Record the date, time, exact location, what people smelled, who reported it, any symptoms, weather, HVAC and water use, and what you did next. Keep one log per property with a follow-up date. A clear record speeds the plumber's diagnosis and protects you in a lease or insurance dispute.
Why the record matters
The EPA's building air quality guide includes a complaint form, an incident log and an occupant interview form. The point is the same for odors: a pattern shows the cause.
What to record
| Field | Example |
|---|---|
| Date and time | Tuesday, 9:40 a.m. |
| Location | Suite 210 restroom, near the floor drain |
| Reporter and contact | Name, unit, phone |
| What they noticed | Rotten egg, sewer, musty, how strong |
| How long | Since Monday, comes and goes |
| Symptoms | Headache, nausea, none |
| Conditions | Ventilation on or off, recent water use, weather, vacancy |
| First action | Poured water into drains, aired out |
| Result | Smell gone or back after how long |
| Follow-up | Plumber scheduled, date |
A simple process
- 1Log the complaint the same day.
- 2Ask the reporter where and when, and whether others noticed.
- 3Fill all traps in the area and note which were dry.
- 4Recheck the next day and log the result.
- 5If it returns, call a plumber and hand over the log.
When to escalate right away
Do not wait for a pattern if people have symptoms. NIOSH lists irritation of the eyes and respiratory system, headache and dizziness among the effects of hydrogen sulfide, and warns that olfactory adaptation means smell cannot be relied on for detection. ATSDR says people can lose their sense of smell after minutes at higher levels. Move people out, ventilate and call. See the first signs of sewer gas exposure.