Even Tobacco Smoke Odor is Hazardous

9/24/2021 (Permalink)

Have you ever bought or rented a home in southwest Missouri that had been completely restored yet sometimes you could still smell cigarette smoke?  That’s because after years of smoking, even the bones of a house can be infused with tobacco odor, leaving unpleasant smells in all rooms, not just  where someone has smoked. SERVPRO of Springfield / Greene County knows how strong these odors can get. We have to work just as hard to eliminate smoke odor as we do house fire malodors.

Why tobacco smoke is such a big problem

Cigarette smoke leaves a yellowish-brown, gluey residue that sticks to all surfaces of a home, making it difficult and time-consuming to remove. If you have ever cleaned walls or windows that have been exposed to cigarette smoke, then you’ve likely seen this residue.

According to the American Lung Association, cigarettes contain over 7,000 chemicals (40 of which are associated with cancer) that not even the strongest air purifier can eliminate from your home. But it’s not just an odor problem.

How tobacco smoke affects your home

Studies conducted by the San Diego State University indicate that third-hand smoke from walls, carpets and curtains can have a significant impact on a person’s health. Toxic and volatile compounds from cigarettes build up in drywall and in soft furnishings. Children, in particular, are at risk of disease caused by exposure to the toxins from third-hand smoke.

“There’s a big illusion that when tobacco smoke disappears, we’re safe,” said SDSU psychology professor Georg Matt, director of the resource center. “Unfortunately, some of the most toxic compounds clinch to surfaces. They get embedded in carpets, they coat walls, they penetrate into walls. They become part of the indoor environment.”

Smoking not only affects the people exposed to smoke, but it also produces odorous substances that stick to every surface of the area where smoking has taken place. The yellowish-brown substance eliminated through smoking bonds to walls, furniture, and plastics, and can permanently change their appearance. Cigarette smoke also penetrates more odor-absorbing objects, such as insulation, carpets, upholstery, bedding, clothes, and many more.

Additionally, a buildings HVAC system carries smoke odor and chemicals throughout the structure. That means that the buildup of dust and debris inside the ducting that absorbed those odors needs to be removed and the entire ducting system will need to be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized.

How professionals remove tobacco smoke odor

There is no magic formula that removes these residues and malodors.

Masking odors with air fresheners only works temporarily and may pose health risks. Moreover, covering up tobacco smell with a fresh coat of paint without cleaning or using a primer first won’t effectively eliminate the odor. Within a short period of time, smoke residue will begin leaking through the paint and spread offensive odors through the room, just like before.

The only effective way to remove tobacco residue and odor is with a very thorough cleaning then sealing of all structural surfaces. SERVPRO of Springfield / Greene County, your southwest Missouri restoration specialists, begin tobacco smoke removal by cleaning all surfaces, using deodorizers to eliminate every tiny particle of tobacco smoke. Once we’ve cleaned all visible surfaces, we use specific equipment (such as hydroxyl generators and/or ozone generators) that abolish the odor molecules that are inaccessible, such as inside walls and ducting.

We next use a sealant that locks in stains and odors. After that, surfaces will be made ready to refinish, paint, or apply new coverings. Finally, our team confirms that all surfaces have been sanitized and treated to ensure odors stay away from you and your property.

SERVPRO of Springfield / Greene County are professionals at removing smoke residue and odors, no matter their source. So don’t continue to suffer from unwelcome odors and stains. Let us provide your home with a breath of fresh air!