Smoke can find its way to other apartments

By KAREN YOUSO, Star Tribune

Last update: October 17, 2009 - 1:38 PM

Q One of the residents in our apartment says that smoke is getting into his apartment from a neighbor who smokes in her own space. He claims it's coming through the walls and ceiling. Is that possible?

A Yes, it's a common problem.

Apartments -- and condos and lofts, for that matter -- aren't as separate as they appear. Gaps and spaces in walls and ceilings around electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning connections are common and they permit air to move up, down and sideways. That means neighbors share air -- including cigarette smoke -- and noises with their neighbors. What makes this difficult to stop is that the smoke or odor isn't necessarily from the next-door neighbors; air transfer is capricious. And it can be a building-wide problem. The price of the unit and age of the building have nothing to do with it. Both old and new buildings can have this problem.

Sealing the leaks you can access (behind electrical face plates, for example) can reduce the transfer of smoke odors and even noise.

Saving musty books

Q I recently inherited a collection of vintage books. I'd like to bring them into my home, but they smell musty. Is there any way I can freshen them up?

A Yes. Because the musty order is coming from mold or mildew growing on and in the books, first remove the books from the source of dampness, said Dianna Clise with Midwest Art Conservation Center in Minneapolis.

Books should not be stored in a garage, basement or attic. Store them where temperatures are between 60 and 70, and relative humidity is between 45 and 65 percent. Be sure there's good ventilation.

Determine the extent of the mold in the books and if it is active or dormant. Because only a mycologist can identify the species and the danger, you'll have to assume the mold on the books is toxic. Look at the pages with a magnifying glass. Using gloves and being careful not to inhale, gently brush at the mold. If it smears, it's active. If it's dry like a powder, it's probably dormant. Even inactive mold growth can be dangerous for those with allergies and asthma. If it's active mold, you'll probably want to consult a professional conservator, especially if the books are of high monetary or personal value.

Bookcases should be on interior walls. On exterior walls, moisture can creep in and you might not know it, Clise said.

Also, keep books away from houseplants. (They give off moisture.)

If you've done all this and the books are still a little stinky, you'll want a product called microchamber interleaving paper. (Check www.conservationresources.com.)

The paper contains odor- and moisture-absorbing zeolites, materials similar to cat box litter. Place one piece between the front board and end paper (cut to fit, of course). Then place the proper-sized paper every 100 pages as you go through the volume. Now wrap the whole book in the paper and let it sit for several weeks. Change the paper inserts and repeat until the odor is gone.

Send your questions to Fixit in care of the Star Tribune, 425 Portland Av., Minneapolis, MN 55488, or call 612-673-7032, or e-mail fixit@startribune.com. Past columns are available at www.startribune.com/fixit. Sorry, Fixit cannot supply individual replies. Fixit appears everyday except Friday.

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