Eliminating Bad Chemicals, Bad Odors

The complex chemicals, including alcohols aldehydes and ketones produced by molds as they grow create the funky, earthy odors that make us recoil from breathing "bad" air. Occupants of such homes and buildings become desensitized to such smell as the nose becomes overwhelmed. Buildings may "just plain smell bad." Masking of the odors by perfumes is quickly recognized by the  human nose, and usually, humans unconsciously begin to take shallow breaths as the nose says, "Don't breathe this air."

It is likely that the body's instinctive protective behavior influences the visitor's attitude toward the person who operates a business in such a building. We know of one high end real estate office in Naples, Florida that has a serious odor problem. The occupants seem unaware of it (desensitization), and the office manager is in denial that the office has an unpleasant smell. We believe that high end real estate customers detect and react to the odor. The odor impairs the office's bottom line. If the office manager could set aside his denial and realize how easily and effectively we could make the air in that office clean, clear and crisp, without any odor whatsoever, he would likely fix it immediately and find the profitability of the business increased significantly.

Growth of bacteria causing foul odors in medical facilities and offices is not uncommon. Most people think that ventilation needs to be increased in order to eliminate such odors. but the truth is, usually bacteria growth is rampant because in certain areas or wall cavities, there is too much ventilation, and in a hot,  humid climate, such excess ventilation delivers excess moisture that the bacteria need to thrive. And they do. Such problems often continue because of "unintended airflows" deliver moisture into such remote wall cavities where the foul smell is generated but cannot be easily found. Putting in a completely new air conditioning system and dehumidification system often makes no difference at all in eliminating the smell because it does not address the true cause.

Key Benefits

• Guests and customers can be overwhelmed by building odors that owners have become desensitized to. (Housitosis)  Embarrassing, but true. "Yes, but their beautiful home or office stinks; you would think they would do something about it"
• Homes with moldy or funky odors may remain on the real estate market a long time before a prospective buyer with no sense of smell comes along. Remarkably, it has been our experience that when we eliminate an odor in a property that has not sold, it sells almost immediately thereafter, and always for a higher price.
• Unpleasant odors consist of complex organic chemical compounds which may impair good health. Prospective buyers' noses are telling them that they should not be inhaling such chemicals.
• Simply put, Odor Elimination, not masking, is evidence that mold problem tendencies are being reversed, and that mold issues may be undergoing a natural process of elimination once the building gets the "medicine" it needs to "heal itself."

Capabilities

Identification of True Cause by sophisticated, effective testing

Our study of Building Science has given us a perspective that causes us to examine a building as a whole, living organism consisting of many organs and elements. This whole organism approach allows us to recognize complex interactions that escape detection even by others who are experts in their own fields, such as roofing, plumbing, air conditioning, fenestration, flooring, etc.

Correction of the Actual Building Defects creating the mal-odor

Often, correction of the building defect is simple, but it has just been overlooked because it is outside of the expertise of the person engaged to find it. The facts uncovered by research building scientists have been slow to transfer to the trades and professions of those who can benefit from them. We look for new facts every day in the research abstracts, journals of air conditioning, plumbing, and in our discussions with other building scientists, especially with those who conduct pure research. Such knowledge is the basis for correct identification and corrective decision-making.

Monitoring of building performance to assure continued success

Surprisingly often, building defects causing bad odors result from modifications to the building or its systems by persons who do not know of the unexpected, adverse consequences of their modifications. For example, in a hot, humid climate, such as SW Florida, to increase ventilation to eliminate an odor is likely the most wrong thing that could be done. Constant vigilance and monitoring of the building will allow such unintended consequences to be corrected soon after begin to operate..

Reference Accounts