ODORS - Find and
Eliminate the Source
Odors are a topic that comes up in
many of the articles I write about Indoor Air Quality. We have
discussed car exhaust fumes pulled into a mechanical room at a used
car dealer. We have discussed carpet and air fresheners to disguise
smoke and other smells in Las Vegas casinos.
Our latest experience includes a
complaint from a customer about six days after we remediated the
HVAC system. The HVAC contractor had replaced the air handler, coil
and distribution plenum. This was a downstairs unit with duct board
trunk lines. We cleaned, sanitized, and applied our protective
coating that prevents fungus and bacteria from coming back and it
typically has a day or two “fresh paint” smell. But, after six days,
the customer was concerned with odors coming from her system. Upon
detailed investigation by one of our field representatives, a five
pound “gel block” was discovered in the air handler unit. Even
though it was placed in there with good intentions by the HVAC
technician, this masking agent was the cause of the odor. We removed
it and the customer confirmed this seemed to be the odor they were
having. We conducted another follow-up a week later and the odor
problem was gone.
Find and eliminating the source of
odors is sometimes time consuming, but it is the only solution.
Locating the source for an odor is not necessarily as simple as it
sounds. Talking and listening to the customer is critical. Accurate
descriptions of the odors, times when the odors occur, outside
weather conditions (was it raining) activities at the time of the
odors and surrounding facilities are often clues in identifying odor
problems. Knowledge of HVAC system and other ventilations systems
and air pathways is essential to finding and eliminating sources of
many odors.
Some of the most common causes of
odors:
- Microbial and fungal
amplification inside the air handler unit
- Sewer gas/odors
entering the facility or HVAC return air system
- Insufficient outside
air makeup
- Improperly located
or filtered outside air makeup
- Inadequate exhaust
ventilation
In summary, identify and eliminate
the source of the odor, do not disguise or try and cover it up.
Air Duct Cleaning in Houston and the
surrounding area
