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I need advice on the right professional to call about an issue we're having with our condo. Our unit has but one shared wall. Last summer the unit behind ours was sold and the new neighbors cooking odor literally fills up our entire unit... all three floors... every room and closet... for hours after their done cooking... every other day or more!
We approached our HOA board about the issue, but we were told we are on our own. We debated moving and trying to sell the place, but 1) We think we might have a problem selling the unit because of the smell 2) We still really like our place if it weren't for the neighbors' cooking.
We decided at this point we just need to solve the issue ourselves, but we don't know what kind of professional to hire...
Do we hire a HVAC? Do we hire a general contractor? Is there any other professional we need to hire? Please help us, it's stressing out my husband which stresses me out!
Super easy fix. Call an HVAC guy and have him install a 6 or 8" fresh air intake to the return air. It will pressurize the condo everytime the unit comes on forcing the smell out. It also keeps fresh air in the condo which is a lot healthier than stale air. It can also relieve winter condensation on the windows if you have the problem. Should cost you less than 100 bucks.
Didn't the former neighbors cook? Or is this a distinct odor like curry?
We don't think the previous owners were home much... they did cook meat that we could smell, but not very often. But, yes, the new neighbors are Indian and they cook traditional foods of their culture... the garlic and onions are very, very strong. They don't always make curry, but there are a few recipes that they will sometimes make on the weekends, I think they must be for special occasion or something, but they end up cooking them for half the day and they are the strongest.
I think they are great neighbors, and it has NOTHING to do with them, but it's not normal for this to happen. It's very, very bad. Sometimes you can smell it a full day later... I bet you their house doesn't even smell as strong as ours... it's literally like we are their duct system or something.
Super easy fix. Call an HVAC guy and have him install a 6 or 8" fresh air intake to the return air. It will pressurize the condo everytime the unit comes on forcing the smell out. It also keeps fresh air in the condo which is a lot healthier than stale air. It can also relieve winter condensation on the windows if you have the problem. Should cost you less than 100 bucks.
Thank you! We weren't sure. It smells like it's coming in from every outlet and the wall itself.
Do you have separate Hvac / air con systems?. If not and you are sharing duct work, then you are pretty much screwed. If the Hvac is completely independent, then it must be a pressure issue where air from the stinky unit is pulled in thru any nooks and cranny into your unit.
Re
I heard leaving out vinegar can lessen smells. But by now, your carpets, drapes and any soft material are already soaked in with the smell so remove all of that when you try to sell. Weather is getting nice so keep windows open as much as possible.
We had neighbors in the next apartment who cooked with curry. We only got the odor in our bathroom and could manage it by closing the bathroom door and running the vent fan. Have you tried odor neutralizer equipment or products?
Do you have separate Hvac / air con systems?. If not and you are sharing duct work, then you are pretty much screwed. If the Hvac is completely independent, then it must be a pressure issue where air from the stinky unit is pulled in thru any nooks and cranny into your unit.
Re
I heard leaving out vinegar can lessen smells. But by now, your carpets, drapes and any soft material are already soaked in with the smell so remove all of that when you try to sell. Weather is getting nice so keep windows open as much as possible.
We do have separate duct work, but there is only a very superficial wall (basically plywood) that separates their unit from ours when you get to the attic. That's why we don't know if it's only an HVAC guy or someone else who can tell us about the space between our walls and how to keep it, well, separated, which we're talking about 3 full stories.
The odor has still not penetrated the carpets or curtains. I know this because when we've been gone all day and come home I can really "smell" my house, as if I hadn't been in it for a very long time. However, we are concerned that over time it will.
I wonder how is it possible the Condo had that thin of a wall separating the units. You mean not even studs with drywall on Each side?
Anyway, I suggest you keep your windows slightly open all the time to ensure the pressure differential doesn't pull air from your neighbor's side towards your unit. A half inch opening on each floor, for example. Open all Windows any chance you get when temp is warm enough. You can also try Febreeze type of product that scavenges smells.
A friend of mine has two small townhouses that he rents out. He does everything possible to avoid renting to Indians because it's nearly impossible to get the smells of their cooking out of the house when they leave. He made that mistake once and he took a serious financial hit when they moved out and tried to rent the house after they left. It's a shame, but that's the reality. Nothing against Indians, it is what it is.
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