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buying an indian house and curry

corey4

corey4

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 11, 2012
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pittsburgh pa
the Warden and i have been looking for a house for a few years. a house came to market in an area we both agree with. the only good thing is there are quite a few like minded folk, my sons best friend (for now, he's almost 11) and a few other hockey families in the cul-de-sac . on google maps, there appears to be dirt bike trails in the woods that connect to larger trail systems. the problem is there were about 12 people living there for 8 years and the smell of curry is......well.....there. i did a quick google search on removing the smell and it doesn't seem promising. it's an oil based spice and it covers everything. we are thinking of offering 110K less than asking price just because. the house has been on the market for just under 3 months and the 2 families we are close with are 2 doors down, each way.

does anyone here have any experience with this?
 
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Lmao, that sucks.

Curry abatement?

What is the remedy for bad cigarette smell in house?
 
Fabrics are what hold most household... aromas... We had 2 dogs for 6 years in our house when we put it on the market. Our realtor was surprised when he walked into our house because it didn’t stink of dogs. Tile/hard wood floors instead of carpet, and real wood and leather instead of upholstered furniture. The house still had that new house smell.

All I am saying is that all is not lost if the house has a smell, but you may be looking at replacing the most likely sources of lingering smells (carpet mostly)...
 
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hlee said:
Fabrics are what hold most household... aromas... Tile/hard wood floors instead of carpet, and real wood and leather instead of upholstered furniture. ... looking at replacing the most likely sources of lingering smells (carpet mostly)...
Click to expand...


...and Kilz primer on all the drywall... Wear a mask
 
Last edited:
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In all seriousness, the place probably needs to be cleaned thoroughly first, top to bottom - like seriously scrubbed. After cleaning, primer, paint. Carpets, drapes replaced. No small task, but it's not a 100k job. I would make a few calls to get a decent idea what all that would cost in your area.
 
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corey4 said:
the Warden and i have been looking for a house for a few years. a house came to market in an area we both agree with. the only good thing is there are quite a few like minded folk, my sons best friend (for now, he's almost 11) and a few other hockey families in the cul-de-sac . on google maps, there appears to be dirt bike trails in the woods that connect to larger trail systems. the problem is there were about 12 people living there for 8 years and the smell of curry is......well.....there. i did a quick google search on removing the smell and it doesn't seem promising. it's an oil based spice and it covers everything. we are thinking of offering 110K less than asking price just because. the house has been on the market for just under 3 months and the 2 families we are close with are 2 doors down, each way.

does anyone here have any experience with this?
Click to expand...

Just put a 'VACANCY' sign in the window and pretend you're on vacation 🤣
 
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1) toss all carpet and strip wall paper if any; 2) sand hardwood floors; 3) clean all surfaces like crazy—do not mix bleach and ammonia indoors—Pinesol is supposed to be good; 4) Febreze all surfaces; 5) seal floors; 6) stain-killing primer on walls and ceiling. Good luck.
 
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I bet that stink is in the insulation also. Good luck.

that would be a hard pass for me. Lived in a neighborhood full of those people all growing up. On their holidays the whole neighborhood reeked.
 
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Kilz, paint (everything, like it was just built yesterday) all carpet, drapes, blinds - gone. And as much cleaning as possible to the air ducts.
 
Most of the above are good suggestions. I was a commercial HVAC engineer/contractor for over 40 years and dealt with many odor mitigation challenges such as jet fuel at airports, diesel fumes and believe it or not, even pancake/waffle odors (Krusteaz plant). Most of the odor mitigation can be accomplished as detailed above i.e. remove carpet and any other fabrics like drapes, and yes, Kilz primer works great. One other suggestion, what is the HVAC system in the house?
If it is some sort of forced air furnace/heat pump ducted system, then get a professional to clean the duct system, especially if there is any internal duct liner (usually on the return air side) what we call in the biz as "sound liner" if so, this should be replaced which could get pricey because now you're tearing out some duct work as well. Then I would also look at replacing the filtration media with something with activated charcoal impregnated filters or better yet, adding a charcoal filter section. Unfortunately this would also likely require duct mods and may even require changing out the air handler/furnace to one that can handle a higher duct static pressure loss. Bottom line, get a professional HVAC entity involved and get a few estimates. I hate to dump on the industry, but a lot of local HVAC residential guys are scam artists and only one step above used car salesmen and ambulance chasing lawyers.
Feel free to PM me if you need other help.
 
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Ill second this. After all the other items have been painted, removed and cleaned get the AC duct and air handler unit cleaned. Swapping or removing and cleaning the supply and return grills is a must. The liner/ duct replacement should be last if the initial cleaning does not work. Don't for get to wash all of the windows and wipe down or replace the ceiling fans as well.

tomcatmv said:
Most of the above are good suggestions. I was a commercial HVAC engineer/contractor for over 40 years and dealt with many odor mitigation challenges such as jet fuel at airports, diesel fumes and believe it or not, even pancake/waffle odors (Krusteaz plant). Most of the odor mitigation can be accomplished as detailed above i.e. remove carpet and any other fabrics like drapes, and yes, Kilz primer works great. One other suggestion, what is the HVAC system in the house?
If it is some sort of forced air furnace/heat pump ducted system, then get a professional to clean the duct system, especially if there is any internal duct liner (usually on the return air side) what we call in the biz as "sound liner" if so, this should be replaced which could get pricey because now you're tearing out some duct work as well. Then I would also look at replacing the filtration media with something with activated charcoal impregnated filters or better yet, adding a charcoal filter section. Unfortunately this would also likely require duct mods and may even require changing out the air handler/furnace to one that can handle a higher duct static pressure loss. Bottom line, get a professional HVAC entity involved and get a few estimates. I hate to dump on the industry, but a lot of local HVAC residential guys are scam artists and only one step above used car salesmen and ambulance chasing lawyers.
Feel free to PM me if you need other help.
Click to expand...
 
the carpets are trashed and need replaced anyways. the curtains they left are hideous, so those gotta go, the ceiling fans are ugly so those gotta go as well. i already said we need to wash the walls, not just wipe them down, but wash them. the walls, ceiling, base boards all need repainted. they are pretty marked up. i thought of the air ducts as well. i didn't think of the insulation.
 
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It would be nice to know what kind of subflooring is under the carpet. If it's particle board you'll want to budget having that replaced w/ plywood. I bet you could get permission to have a carpet installer peel back / reinstall a couple places to check.
 
I'll reach out to our friends that have been in their houses and see if they can identify the subfloor
 
I bought a house that had a similar issue. fresh paint, fresh carpet, good cleaning. Problem solved. Make sure you clean the top of the cabinets. the grease sits on top of them. That was probably the biggest issue with the smell. if it is really bad, use kilz n the sub floor after you rip out the carpet.
 
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Do what the water and fire restoration guys do. Buy a $100 ozone generator (7000 to 10,000 mils per hour) go room by room, cool temps low humidity are best. With the room closed up set a fan behind the generator and run it 6 times for 10min, airing out in between. This will not only destroy all odors but any mold, bacteria, viruses and even gnats. If you have a forced air HVAC turn on the AC. This will clean the duct work as well. This is one I have. I used to make them, but you can't beat this.
VIVOSUN Industrial Commercial Ozone Generator, 10000mg/h O3 Air Purifier, Home Air Ionizers Machine for Rooms, Hotels and Farms
 
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Zinzer binz in better than kilz. Available at home depot. If there is a concrete slab, paint that thing too. Dont forget about duct cleaning, coil on the ac and the worst part is the cabinets, they will hold on to smells for a long time. Odoban MIGHT help, but prob not the civilian shit, hire a real company, it should be a lot better.

forgot about ozone machines. As someone else mentioned. They work great! But deep smells can come back.
 
Get remarried to a Indian Woman to avoid all that work of removing the curry smell.
 
Eat at Taco Bell for a week.

Your asshole will be wrecked and you will be missing the smell of curry.
 
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I've read this whole thread, now I've got a hankering for some indian food...
 
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you could try cooking some other nations food that has a stronger sent mmm burnt garlic and curry mix blackened fish over cooked garlic and chicken and curry that could be a winner wet dog old cat and skunk that would make you forget all about the curry smell hands down good luck getting rid of the unwanted odder .
 
OldSalty2 said:
All good suggestions.

But one step further might be required...

Demolition team to tear down house. Then rebuid new. No smell.
Click to expand...
Was close to what I was going to suggest. IF the property is worth the price of admission, burn the F'r down and build new. Then you can make it smell the way you and/or the family, wants it to smell.
Mac(y)(y)
 
I love Chana Masala!

1601398848736.png


Alu Gobi

1601398895404.png


Butter Chicken

1601398946214.png


Chicken Tikka

1601399058981.png


And of course some Garlic Naan.

1601399103349.png


Don't fight it man. Get your Indian on! :cool:

Or you can just by half a dozen Durian's and crack'm open and strategically place them around. You'll forget all about the Curry real fast.

1601399517195.png


Follow me for more life Hacks.
 
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Use the shellac(oil) based Kilz or Zinnser. They make a water based - no good. Might need to gut kitchen, that's called a remodel. And not to be racist, but Indians often "shortcut" on home maintenance, have a good inspector check everything.
 
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hollowoutadime said:
Use the shellac(oil) based Kilz or Zinnser. They make a water based - no good. Might need to gut kitchen, that's called a remodel. And not to be racist, but Indians often "shortcut" on home maintenance, have a good inspector check everything.
Click to expand...

Our agent highly suggested the home inspection for that same reason.
 
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What could possibly go wrong.....y'all are racists....besides, everyone knows that Thai curries are the best.
 

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I know someone who moved into something similiar but it was asian food instead of curry. The previous owners basically cooked everything on a wok all day, every day and either didn't believe in a vent or the vent just didn't come up. There was a color difference in the ceiling paint above the fucking kitchen from it.

They had the drywall in the kitchen completely removed and trashed most of the appliances. The stove hood was basically filled with grease and how they didn't manage to burn the house down is beyond me.

For the rest of the house they took out all carpet (which I'd do anyways, because you never know whats in it) and had it repainted. The painter they used was made aware of the issue and said they had special primer/paint that would solve the issue.

They had the entire house cleaned (walls and all) and then ran an ozone generator for a few days before any construction and paint started.

If I remember right, they had the entire kitchen vent that goes out of the roof pulled and replaced as well.
 
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Paint with primer coat, removal of carpet, air-duct cleaning, full HVAC clean - all will go a long way to reducing that smell. Worse case you may have to replace ductwork.
 
Think of all the unwanted house guests who will stop dropping in.
 
Actually, the appliances look damn near brand new. The ovens, stove top, microwave, dish washer all look to have very little use. The fridge is iffy. The kitchen will get redone, but not right away.
 
Simple Green breaks down oil. I use it in the carpet cleaner, laundry, hardwood floor cleaner, dish washer, shower cleaner (soap scum), and so on. Most auto parts stores sell it in 5 gal containers.
Maybe a professional cleaning service? Fire and water damage cleanup crew?
 
Mk16.5 said:
Do what the water and fire restoration guys do. Buy a $100 ozone generator (7000 to 10,000 mils per hour) go room by room, cool temps low humidity are best. With the room closed up set a fan behind the generator and run it 6 times for 10min, airing out in between. This will not only destroy all odors but any mold, bacteria, viruses and even gnats. If you have a forced air HVAC turn on the AC. This will clean the duct work as well. This is one I have. I used to make them, but you can't beat this.
VIVOSUN Industrial Commercial Ozone Generator, 10000mg/h O3 Air Purifier, Home Air Ionizers Machine for Rooms, Hotels and Farms
Click to expand...

this is what is done in the college apartment living business to kill pet and smoke odors. Ozone it up good and then air it out. Car dealers use this for used cars as well.
 
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Ughhh yeah, I got a townhouse and I scrubbed the stainless steel appliances. I still keep finding it. I don't smell it, but I know it's there. I've replaced half of the appliances since then. It's just caked on there and like super adhesive. Guess I should have tried Goo Gone or Zeps Orange Stuff. I'll try it and report back. I guess alcohol and paper towels and scrub pads wasn't the best option.
 
Get a wood stove.

By next year, it will smell like smoke. Problem solved!

Seriously... may need some sheetrock replaced. Carpets. Stucco. Flooring.

Hey, if you like the house, get it. One of the oldest sayings is that you can fix everything but ugly.

Cheers,

Sirhr
 
sirhrmechanic said:
Get a wood stove.

By next year, it will smell like smoke. Problem solved!

Seriously... may need some sheetrock replaced. Carpets. Stucco. Flooring.

Hey, if you like the house, get it. One of the oldest sayings is that you can fix everything but ugly.

Cheers,

Sirhr
Click to expand...

Ha! I jokingly told the Warden we need to get a wood burner and burn lots of cherry do it smells like deer camp.
 
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sirhrmechanic said:
Get a wood stove.

By next year, it will smell like smoke. Problem solved!

Seriously... may need some sheetrock replaced. Carpets. Stucco. Flooring.

Hey, if you like the house, get it. One of the oldest sayings is that you can fix everything but ugly.

Cheers,

Sirhr
Click to expand...


You can fix ugly, can't fix stupid. Ugly can be expensive, stupid just keeps hurting.



Take up smoking. No sense of smell, and no problem!
 
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My Indian friend would keep their clothes and coats in plastic wardrobes because of this. Many will have another kitchen in the garage or outside for actual cooking.
 
A 2 year old PO discussing an age old issue... Live long enough and we all have faced similar situations.
I appreciate the comments from the "Professional's" who commented... All good.
Seems the majority of suggestions rely on covering up the odor.
As temperatures / humidity / wind direction change a structure breaths.
The reality is that odor will never go away. Close up the house and go away for a 2 week vacation and the smell will be there when you walk in.
Now, the psychological aspect. In your mind, that odor has become etched. Your mind will replay that memory. It will not go away.
One of the guy's (above) used the term "a hard pass".... Very fitting.
Another aspect of life. If you grab this house, within a few months a diamond in the rough will come on the market in the same neighborhood.
You asked for opinions. My opinion is to pass on this one, gather more money for a down payment and be patient.
JMHO
 
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