When Painting Gives You Gas [Odors]
After remodeling, the game of making your home whole again begins. This includes making lists of small to-do’s for a handyman to clean, touch-up and reconnect. But, there is one rather strange, yet normal, thing that can occur and it has alarmed many a homeowner: a strong, nasty, nose-scrunching, jet-fuel smelling gas odor.
If you have a gas dryer, stove or heater and have just painted, this strong diesel fuel smell is likely to waft through the halls of your home and freak you the freak out.
It’s bad, y’all. It can even make the clothes in your gas dryer smell.
I found a great thread on this topic that I’ve included below that explains this phenomenon well. Even though there is an explanation, as always when it comes to gas, better safe than sorry.
KEROSENE ODORS AND OR DIESEL FUMES ODOR.
The kerosene odor is usually nothing to worry about. Especially if you are presently or have been recently using an type of petroleum based and or oil based product.
It’s a common after effect of using such products and usually the result of some petroleum product recently used in the home. Could be an oil based paint, a stain, wood finishing or sealer product, adhesive, sealant and or any such product, etc.
Any product that contains a flammable solvent or oil based product will do this. I bet you had one of those products used in the home recently. Prior to this, the odor didn’t exist and it will be gone as soon as the product dries and or cures.
Until such a time as any of these type products dries and or cures, the best thing to do is ventilate the house as best as possible.
If clothes retain the smell after drying, at the end of the drying cycle, use the “No Heat” or “Fluff” cycle for about 10 minutes to ventilate the fumes before removing the clothes.
There are usually a few easy ways to determine if the problem is caused by an appliance.
There is always the rare possiblity that an appliance is not burning the fuel properly. Especially when the odor seems to appear only when that one appliance is in operation is one clue the appliance may have a burner problem.
Another clue is if any petroleum based and or oil based product has been recently used indoors or in an nearby room or area.
If the odor problem did not appear prior to any petroleum based and or oil based product was used.
If you have any doubts or none of the above conditions applies, contact your local gas utility and ask them for an appliance service check to determine the cause.
The phone number to the gas company and or propane supplier will be on your bill.
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