Hey all,
2 weeks ago I use some paint stripper on the outside deck, but the smell has found its way into the house from under the floor boards (half of our house is sitting on stumps).
Have tried bicarb soda, opening all of the windows, and an air purifier running during the day, but the smell comes back overnight.
Does anybody have any suggestions on how to get rid of the smell?
Edit: This is the product I used https://www.intergrain.com.au/products/intergrain-timber-str…
Thanks! I'm giving the deck another clean and hosing out under the deck to hopefully move the smell out.
Once you use it, it's already too late, its in your life, learn to live with it i guess.
Are you speaking from experience?
Yep i am, although over time it will fade, not much you can do.
How long did it take before you started noticing it going away? Did you try anything to get rid of the smell?
@ozbpixels: 2-3 months.
I know quite a few painters, they said it will dilute with time, it is a chemical based cleaner after all, you really should of asked for advice from a professional before using it.
You have to be careful with how you use it also, a little goes a long way.
@garetz: I followed the instructions on the tub and watched YouTube videos, I guess I shouldn't have used it in hindsight.
This is what I used: https://www.intergrain.com.au/products/intergrain-timber-str…
How harmful can the smell be?
@ozbpixels: They don't state what they use to make it, they just say its N-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP) and Methylene Chloride free.
Which means they are probably using some kind of derivative.
I doubt it will cause cancer, but it will probably cause migraines and maybe dizziness over the medium to long term.
@garetz: I gave them a call to make sure and they said it's non-hazardous (they changed their formula 5-6 years ago to make it safer), so that's a plus.
Can you get access under the deck?
If yes then don the safety gear, get under the deck and either:
As garetz said - this shit is serious stuff and you only need to apply minimal product.
Yeah, I can open the deck up since I haven't screwed the boards back in yet. I covered the ground underneath it with bicarb to try and get rid of the smell and left the deck open to try and let the wind push the smell away, but I put the boards back on yesterday.
I'll take the boards off again and dig up some of the dirt and pressure wash it to see if that helps.
Is there stripper product remaining on the bearers and joists?
Turn over the soil with a shovel as much as possible in attemp to bury the odour.
I high pressure washed it off and sanded the boards down, but there still might be some left. I'll high-pressure hose it off again.
This is what I used: https://www.intergrain.com.au/products/intergrain-timber-str…
Are there any professional services that you're aware of that can get rid of it? Kind of worried that the odor will have a negative health impact.
8 Clean stripped surfaces thoroughly with water and allow to dry.
Just blast the shit out of the whole below deck area with a pressure washer. Have fun.
@Muzeeb: Just called Intergrain and they reassured me that inhaling the odour inside isn't hazardous and recommended to pressure wash the boards and dirt under the deck to dilute the smell.
So that's what I'll be doing during my lunch break today!
Thanks for your suggestions.
what sort of paint stripper did you use? Was that solvent based to work with oil paint? If that's the case bicarb will not help because it only works with pH based and water soluble stuff, paint stripper is most likely oil based and need something similar to be cleaned off properly.
This is what I used: https://www.intergrain.com.au/products/intergrain-timber-str…
From the website: "Intergrain Liquid 8 Timber Stripper is a fast acting, easy to use, water soluble gel timber finish and paint remover."
@ozbpixels: from MSDS, dimethyl sulfide is probably the one causing smell issue but because they have very low detectable olfactory threshold even miniscule amount will trigger that unpleasant smell, your best bet is to get underneed and tried to clean up the bit of contaminated soil or whatever underneath the deck. Pressure washer probably wont help because it use only small amount of water and just carry the chemical around your place. Same as other usual household chemical. You'll need a lot of water like the mid north coast flood to dilute them down.
It has a half-life of 10 years, so it will decrease over time…
Counter strike
I’d pressure wash again, then use a plastic watering can full of cheap white vinegar and apply to affected area
I do have some cheap white vinegar, I'll put some into the dirt below the deck to see if that helps and then hose it out in a few days.
When i strip timber doors I use watering can and vinegar afterwards as the stripping chemicals soak into timber and continue to degrade it and it’s glue. Water alone won’t neutralise.
I have been playing with ozone to remove smells.
Google it first and do NOT inhale ozone. But what chemicals are safe anyway?
But with a bit of patience and caution the ozone has a free oxygen radical and just loves to oxidise cumbustible gasses.
Bought a 10g /hr generator on ebay, treat a closed room with a timer and then air it with a strong metal blade fan. Cheap soft plastic blades might be affected.
Some smells like methane is gone in no time. Managed to rid a rental property of chilli cooking smell. Sometimes even reduces mildew stench.
does it work to remove cigarette smell from a car?
Youtube has quite a few people who have done it. However overdoing may affect soft plastic parts so it has to be done with caution.
Sounds like something I'd mess up!
find the source
it has prolly leaked under the deck and under the house, and with the rain spread more
find it under the house and deck and remove it
then do the rest u have done