a coworker who recently bought a home has moved in and noticed a strong cigarette odor. She wants to remove this odor. I recommended washing the walls and using Kilz. Are there any other suggestions?
Thank you!
a coworker who recently bought a home has moved in and noticed a strong cigarette odor. She wants to remove this odor. I recommended washing the walls and using Kilz. Are there any other suggestions?
Thank you!
Use proper prep and flashing details to install weathertight windows before the water-resistive barrier goes on.
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Replies
Wash or have washed anything that is removable, drapes, rugs, furniture covers, etc. I used TSP in the wash. Scrub anything washable, woodwork, walls, tile, with TSP in hot water. This may deglaze some surfaces so test first. Rent an ozone machine if you can leave the space unoccupied. 24 hrs to 72 hrs of treatment. This may damage rubber goods. Hanging packets of zeolite helps with easier jobs and is safe. I have also had luck using citrus based solvent cleaners but these to may attack some surfaces, especially some paint.
I know this because I was the main clean up guy for several years at a local bar. When I started the place reeked of tar and nicotine and hadn't been cleaned for 15+ years. The grunge was a full 1/8" thick in spots. I bought 20 lbs of TSP to start. HOT water was the key. Strong rubber gloves help if you like the way your hands look. The first 2 days I just about removed my fingerprints. With hands raw, cracked and bleeding I became a believer in gloves. A stiff solution in a pump up sprayer and a stiff, long handled brush helped. Don't get any of this stuff in your eyes. Use goggles as needed.
If there are carpets in the house, rent a carpet cleaner and wash with a solution of water and vinager. Say 2 cups to the 3 gallon tank.
Rip out the ductwork and replace with new.
Guaranteed to be contaminated with tar and nicotene.
Better yet, rip out the entire HVAC system and start fresh.
If the unit is old, now is the time to consider it before filling up the house.