FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In
How-To

Name that fume

By Dave Menicucci Issue 78
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Q:

One of my best residential clients has a problem concerning the air quality in his home that I completely renovated in 1988. The house was gutted and refitted with insulated windows and doors, extra kraftfaced batts were installed everywhere possible, and Benjamin Moore primer/sealer and finish coats cover the walls and the ceilings. We made a conscious effort to avoid materials that might trouble the owner and his many allergies. The problem is on the first floor where we vaulted the ceilings and installed double- and triple-ganged skylights. On warm spring days, with no HVAC equipment active, a strange smell, something like new rubber floor mats or plastic trash-can liners, is very evident in these rooms. With the central air conditioning in use, the smell eventually disappears. The odor is not a stale one that you would normally associate with stagnant air; the owner describes it as “an ozone smell.”

I have been there on a bright, spring day and checked an area on the oak floor to see if the direct sunlight was affecting the stain and Glitza finish, but that wasn’t it. The operable skylights were checked for mildew, and we closely inspected the attic and the crawl space for animals, vegetables, minerals, etc. It is odd to me that this problem only recently came up, whereas the owners have been living there for three years with no problem. What could be causing this odor?

Robert Jackson, Atlanta, GA

A:

Dave Menicucci, research engineer at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico, replies: Most odors in residential buildings come from cooking, combustion, outgassing (the release of gases from solids or liquids), malfunctioning appliances or building systems and decaying organics. Cooking and combustion (especially from smoking) are the primary sources of pollution and odor in residential buildings. Cooking can produce strong odors that may last for days. Particulates from combustion may permeate fabrics and furniture, causing odors that can only be removed by washing.

Odors from decaying organic material usually originate in garbage cans; however, occasionally small animals may become trapped in an obscure area of a home and die. The animal carcass may be difficult to locate, and odors may linger for months.

Sometimes odors come from malfunctioning appliances or building systems, as well as from outgassing. Condensate drain pans under refrigerators that hold water for long periods of time cause mildew and mold odors. Sewer gases can creep into homes through traps that have dried out from nonuse. Pouring about a quart of water down the drain to refill the trap solves this problem. Outgassing occurs in new fabrics and wood products. Paints and varnishes may outgas for weeks after they are applied. Enclosed surfaces, such as the interior walls of cabinets, may outgas even longer. Resins used in fiberboard products also outgas for a long time. These outgases may also react with other gases to create different odors in the home. For example, the gases released from curing polyurethane may react with the odorant in natural gas to create a unique and undesirable odor. Because the kitchen is the most likely room to have open gas flames, the odor may seem to originate there.

You can deal with an odor by eliminating its source after some investigative sniffing or by diluting the odorant with outside air from open windows and doors. These are two simple and cheap methods. Air filters, which remove particulates, and activated charcoal filters, which absorb organic gases and vapors, will eliminate airborne agents that cause odors, but these systems are often expensive to install and maintain. Finally, masking the odor with a deodorant is the least desirable solution because it adds a new gas to the environment, which may cause problems.

Your client says the problem has only recently occurred, even though the construction was completed three years ago. This suggests that  the odor is not related to the building materials you used. Outgassing from these materials would have been most intense just after construction and would have been noticeable immediately.

Second, you say the odor smells like rubber or plastic trash-can liners. Both of these odors are typical of outgassing plastics or treated fabrics.

Third, the odor is apparently more acute on warm days. Heat can accelerate outgassing from new furniture or from decaying organics, both of which could have been added to the environment recently.

Fourth, you say the odor disappears soon after the ventilation system kicks in. Occasionally, a very dirty electronic air cleaner will produce electric arcing that creates ozone, an odoriferous gas. Also, insects sometimes crawl onto the high-voltage plates of the air cleaner and are burned, creating short-lived odors throughout the house. Obviously, the existing air-conditioning system and the electronic air cleaner are not sources of the problem.

Based on the evidence, outgassing seems the most likely source of the odor. I’d ask your client if he’s added something new to the environment, such as furniture or treated fabrics. If so, he should temporarily remove the new material to see if it is causing the odor.

If this doesn’t solve the problem, then additional investigation should be conducted. You may need to consult an environmental expert to test the air in the house.

Fine Homebuilding Recommended Products

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Caulking Gun

It's important for any insulator to have a good caulking gun for air sealing or adhesives, and this one features a revolving frame that makes orienting the tip a breeze.
Buy at Amazon

Foam Gun

We like using a professional foam-dispensing gun as opposed to straw cans because it allows you to easily control bead size and reuse the can.
Buy at Amazon

Insulation Knife

If you like insulating with mineral wool, this knife makes cuts that are clean, neat, and easy — it's much better than a utility knife which can be slow and messy.
Buy at Amazon

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters
×

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Podcast Episode 693: Old-House Hazards, Building Larsen Trusses, AI in Construction

The crew talks about work start times, fire-resistant construction, fixer-uppers, building Larsen trusses, and AI for construction.

Featured Video

Micro-Adjust Deck-Baluster Spacing for an Eye-Deceiving Layout

No math, no measuring—just a simple jig made from an elastic band is all you need to lay out a good-looking deck railing.

Related Stories

  • Insulation Scrap Dispenser
  • Install Denim Insulation Like a Pro
  • A Drip-Free, Through-Window Heat Pump
  • Insulation for Homes in the Wildland Urban Interface

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Video

View All Videos
  • A Drip-Free, Through-Window Heat Pump
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Are Single-Room ERVs the Answer?
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Efficient HVAC for a New Build
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Do You Need HVAC Ducts in Every Room?
View All

Paints and Finishes

View All Paints and Finishes Articles
  • Seven Ways to Remove Paint
  • A New Approach for Millwork Finishes
  • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
View All Paints and Finishes Articles

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2025
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

You have 1 free article remaining.

Get complete site access, including thousands of videos, how-to tips, tool reviews, and design features.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data