Need help with mystery oil residue

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Propeller

Propeller

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I moved into a building a year ago now that was once an old auto body shop. Since i've moved in i've found yello stains on the floor, on my dining table, on the kitchen counter. I thought the issue might go away eventually but it seems to only be getting worse. The substance is a yellow, watery liquid with a fowl smell. When it dries it crinkles. I've had a home inspector, real estate agent and other handy men by to see if they could possibly shed some light but everyone is scratching their heads.

The strange thing is, i've never actually seen the liquid come out of the walls or ceiling. It just appears and happens about 2-3 times a week. It must squirt out at times as it leaves a splatter on things around it. I'm at a loss, if anyone can please help i'd appreciate it
 
Do you have an air duct HVAC system?

Could be an old meth lab?

Interesting. Call an indoor air quality specialist. IAQ in your area is what you need. They will take air samples and find out what it is.
Good luck.
 
Leave some peanut butter or cheese out and see what happens to it.

Put down several layers of newspapers to capture some of it. See if it comes from underneath the paper, or on top.

It's only on horizontal surfaces?

Do water droplets bead up on it or soak in?

See if it's flammable. There are also simple checks for pH.

Your version of the EPA might be interested in this case. There are "electronic noses" but they are mostly built to detect explosives.

Any high school chemistry teacher may be able to devise more tests, perhaps using Reagent - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Do you live near a university?
Chromatography - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
At least you'll know what you're up against.
 
Last edited:
Propeller said:
Since i've moved in i've found yello stains on the floor, on my dining table, on the kitchen counter. I thought the issue might go away eventually but it seems to only be getting worse. The substance is a yellow, watery liquid with a fowl smell. When it dries it crinkles...

The strange thing is, i've never actually seen the liquid come out of the walls or ceiling.
Click to expand...


I'm thinking that some unauthorized person is sharing your living space with you without your knowing it.

Don't laugh. I heard about it on T.V., and it's more prevalent than you may think.

You may want to set up a webcam to monitor the goings-on while you are not home.

You may also want to post your query on the unsolvedmysteries.com website. Again, don't laugh. Someone in the reading audience just may have the answer which you seek.
 
Wow that is messed up. Is the structure a garage looking thing? a metal building? what type of construction? Is it possible it's from the second floor? is it in the same spots? What was the building prior to it beings a autobody shop?
what kind of a foul smell? the EPA and also hazmat teams have a "magic answer box" You put some stuff on it and it tells you what it is. I saw one of these about 5 years ago. It picked out sugar and shampoo. It even had the type of shampoo.
 
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