Question
Any suggestions for getting rid of lingering VOCs after the offgassing item has been removed?
Asked by mary loughran
After closing on a 5 year old home, I noticed a pine/wood odor that attached itself to my clothes and made me sick while in the home. I didn't move in and have spend the last year trying to isolate the problem - which finally appeared to be from the wood floors (1/2 the home) applied with either Chinese glue or incompatible mixed glues. 4 months ago the floors/glue were completely removed and tiled over. The carpeting in the rest of the home was deodorized. I cleaned and painted the walls in the affected room with Safecoat products about 6 weeks ago. I can no longer smell the odor although it still attaches to items like plastic bags left in the house and I get a headache and irritated eyes if I am in the house any length of time. Would installing a Pure Air Filtration Unit or a ERV get rid of the lingering VOCs? Any other suggestions? I would like to move in but don't want to put myself further in the red if I end up having to disclose and list the home for sale.
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Answers
Hello,
This sounds like a tough one with a few variables that should also be considered in warm climate.
A fresh air damper would help--- ERV. Check with your local air-conditioning company if your A/C and duct work can incorporate this upgrade. Many new high efficiency homes add this feature for health reasons because the home is too air-tight.
Consider reducing the relative humidity in the home below RH 50%. Upgrade the thermostat to check this. You also some might consider an Aprilaire cleaner or a TRANE CleanEffects. These added measures I believe would help.
If it was explained to a potential buyer that the home has a fresh air-cleaning system, or a separate system from the HVAC which is suggested on FGBC (Florida Green Built Coalition) version 9 check list under health may help sell the home over others in the area. Sorry to hear about this type of problem, unfortunately it effects many homes I have reviewed here in Florida.
Regards,
Scott
