Odor Control

Interior Entry Door Frame

Check that the door frame is fully sealed where it meets the wall.

Caulking can shrink over time and pull away from the frame. Inspect the top and sides of the frame for any gaps where it meets the wall. You can also test the seal by using painter’s tape to carefully seal around the door. If there is a reduction in air or odors, you can add additional caulking.

Resolution

If there is a reduction in air or odors, remove the tape and caulk around the door using a paintable water-based latex caulk.

Suggested Products

• Amazon — Dap 18001 Kwik Seal Caulk with 5.5-Ounce Tube, White

• Home Depot — DAP Kwik Seal 5.5 oz. White Kitchen and Bath Adhesive Caulk-18873

• Lowes — DAP Kwik Seal 5.5-oz White Paintable Latex Caulk

Exterior Entry Door Frame

Check that the weather strip that lines the door on the outside, hall-facing, side of the door is in good condition and free of large gaps.

• Day — You can look for gaps during the day by going to the hallway, closing the door, and looking for significant light leakage.

• Night — Turn off the lights in your unit and inspect the gap around the door for significant light leakage.

Resolution

Add thin thickness foam insulation along the interior of the door frame where your door rests against the frame when in the closed position.

Note: If the insulation is too thick it can prevent your door from fully closing on its own, prevent the door from latching properly, or prevent the deadbolt from locking or unlocking smoothly.

Entry Door Threshold

Check that the sill plate, located on the floor below the door, is secure.

Make sure that the door sill plate is properly installed and there are no gaps between the sill and floor in your unit.

Resolution

• If loose, tighten screws.

• If missing, replace the sill plate. The original product is an aluminum flat saddle plate, measuring 36 inches long, 2 inches wide, and 0.25 inches tall. A replacement plate will likely need to be cut so professional installation is recommended.

• Consider removing the sill plate and adding a narrow strip of foam insulation across the bottom and reinstalling it.

Suggested Products

• Amazon — M-D Building Products 49010 M-D Premium Flat Saddle Threshold, 36 in L X 1-3/4 in W X 1/8 in H, Aluminum, x 1-3/4" W x, Satin Nickel

• Home Depot — Frost King 1-3/4 in. x 36 in. Satin Nickel Saddle Threshold for Interior Doorways-SN175

• Lowes — M-D 36-in x 1.75-in Aluminum Door Threshold (Install with Screws)

Note: These products are the closest inexpensive approximations to the original installed equipment. Consult with an installation professional to determine if a different product will better suit your needs.

Entry Door Bottom or Sweep

Check that the door bottom or sweep is in good condition and forms a solid seal against the sill plate.

Inspect the door bottom and make sure that it is functioning correctly. Residential doors in the building were originally equipped with an automatic door bottom at the door sill. The door bottom is recessed in the door and uses two tabs on either side to push the seal downward when the door is closed. If the door bottom is intact, inspect the gasket to make sure that it extends fully to the door threshold.

Resolution

If the automatic door bottom is not intact or does not function correctly, add a door sweep on the interior of your door.

Products

• Amazon — Frost King Premium Aluminum And Vinyl Door Sweep 1-5/8-Inch by 36-Inches, Brown

• Home Depot — Frost King 1-5/8 in. x 36 in. Bronze Premium Aluminum and Vinyl Door Sweep-B59/36H

• Lowes — M-D 36-in Bronze Door Sweep (Install with Screws)

Note: Make sure that the door sweep is long enough to bridge the gap between the bottom of your door and the door sill or floor. Consult with an installation professional to determine if a different product will better suit your needs.

Plumbing

Check for gaps around the water supply and drain pipes under your sinks. They may have a decorative plate that covers the gap, but this does not prevent air or odors from coming through.

Resolution

Use closed-cell foam insulation to seal gaps behind water supply and drain pipes under sinks.

This can reduce the amount of infiltration; however, the best possible solution would be to seal the holes where the pipes enter your unit. This would require the removal of cabinetry or cutting holes in the cabinetry. This is difficult and not recommended unless you are performing other work.

HVAC

Use air filters rated for the filtration of fine particles and odors. Replace filters frequently, every 1 - 3 months.

Most filters are recommended for three months of use. To ensure that any odors and particles are caught, when using a high-rating filter, it is recommended that you replace them every 30 - 60 days.

Resolution

Replace the filter with a high rating filter that can catch odors, smoke, and fine particles.

• Better

  • FPR 7 (common rating at Home Depot)

  • MPR 1200 (3M Filtrete)

  • MERV 11

• Best

  • FPR 10 (common rating at Home Depot)

  • MPR 1900 (3M Filtrete)

  • MERV 13

Note: Higher rating filters can reduce the efficiency of your HVAC system.

Additional Solutions

You can take additional steps to help mitigate odors.

Inspect Exterior Doors and Windows

Inspect the seals on your operable windows and patio doors. If there are air leaks, the air movement on the outside of the building can suck air into your unit through any gaps in your entry door or other entry point.

Use an Air Purifier

Use a HEPA air purifier that is rated for large rooms and place it in a central location in your unit or near the entry door. Let it run on a low speed 24/7 or run it when you smell anything out of the ordinary. Air purifiers that use a carbon filter generally have improved performance for odors.