Residents of apartment buildings are often faced with a situation where an unpleasant odor appears from the ventilation. Instead of purifying, supplying fresh air and removing waste, the system causes discomfort. You also faced a similar problem - are you bothered by unpleasant odors from the ventilation and you do not know how to deal with them?
We will help you solve the problem - in this article we will talk in detail about how to get rid of the smell in ventilation, what preventive measures to take for its smooth operation. We will also supplement the article with thematic photos and useful video tips.
The content of the article:
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Causes of unpleasant odors
- Reason # 1 - errors in calculation and installation
- Reason # 2 - blockages in the ventilation shaft
- Reason # 3 - violation of the system design
- Reason # 4 - the formation of ice in the ventilation duct
- Reason # 5 - insufficient supply of fresh air
- Reason # 6 - powerful hood from neighbors
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How to block the smell from neighbors?
- No. 1 - installation of the supply valve
- No. 2 - installation of a fan in the bathroom
- No. 3 - installing an extractor hood in the kitchen
- Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Causes of unpleasant odors
Extraneous odors can be detected by residents when they move into a new apartment, or quite suddenly, after a long stay in an apartment without problems with the air exchange system. Let's figure out why there was a smell from the ventilation and what to do in such a situation to get rid of the discomfort.
Reason # 1 - errors in calculation and installation
When organizing ventilation in the kitchen, toilet, bathroom, it is important to correctly think over the system of supply and exhaust ducts. The optimal solution in many cases is the creation of forced air movement using a fan.
We recommend that you read the rules creating effective ventilation in the apartment.
In apartment buildings, the air exchange system is created during the construction phase. Technological errors made during the design and construction of a building can lead to violation of the tightness of the mine - similar problems are often encountered in new buildings.
When planning a ventilation system, it is worth placing the exhaust and supply ducts opposite each other. This will ensure effective air exchange.
In old houses, the cause of depressurization is the partial collapse of the canal, improperly carried out repair and construction work. Therefore, the overhaul with the reconstruction of the ventilation system should be trusted by professionals in order to avoid mistakes in design and installation.
Otherwise, the result of incorrect installation, the presence of errors in the calculations will be the incorrect operation of the system, the appearance of extraneous odors, the formation mold.
Reason # 2 - blockages in the ventilation shaft
In old multi-storey buildings, residents often face problems with the appearance of an unpleasant odor, since the systems are combined with chimneys, air ducts, partially clogged, destroyed.
One of the reasons for the appearance of a smell from ventilation is:
- Blockages - unimpeded air movement becomes impossible due to the accumulation of dust, fat on the walls of the ventilation, the ingress of various kinds of debris. Often, blockages are formed as a result of the accumulation of debris in the mine.
- Partial destruction of air channels - the collapsed walls form plugs that impede the movement of air. As a result, the correct operation of ventilation is impaired.
To ensure the free movement of air, it is important that there are no obstacles in the ventilation shaft.
Ideally, the ventilation shaft opening should be absolutely free. However, during operation, dust builds up on its surface, blockages are formed that block the movement of air.
According to the regulations, management companies are required to audit ventilation annually, in houses connected to the gas supply system - every six months. If malfunctions are detected, the house must be disconnected from the gas until the air exchange is restored and cleaned using professional equipment.
An unpleasant odor can occur as a result mass proliferation of the fungus, mold in the ventilation shaft. Such problems are associated with insufficient heating of utilities in cold weather. To eliminate it, you must contact the management company responsible for maintaining the house.
With proper care ventilation shaft problems associated with the growth of the fungus, other manifestations of unsanitary conditions, are not observed.
To detect mold, fungus in the ventilation, you do not need to independently inspect the mine. The results of insufficient heating of communications will appear not only in the form of an unpleasant odor, but also as characteristic stains on the walls.
Self-service of the ventilation system in an apartment building is prohibited, since the safety of residents depends on the quality of the work. All actions related to changes in the duct must be agreed with the management company.
Reason # 3 - violation of the system design
As a result of an investigation into the reasons for the sudden appearance of an unpleasant odor, it turns out that the neighbors decided during the next repair destroy the duct to increase the useful area of housing, or in general connected to another channel, disrupting the operation of the entire system.
In some cases, homeowners are surprised to find that the overall there is no mine at all. Therefore, it is not surprising that an unpleasant odor emanates from the neighbors through the ventilation system. There can be no such mistakes in design and construction, since the technical documentation will not be approved.
Lack of general ventilation is often associated with the presence of illegal redevelopment. Some of the neighbors expanded their living space due to the ventilation duct, blocking the mine from top to bottom. As a result of such intervention, there is no possibility of unhindered evacuation of air and foreign odors spread throughout the apartments.
To eliminate the cause of the incorrect work, you need to get to the neighbors in the apartment, to clarify the presence of redevelopment. If the violators do not agree to restore the ventilation shaft voluntarily, it is worth contacting the licensing authorities and initiate proceedings. As a result, neighbors will have to return the structure to its original state and pay a fine for violation.
Reason # 4 - the formation of ice in the ventilation duct
She is also a problem that residents of an apartment building may face - ice in the duct. It appears as a result of temperature changes. The resulting condensation freezes in layers, gradually closing the space for air circulation.
Ice build-up occurs in the cold season, as a result of temperature changes. When it appears, there is no need to wait for warming, you should immediately contact the management company
Reason # 5 - insufficient supply of fresh air
If the ventilation system is working properly, but there is an unpleasant smell in the apartment, you should check if there is enough fresh air into the apartment.
Quite recently, there have been no difficulties with supply ventilation. Small gaps appeared in the wooden frames over time, so a sufficient amount of fresh air entered the apartment through them, even when the doors were tightly closed.
Today everyone is trying to isolate themselves from street noise, to ensure the tightness of window structures. In order to get a sufficient supply of fresh air under such conditions, you can simply periodically ventilate the apartment, regardless of the season, install supply valve into the wall or window.
Since not everyone wants to open windows in winter, the main burden of air exchange falls on ventilation. First you need to determine the presence of traction by attaching a piece of thin paper, newspaper to the grate. If the paper sticks to the grate or tilts towards it, then the duct is working correctly. If the paper remains stationary or deviates towards the user, then there are problems.
If the experiment is unsuccessful, you must open the window and repeat the procedure. If the paper deviates towards the grate, it means that the ventilation operation can be easily corrected by periodic ventilation.
Installing a supply valve will be a simple solution that will provide a sufficient flow of fresh air into the apartment, will help solve the problem associated with a decrease in the rate of gas exchange
When the paper is tilted towards the user during inspection, this effect is called reverse-feed. This means that not only exhaust gases are not removed from the apartment, but also unpleasant odors and dust from outside are attracted.
There can be many reasons for this, ranging from the clogging of the channels with steam, cold air, ending with the presence of ice, debris, and partial destruction. Forced ventilation installed by neighbors can also interfere with the natural movement of air.
It is extremely important to regularly check ventilation and takes care of its performance.
Reason # 6 - powerful hood from neighbors
When designing apartment buildings, it is assumed that all residents will be satisfied with natural air exchange. When a powerful system with fans is installed in one of the apartments, the air flows are displaced. As a result, unpleasant odors get into neighboring apartments.
This is due to the fact that the ventilation system is not designed for high intensity movement of air masses. It is possible to increase the ventilation power only in those situations when each apartment is connected to an individual channel, which is not implemented in all houses.
The reasons associated with the appearance of unpleasant odors from ventilation can be different. From mistakes made at the design stage, construction of a structure, to incorrect actions of neighbors during the renovation of an apartment
There are two ways to resolve the issue:
- ask neighbors to replace equipment or turn it on less often;
- install forced ventilation - this way you will create even more problems for the rest of the tenants, but get rid of unpleasant odors in your apartment.
Specialists can be involved in resolving the issue of incorrect operation of the hood.
How to block the smell from neighbors?
The appearance of an unpleasant odor from the air exchange system can be associated with various reasons. Professionals recommend finding out and eliminating them, rather than dealing with the consequences. For example, when the hood is installed near the entrance to the room, the moist air is blocked. As a result, unpleasant odors and mold may appear.
When figuring out how to quickly block the smell from the ventilation system, it is important to understand that the measures must be comprehensive, otherwise the problem will soon have to be dealt with again.
No. 1 - installation of the supply valve
After the installation of plastic windows, the natural flow of air into the apartment is practically excluded. As a result, the rate of gas exchange sharply decreases, waste is not removed, and the microclimate in the apartment worsens. Installing the supply valve on the window or into the wall will help partially solve the problem.
The user can choose the simplest fixture or purchase an automatic system. It will not only provide air supply to the room, but also heat it up. If you have a supply valve, you do not need to open the windows every day. In this case, the amount of air entering the room will be quite sufficient.
Installing a supply valve will be a simple solution that will provide a sufficient flow of fresh air into the apartment, will help solve the problem associated with a decrease in the rate of gas exchange
A wide variety of models, flexible pricing policy will help you choose a supply valve that meets the needs of the customer, his budget.
No. 2 - installation of a fan in the bathroom
The smell from the ventilation of the bathroom is easily eliminated after installation exhaust fan.
Manufacturers offer three device options:
- centrifugal;
- axial;
- centrifugal axial.
The fans have design features and differ in power. Their installation is relevant when the dimensions of the ventilation pipe exceed 3 meters.
Installing a fan will speed up air exchange, solve the problem of high humidity after swimming, and eliminate unpleasant odors
When choosing the right model, do not dwell on too powerful options. At a high intensity of air intake, a rarefaction effect may appear, which negatively affects health
No. 3 - installing an extractor hood in the kitchen
The extractor hood will help to cut off odors from neighbors, remove unpleasant odors arising during cooking. Modern models not only differ in a set of functions, they have an excellent appearance.
To equip the kitchen, you first need to decide on the type of device:
- suspended - the most common option, fixed above the gas stove in the space between kitchen cabinets;
- insular - mounted to the ceiling, can be located anywhere in the kitchen;
- corner - located in the corner, takes up a minimum of space;
- wall - installed on the wall next to the stove, it can become a highlight of the interior;
- built-in - is mounted in a closet, does not spoil the interior, it is practically invisible.
We recommend that you read the detailed recommendations for selection and installation of the hood on the kitchen.
Most of the hoods take in the exhaust air and throw it into the ventilation. Experts consider such a solution to be the most effective and safe.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Recommendations for eliminating unpleasant odors from ventilation are demonstrated in the video below:
Unpleasant odors can appear due to malfunctioning ventilation or incorrect actions of neighbors. To get rid of discomfort is real, you can use very simple but effective methods, which we discussed in detail above.
If independent attempts to cut off the unpleasant odor from the ventilation have not been successful, it is better to contact a specialist. When contacting professionals, you do not have to guess about the reason for the appearance of unpleasant odors. Wizards will diagnose the system, determine the type of malfunction, and give recommendations on how to solve the problem.
Have you successfully dealt with the annoying scent from your neighbors on your own? Found a non-standard solution to the issue? Share your experience with other readers in the box below.
