this. Beauty and bad smells just don’t go together, of course.
Well, the answer might surprise you. Sometimes, the culprits are hiding in plain sight. So, here’s exactly what you need to know!
There Might Be Some Trapped Moisture
While sure, water might seem harmless, when it’s hanging around where it shouldn’t, it’s a recipe for stink- as in, those foul odors. So, moisture collecting in gutters, under your deck, or in low spots in your yard can quickly turn into a breeding ground for mildew, mold, or algae. Unfortunately, when those take hold, your yard won’t smell like a meadow after a rainstorm.
Ideally, you’re going to want to check spots where water likes to linger. For example, are there decomposing leaves in clogged gutters? Do you have moldy puddles under your patio? Well, they’re the perfect culprits (and most likely the entire cause). Basically, it only comes down to proper drainage, so be sure to keep an eye on that.
It Might Be Your Trash Bins
Your trash can is pretty much the workhorse of modern life if you really think about it. But even the hardest-working bin can betray you if it’s not looked after. Okay, this should be obvious, and actually, this is what most homeowners will look into if they immediately notice a smell right when they’re stepping out of their house.
So, your trash bin most likely has residue from food scraps, spills, or that mystery liquid at the bottom builds up. Yes, even if your trash is always in bags and it’s tied up, well, things can still leak. Plus, those gases within the bin are going to build up over time, too.
A lot of people will look into a trash can cleaning service, or they might clean it themselves (but be careful when doing that). But a good washing is really one of the best ways to give it a “reset.”
Pets and Their Scented Contributions
While yes, pets are adorable, they’re also odour-generating machines (and shedding machines). If your cat or dog is doing their business on your lawn, well, that’s all going to accumulate. Ideally, you’re going to have to wash down those areas where your pets are “doing their business” and maybe even look into some sprays to keep scents at bay.
Nature’s Rotten Surprises
Well, here’s the thing: not all smells are man-made. Actually, Mother Nature sometimes lends a hand in the worst way possible. For example, overripe fruit falling from trees, decomposing garden plants, or that pile of forgotten yard waste can all create a stink that would make even a skunk proud. You don’t even need to have fruit, but just dying leaves are enough to produce bad smells.
