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Thread: Smoke in Attic

  1. #1
    Courtney Hornsby's Avatar
    Courtney Hornsby Guest

    Default Smoke in Attic

    I live in a townhome, however I guess it's more like a quad with four units backed up to each other making a box. I have lived in my home for almost four years and since about year one my attic has smelled of cigarette smoke which is now starting to enter my house. I know that one of my neighbors smokes like a chinmeny and I'm sure it's coming from his house. My fiance has gone up into the attic and has said it is closed off from the other units. How is this possible that his smoke is getting in my attic space? My house was built in 2000, is this up to codes?

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Southern Vancouver Island
    Posts
    4,607

    Default Re: Smoke in Attic

    If the neighbor is blowing smoke outside, I would guess your attic soffit ventilation is drawing the smoke in. Perforated soffit covers under the eaves draw air into the attic and vents near the ridge let air escape. If this is the case, you may need to depressurize the attic a little bit by increasing the ventilation at the ridge by adding another vent or two. This is all just a WAG. An air quality inspector could help you better by visiting the property.

    John Kogel, RHI, BC HI Lic #47455
    www.allsafehome.ca

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Caledon, Ontario
    Posts
    4,982

    Default Re: Smoke in Attic

    Your unit could be depressurized while the neighbouring smokers unit is pressurized, but that fact could very (insulation/method construction, et ceteras). Since warm air rises out through the attic area, the smoke maybe brought into the unit through the common wall of adjoining units such as electrical outlets/switches. Particularly if you run your exhaust fans in kitchen/bath/laundry.

    Have you tried keeping windows open slightly each level to see if that changes the occurrence of the smoke smell?


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Guelph,Ontario
    Posts
    173

    Default Re: Smoke in Attic

    Having a blower door test done,may indicate were the smoke is coming from,cant hurt.


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Anacortes, Washington
    Posts
    415

    Default Re: Smoke in Attic

    I agree with the blower test. This will have the benefit of identifying any sources of air leaks / transfer between your unit and other/ exterior. If that doesn't solve the problem then the most likely source will be the eave vents. Slightly pressurizing the attic may solve that problem. That could be done by a fan the size of a bath fan. Anything larger could cause other problems.

    //Rick

    Rick Bunzel
    WWW.PacCrestInspections.com
    360-588-6956

  6. #6
    Ben Tressel's Avatar
    Ben Tressel Guest

    Default Re: Smoke in Attic

    This is a very familiar problem in this part of the country. I have been involved in many inspections involving neighbors' smells leaking into neighboring units. Sometimes nothing can be addressed without opening the walls. The blower door test mentioned in an earlier post is a great idea. In addition to finding the leaks with an infrared camera or smoke pencil, you will be able to see how much the neighbor's unit is being depressurized while your unit is being tested. As far as correcting the problem goes, start by air sealing the attic. If the smell is indeed coming up through the soffit vents and making it back into your house, that tells me there is way too much connectivity between the interior and the attic. Air quality aside, this should also be addressed for energy reasons. The wall top plates, wiring and plumbing penetrations, and fixtures should be sealed from the attic side. If you have old can lights which are full of holes, consider replacing them or covering them with a fire rated, sealed and insulated enclosure. As far a the interior goes, focus on the common wall between units. Switch and receptacle gaskets help a little, and make sure any plumbing penetrations are sealed. You can also pull the baseboard and seal where the bottom plate of the wall meets the wallboard and subfloor. Good luck


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