Smoker House Renovation - Ideas - Advice

Totally nasty are plastic windows that have microscopic pores in the frames, which open and close with temperature changes and repeatedly release the smell of smoke. Stone windowsills? You would have to remove them and soak them in a cleaning solution for a few days so that the open pores are properly cleaned, or better yet, install new ones immediately.

Wooden stairs? You will never get the smell out either.

Replace all sockets/light switches, but that will probably be taken care of by the new plaster anyway.

In my opinion, it is a defect, but not a hidden one. As far as I know, the realtor does not have to point out the most obvious defects to you, such as the driveway being pushed up by roots or the sink being missing in the bathroom. It is different if the defect is deliberately concealed: and they opened all the windows before the viewing, sprayed 5 bottles of Febreeze, and lit scented candles.

- regarding fragrances and oils: we do not want to mask the smell but remove it. And my husband already gets on my nerves when I light a candle once

- regarding the question why we didn’t smell anything: as mentioned, all the windows were open. They had freshly painted everywhere and the old dogs. That’s probably why we mainly smelled the paint and dog odor.

- are there any experiences that once the plaster is renewed, it really stays quiet? I dread the idea that it will come through the bricks again. When we now smell the bricks, there is a slight smell of smoke.

How is one supposed to hide the smell of smoke that occurs throughout the entire house?

by spraying 10 bottles of febreez and airing out for 3 days before.

by spraying 10 bottles of febreze and airing out for 3 days beforehand.

But in the long run, that doesn't help. Apart from that, you go into the house at least twice, and from the second time on, you check things by shaking, touching, wiping, moving things and yes... also sniffing. And especially if you know that a smoker lived there, you have to be sensitive. By the way, you can also smell the febreze if you overdo it.

regarding fragrances and oils: we don't want to cover up the smell but remove it. And my husband already gets on my case if I light a candle once

I know. I just wanted to give a little hope and not leave my two No's all alone ops:

But I don't think the smell is harmful to health. You just become somewhat desensitized to it.

By the way, I was a smoker myself until recently and can smell when someone has smoked in houses.

As I said, I know apartments and houses from chain smokers, and airing out and spraying doesn't help. As a non-smoker, you can smell it. The OP didn't smell it, whether that can be true or not is debatable (the mix of dogs, fresh paint, airing out, etc. can at least create a strange combination that distracts), and in the end, it doesn't matter because they want to get rid of the smell, and as I said, the only way is to remove everything. The note about possible wooden stairs is good, because they would continue to stink for years. But with a building year in the 80s, I think there probably aren't wooden stairs?

Before buying a house, we were desperately looking for a 4-room apartment and looked at one that had previously been occupied by heavy smokers, and I tell you, they had freshly painted, they had freshly painted the radiators, but just the way the wooden doors smelled... disgusting. It was so nasty that even in our desperation, we didn't want this apartment. Here with the OP, the advantage is that it is ownership and everything can be fixed. I also don't think the bricks will still stink in the end, because they will be completely sealed with the new plaster and were already shielded from the old plaster, so it certainly won't smell afterward (no guarantee). Change light switches, etc. at the same time; plastic will smell and will be yellowed anyway.

Really nasty are plastic windows, the frames have microscopic pores that open and close with temperature changes and repeatedly emit the smell of smoke. Stone window sills? You would have to take them out and soak them in a cleaning solution for a few days so that the open pores there are properly cleaned, or preferably replace them altogether.
>>>> They are wooden windows with stone window sills. We are currently all replacing these.

Wooden stairs? You will never get the smell out either.
>>> Fortunately not. Marble and metal. Is there a way to treat the stone?

Sockets/light switches all redone, but this will probably be taken care of by the new plaster anyway.
>>> Correct. Everything will be redone.

In my opinion it is a defect, but not a hidden one. As far as I know, the real estate agent does not have to point out the most obvious defects to you, such as the driveway being lifted by roots or the sink missing in the bathroom. It is different if the defect is deliberately concealed: and he opened all the windows before the viewing, sprayed 5 bottles of Febreze, and lit scented candles.

>>> So our problem and ignorance caused it.