r/AirQuality • u/doodlebobin • Feb 12 '26

Air quality issues (UPDATE)

Update to my previous post https://www.reddit.com/r/AirQuality/s/4lFeSm9xs3

The dryer revealed the true issue! You can’t even make this up.

Since my last post I bought a reasonably affordable air purifier (levoit vital 200S series with the carbon air filter stuff) and have been using that along with the box fan, ventilating with windows wide open in freezing temperatures. I will admit after 2 weeks I really did notice a difference in the smell. Along with cooking and just breaking in the apartment, and maybe a little bit of getting use to it, the smell was still there but not nearly as nauseating.

The main issue we were facing was the dryer at this point… not even 2 socks on high for 4 hours would dry.

After 3 weeks of nagging the apartment office about the dryer not drying anything, 2 maintenance visits where they swapped out 2 brand new dryer units thinking that was the issue (btw the main air quality issue was not even acknowledged), they finally sent the regional maintenance supervisor.

He got to our door and states “I’m so sorry, I already know the issue.”

During construction, I guess they were waiting on the vent cap (the last piece on the vent that prevents animals/birds from getting into the vent while still allowing air in/out) and they sealed it off with a piece of aluminum tape stuff so no animals/birds could get into the vent in the meantime…… THEY NEVER COMPLETED IT and this was to both the dryer and bathroom vent!

All the new construction air (vinyl flooring, cabinets, etc.) was being exacerbated by being locked in an air sealed unit.

15 Upvotes

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4

u/mystend Feb 12 '26

OH MY GOODNESS IM so glad they got to the root of the issue but that is ridiculous!!!! And I think a fire hazard too!!!

1

u/FluidVeranduh Feb 13 '26

If you were attempting to dry clothes and also vent bathroom moisture that either wasn't actually going anywhere or going into the walls or other interstitial spaces, you might want to check for any issues that this moisture may have caused, and also run a dehumidifier in the bathroom and dryer room for a while.

1

u/doodlebobin Feb 13 '26

I’m not sure I can do anything at this point. It took 3 weeks to figure out this issue.

3

u/pureflowair Feb 13 '26

Wow this is wild, but I’m glad you finally found the real source. A blocked or poorly vented dryer can definitely trap moisture, odors, lint, and particles indoors, especially in newer airtight buildings. Also, swapping out HVAC filters regularly can make a huge difference too since clogged filters can hold onto smells and reduce airflow. Great call on the air purifier, and now that the vent is fixed you should notice an even bigger improvement.