What can I do to stop ciggarette smoke from coming into my townhouse from the townhouse next to our?

Question

It is worse in the bathroom, throught the vent and through the stairs where the seams are not completely closed. It is very frustrating since we don't smoke. These are older townhomes built in the 70's.

Answer 1

Are you sure its coming through the vents and the stair wall? If it is then there is a fire code violation. Separate dwelling units must have a fire rated separation to prevent the spread of fire from one unit to the next for a long enough period to let everyone escape. Cigarette smoke is one thing Toxic smoke from a fire next door is something else. If you rent the property see the landlord. You can also talk to the local fire department.

Answer 2

Got to go w/ the folks who ref fire codes.
The fact that you can smell cigarette smoke is a symptom of poor construction
Attached dwellings should be separated by a firewall & have separate ventillation systems.
You may not be able to prevent people from smoking in their own home, but a fire inspector may be able to put pressure on the owner to correct what appears to be a fire safety violation.
Good luck.

Answer 3

Go and tell the other people to stop smoking in the house! If you rent them complain smoke ruins walls so maybe the landlord might be upset over the smoking neighbors. If you own it complain daily if it does not work...move! I've dealt with neighbors who did stupid things it is not worth it.

Answer 4

Talk to your a/c tech to see if it's possible to install a small duct from the air return to the outside, this will create a positive pressure inside the home and should correct your problem.

Answer 5

if it is in fact a violation of the fire code, then call your neighbors and ask them to stop smoking indoors. if they refuse call your landlord and ask him to talk to your neighbors. if sill no improvement, call your landlord and threaten him with the violation. if he does nothing then call the fire department and have them force the landlord to fix the violation. landlords are usually lazy and cheap so he will not want to spend the time and effort to fix the problem.

Answer 6

Move.