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| How do I eliminate tobacco smoke residue and odor? |
This has been a regular question to our organization. Let’s start with how the contaminant is applied: air-borne smoke that contains tar, nicotine and carcinogens. Since it is a gas with chemical particulate, it flows with air currents and deposits on all surfaces; inside air ducts and mechanical equipment, air leaks behind cabinets and fixtures, colder surfaces that increase convection air currents, on all personal property and on and in every human body exposed to the smoke externally and internally. The total interior environment and everyone and everything inside the environment are affected – the scope of this cleaning project is all inclusive. And the odor? Cleaning is the basis of all odor removal. One cannot remove odor without cleaning the affected surface(s). Where do we begin? We wash and re-wash all surfaces with a strong cleaning agent with the intent of painting and refinishing finished surfaces. Trisodium phosphate or a butyl-based cleaning agent with a strong pH is preferred. The visual difference between dirty and clean surfaces is an easy visual guideline and the color and smell of the cleaning solution in the bucket is a good indicator. Next, prime and seal the cleaned surface (there are a number of good primers and sealers available – we prefer the Zinzzer line of products) and paint or finish the affected surfaces. If the surface is cleaned and sealed properly, painting or finishing is a cosmetic step. We wash (and seal, if necessary) the inside of cabinets, closets, cupboards and all exposed cavities. Smoke behaves by a physical law of science known as Boyle’s Law of Gases. It will fill all spaces within a confined environment from the top down. We therefore emphasize the interior surfaces of upper cabinets, upper areas of closets, cupboards and other exposed cavities. Removing, cleaning the back of the upper cabinets and the finished or unfinished wall behind the cabinets, sealing and painting of these surfaces has been needed in many projects in the past. Many of the HVAC system components must be washed (registers, sheet metal, mechanical equipment and main plenum). Ducting must be cleaned and sealed with an EPA approved encapsulate. Here’s the kicker – and it is presented before any work is performed: we do not guarantee complete odor removal with this service. SOS maintains that we will achieve 85% to 95% odor abatement with this service but some pockets of odor will remain. Fortunately, there is no such thing as a permanent odor in nature and the remaining odor will dissipate naturally, especially if suspect areas are exposed to adequate or excessive ventilation. Sometimes, additional cleaning, sealing and painting is needed.
Last update: 07:04 AM Tuesday, September 2, 2008 |
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