Stinky Attached Greenhouse

Just moved into new (to us) home.  It was built in 1950’s, but the greenhouse was added later. We noticed the odor when it rained or when hot/warm.  Based on my nose being up close to all areas of the greenhouse, it seems to be coming from the wood frame. Any ideas to resolve?  I started painting some of the wood, but before I go any further, I wanted some input. Thanks in advance for advice and expertise.

Hi Jessica and welcome to Permies! This is the kind of problem that lots of people here will love to help you solve. They usually have an endless supply of good suggestions. Can you give us some more information. Can you tell what kind of wood it is. Is it nice, clean wood or old gray wood or dark wood?  Do you see any mold?

It can also be helpful to tell us approximately where you live and what is the environment? Hot humid Florida is very different than cold and wet Oregon. Are there plants inside the greenhouse or very nearby outside the greenhouse? And what does the smell remind you of. That can be a huge clue.

And if you can take some pictures that would help even more. And I totally agree that you shouldn't paint it until you get rid of the smell. Congradulations on your new (old) house. I have one of those too.

What sort of smell? That would be helpful.

Is there evidence that is is recycled/reused wood? If the wood was from a barn that housed animals for an extended period, it could be saturated with a stinky urine-ammonia smell. I have experienced this personally (in my case, a chicken coop converted to a garden shed). When it was hot or damp, the smell would come out of the wood. Phew.

Douglas Alpenstock wrote:What sort of smell? That would be helpful.

Is there evidence that is is recycled/reused wood? If the wood was from a barn that housed animals for an extended period, it could be saturated with a stinky urine-ammonia smell. I have experienced this personally (in my case, a chicken coop converted to a garden shed). When it was hot or damp, the smell would come out of the wood. Phew.

Also happens of the previous owner had pets in there.  Dogs, cats, rabbits all can leave that kind of smell.

If it's a standard pine 2x4 framing lumber frame, it is very likely there is rot somewhere you can't easily see, like the backside against the glass.  It will flare from condensation, rain leaks (also very likely in that age of windows) or just high humidity.

First thing to do is make 110% sure you fix all the leaks, THEN work to repair/stabilize/replace the rot.  Many products and methods to fix non structural issues, but you really need to make sure it will still be structurally sound.

Hey Jessica!
If the smell is from mildew, washing the wood down with a Borax solution might help.
if you do find some rot, I've found that replacing the bad bits with bondo can work very well.  

The wood is light in color. I did discover a little mold. It gets very humid here (upstate NY).