I'm living in a second-story condo, and our downstairs neighbor is a heavy smoker. Recently, we've started to notice a strong cigarette smell seeping into our apartment whenever he's home. It seems like there's a gap somewhere, maybe in the bathroom since that's where it's the worst. I'm looking for advice on how to identify the exact spot where the smell is coming in and how to properly seal it. We're really struggling with this situation, and it's not just annoying—it's concerning for our health too.
5 Answers
I experienced something similar, and for me, there was a gap around the plumbing under my bathroom sink. I used spray foam insulation to fill it in, which significantly cut down the smoke smell. It was a bit of a messy job, but it definitely helped!
One quick fix is to seal up your electrical outlets and switches with insulators. It’s an affordable and effective way to reduce the smell. You can find insulation kits at any hardware store, and it shouldn’t take too long to do it yourself.
Try creating some pressure in your apartment by keeping windows closed and just running the fan on your A/C unit. This can help to temporarily push out the smoke until you get the issues resolved. Just make sure you're not recirculating the smoky air in!
You might want to check with your condo management about any local policies on smoking. Some places have rules that require it to be done outside, which might help reduce the smell issues.
Did you notice any residual smell after using the spray foam?