Sour smelling soil

Hello to evreybody,

I have elevated decking which reaches out and over my garden (well, some of the garden) and from my decking all I can smell is the nasty smell of sour soil. Does anybody have any advice please?

 

lynne, could do with a bit more info.!

1. What is your definition of sour soil?
2. By elevated, how is it constructed, how high, does it have any 'dead cat pockets' or places that might conceal anything nasty underneath?

3. Is the decking well ventilated underneath?
4. Is there any plastic sheeting of the wrong type i.e., non-breathing polythene sheet where the ground could be going rank underneath thro' lack of oxygen?
5. Are you down-wind when your on the decking, and are you sure it isn't coming from outside your garden?

 

Hi there Dag,
Thanks for your reply.

1. The soil smells rank, i'm sure its something to do with bad drainage, but without lifting all of the bottom layer of decking I dont know! It smells sort of like wet pennies, you know the smell I mean? There is nothing metal around there.
2. The back of my house is three stories hight, with the botom level being storage under the house, so the top decking juts out from the house so that my patio door and back door lead directly to it. Underneath this suspended decking I have another area of decking (this is where i think the smell is coming from) It doesn;t get any sunshine or much air circulating round there. There are places where something could die and decompose but the smell isnt anything like that. The storage area under the house (part of the house-like a cellar that is above ground but accessed from outside) doesnt smell at all. The decking is very slippy and covered in algie! Does algie have a metalic smell?
3. No, the ventilation isnt very good, but it is outside!
4. I dont think that there is any plastic sheeting under the lower level of decking, i know that there is a lot of gravel there - perhaps this is waterlogged!
5. The smell definately comes from my decking, the lower level I think.
I look forward to your reply and thank you again.
Lynne

 

the smell of cats is disinctive ... i assume its not that
it is possible that a soil pipe [from loo] or other drain hase got blocked ....... you need to investigate really
in the meantime use Jeyes fluid in the area, this will also help remove algae, and deter cats

 

Too many things to even guess about what it might be. You really need to remove some of the decking and get into the soil/gravel and find the cause. Gravel should be free draining unless there is a clay layer underneath or an impervious membrane is allowing stagnant water to pool. Dry rot has a typical smell of mushrooms but needs to be investigated too. It sounds like you have some hydrogen sulphide being produced (rotten egg smell) which in small concentrations can smell metallic. Wood treatments can also have a lingering smell which will be worse on humid still days. Vermin will also cause a smell. As I said - too many to guess at.

I would also caution against any chemical treatment (bleach, disinfectant etc) untill you know what the cause is otherwise you may mask it.

[ 17. March 2006, 10:02 AM: Message edited by: frogesque ]

 

From your description, not much sun,and quite damp in that area, and looking at previous posts, it looks as if you need to take up the decking for 2 reasons:

a) to investigate underneath and help air it.

b) make it easier to install drainage pipes to a soakaway, the lack of which is probably your problem. Not expensive, but a lot of work! :(

IMHO

 

Thank you all,
Its going to be a backbreaker I know. And such a shame to take up the decking on the lower level because i'm bound to break some of it! I think I might replace the lower decking with some paving of some kind, something that isn't pourous, after I have got rid of the smell of course. I have a sneaky feeling that the builder who did the decking (it cost a blooming fortune) used non porous plastic sheeting underneath the gravel!!!! I was wondering if I should put an ad in the local paper, 'bloke required for one day's disgusting, backbreaking, smelly almost impossible job' but I dont think I would get many replies!!!!!!! I think your probably right DAG when you mention drainage. Thats what I think it is, but I suppose I was hoping for a simpler, less bothersome cause and cure.
One thing I forgot to mention FROGESQUE is that it doesnt smell in the warmer months, only during winter. The decking is only about 3 years old so I dont think its any kind of rot.
Thanks to you all again for the help.
When the weather has changed (yes its snowing again) I will take some pictures because I also need help in the design of the garden, its so difficult to describe because of it being on three different levels which slope away from the house. Difficult to describe and difficult to manage.
Take care xx

 

As with any timber airflow is important. Your decking should be on a brick/block or concrete subframe ideally with a damp membrane. If it is just resting on the earth it would be prone to damness. I personally don't like them the ones I have seen become slippy, in our damp winter weather, after just a few years. I do not think they are suitable for older people [like me]

 

Hi again,
Thanks nixon for the link. How on earth do you manage to read the print on that site? I can only make out the heading!!!

Hans, i'm old as well!!!!!!! What makes it more unsafe is the fact that the steps leading down to the lower decking are made of decking wood too! but it is really well made, with handrails and railings its all very pretty really, but not at all practical. If its a nice day tomorrow I will take some pictures and try to post them on here, then you will all know what i'm talking about.I like your picture by the way.

 

Hi lynne, your house sounds facinating, I would love to see pictures. I also have an odd garden, sloping up from the house, very long and narrow. Lovely view from the top though!

 

Don't know what the problem you're finding is, Lynne - it's ok for me!!

 

Lynne for my two pennyworth - I would go with the lower decking not being laid on a well drained surface with ventilation. Wouldn't be at all surprised if the smell is due to the rotting of the (?treated) frame - plus anything (like a rat) decomposing under the deck. As its not in the basement - its clearly coming from the lower deck - so getting that up and looked at would seem the only alternative.

There are some good timber people around - but its going to cost methinks :(