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Unpleasant smell from ventilation: why it appears and how to deal with it
27.01.2023 01:30
Updated: 13.04.2023 16:24
Many people who live in apartments are familiar with the situation when an unpleasant odor begins to come from the ventilation.
This problem causes a lot of discomfort, so it is worth examining the main methods of struggle and the reasons that are key.
Blockages
If we consider old multi-story buildings, then such a nuisance often appears there. The fact is that ventilation systems can be combined with chimneys and other elements. There are often situations when systems simply collapse over time or become clogged with various debris.
In this situation, there is only one solution - you need to call the service organization. You should definitely not solve the problem yourself, because apartment buildings have a complex ventilation system that requires special knowledge.
The only thing you can do is inspect the ventilation from your apartment; perhaps you can get rid of some of the blockage.
Design failure
This reason should be taken seriously. There are situations when ventilation stops working at a certain moment or an unpleasant smell appears. It is important to understand a simple fact: any ventilation system in an apartment is designed taking into account all the features and requirements.
And how do most people do repairs? Designers draw a project, so some can destroy key communications.
There are other situations when someone connects to someone else's ventilation. Any interference with the structure is illegal and can lead to terrible consequences.
Formation of ice
During the cold season, ice may form in the ventilation system. This problem occurs due to sudden temperature changes and condensation. If ice forms, it gradually closes the ventilation, thereby disrupting air circulation inside the system. If ice begins to form, then it is extremely difficult to solve such a problem.
The neighbors have a powerful extractor fan.
Any ventilation system is designed for natural air exchange. If a powerful exhaust fan is installed in one of the apartments, the air flows begin to mix.
Such a nuisance leads to unpleasant odors getting into neighboring apartments. Finding the culprit in this case is a difficult task.
How to Block Unpleasant Odors from Neighbors
As practice shows, some problems cannot be solved. For example, even a service organization will not be able to clean the ventilation system properly. The solution is to install a supply valve on a window or a wall.
By increasing the air flow from the street, you can reduce the amount of unpleasant odors in the ventilation system.
It is also worth considering installing your own hood with a shut-off valve. A simple example: the valve will be closed when the hood is turned off.
As soon as the hood is turned on, it creates an air flow that opens the valve. It is difficult to call the solution effective, since a person is deprived of air flow from the ventilation, but in some situations, other options simply do not exist.
