Puff back left over smell in house

I recently rented a house that had a serious puff back happen a week before we moved in. The entire house was cleaned by a restoration company, house was painted and floors were refinished. The furnace was also replaced. My concern is there is a heavy oil or sut smell still in the house, and i don't know if this is harmful to breath in. especially since my wife is 5 months pregnant. is there a way to make sure air quality is safe?

 

Since virtually the entire living area has been cleaned and sealed, according to you...then what about the basement? Could that be the real source of the smell?: Does it smell worse down there?

Is it too cold by you to open windows and put fan in window?

 

did the duct get cleaned!

 

I love that smell. Just kidding. I have heard a few ideas but never tried them. Pans of white vinegar. Oil of spearmint or peppermint on cotton balls. Those 2 pop to mind but you can buy cherry bombs which are containers of cherry scented deodorizer. I have only seen them at heating supply houses but I'm sure they should also be available at pet stores. Ha Ha. I don't think the odor is harmful but it does get into everything. If the ducts weren't cleaned, that would be very valuable. We fog a deodorizer into the ducts when we finish a cleaning so maybe that would be available too.

Ken

 

Puff back leaves an oily residue on everything. Every surface and all contents have to be cleaned and disinfected. This includes inside and out of cabinetry, counters, hard surface floors, etc. Carpet should be cleaned and disinfected. HVAC filter should be changed and continue to be changed frequently until odor dissipates. Nylon or cheese cloth should be placed over vents until duct work is cleaned. Ductwork should be brushed, power-cleaned and deodorized. Vents are covered during this process. Paintable surfaces should be cleaned, primed to seal, and painted. Because oily particles tend to cling to cooler air that settles to basement, basement should be included in the cleaning and restoration process. If odor remains after restorationists have left, they need to be called back. Some restoration companies use ozone to control odor. People, pets, and plants can not be present. In the meantime, if you live where warmer temperatures have arrived, open windows and turn on fans to improve air circulation and ventilation.