Hi,
I’ve moved into a newly built apartment (student dorm), so it’s basically a single room with a small attached bathroom. Unfortunately, my room is located right above the entrance, where a lot of smoking happens frequently. Now I have the problem that when the windows are closed, a strong smell of cigarette smoke comes into my room. Since everything is relatively new, I assumed that the window seals are still effective, and I suspected these “trickle ventilator” slots above the windows. I have two of them directly above the windows, each with a small dial that’s supposed to let me limit the airflow. I turned both dials to the closed position, but the smell is still there, and sometimes I feel a slight draft, although I’m not sure if I’m just imagining that.
My question is whether you think it’s okay if I just tape over the slots to see if the smell goes away. Would that pose a significant mold risk? I’m really getting desperate and would appreciate any advice!
Best regards
I’ve moved into a newly built apartment (student dorm), so it’s basically a single room with a small attached bathroom. Unfortunately, my room is located right above the entrance, where a lot of smoking happens frequently. Now I have the problem that when the windows are closed, a strong smell of cigarette smoke comes into my room. Since everything is relatively new, I assumed that the window seals are still effective, and I suspected these “trickle ventilator” slots above the windows. I have two of them directly above the windows, each with a small dial that’s supposed to let me limit the airflow. I turned both dials to the closed position, but the smell is still there, and sometimes I feel a slight draft, although I’m not sure if I’m just imagining that.
My question is whether you think it’s okay if I just tape over the slots to see if the smell goes away. Would that pose a significant mold risk? I’m really getting desperate and would appreciate any advice!
Best regards
guckuck2 schrieb:
First, you should report the odor nuisance to the landlord. Yes, I already contacted the student services about this several months ago, but my request was left unanswered. In general, the student services are not very helpful and rather unfriendly on the phone as well, but I will try again.
Hello,
As you correctly mentioned, these are mandatory ventilators, so you can regulate them but not turn them off or completely close them. A defined air exchange is always necessary to prevent mold.
Of course, you can tape them over to check if the smell comes from there. You can also test the airflow using a lighter – that way you’ll know if it’s real or just your imagination. Since housing companies often blame tenants immediately when it comes to mold issues, you should only tape them temporarily for testing (e.g., one week, but make sure to ventilate regularly), and not for too long to avoid any problems.
Good luck
As you correctly mentioned, these are mandatory ventilators, so you can regulate them but not turn them off or completely close them. A defined air exchange is always necessary to prevent mold.
Of course, you can tape them over to check if the smell comes from there. You can also test the airflow using a lighter – that way you’ll know if it’s real or just your imagination. Since housing companies often blame tenants immediately when it comes to mold issues, you should only tape them temporarily for testing (e.g., one week, but make sure to ventilate regularly), and not for too long to avoid any problems.
Good luck
I tested again, and it definitely seems to be the ventilation slots. My entire apartment is only 16 m² (172 ft²), the bathroom about 2 m² (22 ft²), and since the bathroom door doesn’t close properly, I always keep it open. If I tape over the slots now, maybe the fan in the bathroom will help? It runs for about 5 minutes every time the light is turned on, which probably doesn’t do much, but if I don’t do something about the smell, I’m slowly going crazy :/
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