Smoke comes in around pipes under the sink or by the radiator
- Where I am
- You smell smoke more when you open the cabinet.
- Where I want to be
- Pipe holes that are closed off.
- What's in the way
- Pipes pass through bigger holes in the wall, and those holes connect to the next apartment.
Landlord's job? Report it in writing with dates, and keep a log. Who fixes what depends on your lease and where you live.
Try this first, free: Open the cabinet under the sink with a flashlight. Look for a gap around the pipes where they go into the wall or floor.
The fix
- Clear the cabinet and shine a light around each pipe. Hold a strip of toilet paper near the gap to see if air moves.
- Press removable putty into small gaps. Work it in with your thumb.
- For a wide gap, cover it with painter's tape or a patch of foam weatherstrip.
- Never use expanding spray foam. It is combustible, and the gaps between units have fire-stop rules.
- Leave the pipe free to move and never wrap anything tight around a hot pipe or a gas line.
What this won't fully fix: Putty and tape slow the smoke from this route. They don't seal the building, and larger gaps usually need the landlord's own repair.
Safety first: If the gap is next to a gas pipe or a heater flue, don't fill it. Tell the landlord.
Moving out: Pull the putty out in pieces and peel the tape off. Wipe any oily mark with dish soap.
What to get
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