The Smell That Stalls a Sale
Every agent in Florida has walked into one: a well-kept house that smells like twenty years of cigarettes the moment the door opens. Buyers turn around in the foyer. Sellers drop the price. And surface cleaning doesn’t fix it, because the residue bonds to walls, ceilings, and everything inside the HVAC system, then the AC redistributes the smell every time it runs. TIES 360 removes it at the system level, for sellers, buyers, landlords, and the agents stuck in the middle.
Why the Smell Keeps Coming Back
Researchers call it thirdhand smoke: the residue tobacco leaves on indoor surfaces after the air clears. It settles like dust on walls and floors, works into carpet, drapes, and furniture, and coats the inside of the ductwork and air handler, where no household cleaning reaches. Mayo Clinic’s guidance is blunt about the hard part: you can’t clear it with open windows, fans, or the AC, and it can sit in place for months. That’s why the repaint-and-air-it-out weekend never quite works. The system keeps moving air across coated coils and duct walls, delivering the smell back to every room.
Our Multi-Step Approach to Nicotine Odor Elimination
HVAC System Cleaning: Our initial step involves a detailed cleaning of the entire HVAC system, including the air handler or furnace and all associated ductwork. This foundational step is crucial for removing the bulk of the nicotine and smoke residues.
Duct System Fogging: Following the system cleaning, we employ an advanced duct fogging technique using an EPA-registered disinfectant. Our specialized fogging system ensures complete coverage, reaching every inch of the ductwork to neutralize odors and contaminants effectively.
How It Works
The same four steps for every job we do, from duct cleaning to attic insulation.
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Schedule a free consultation
Contact us and tell us what's going on. We'll set a time that works for you.
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We come out and take a look
A technician inspects the problem area, takes measurements, and shows you what they find.
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Receive your estimate
The price in writing before any work starts. No pressure either way. You'll receive a hassle-free esimate.
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Well handle everything
Same crew, on schedule. We keep the job contained and leave your home cleaner than we found it.
Take a House Back to Neutral
The work runs in stages. First, a full system cleaning: the air handler and every run of ductwork, cleaned to NADCA standards, because that’s where years of residue concentrate. Second, duct fogging with an EPA-registered disinfectant, which reaches the interior surfaces brushes and vacuums can’t and neutralizes the odor source instead of masking it. For homes that need more, an Air Scrubber installed at the air handler keeps working on lingering odors after we leave, and if smoke has soaked into old flex duct insulation beyond saving, we’ll say so plainly and price replacement for those runs only.
Selling, Buying, or Saving a Rental
The calls usually come at transaction time. Sellers want the house neutral before photos and showings, so the work belongs before the listing goes live. Buyers who love a house except for the smell can price the fix into the offer; a quote during your inspection period gives you a real number to negotiate with. And landlords between tenants can reset a unit before the next lease instead of explaining the smell at every showing. In all three cases, the earlier we see the house, the more options you have.
Common Questions
Can cigarette smell actually be removed, or just covered up?
Removed, if you treat the right things. Air fresheners and surface wipe-downs mask what’s in the rooms while residue inside the ductwork and air handler keeps feeding the smell back. Cleaning the system and fogging it with an EPA-registered disinfectant removes that source. Paint and soft goods carry their own share, and we’ll tell you which parts we handle and what belongs to your painter or cleaning crew.
How much does nicotine removal cost?
It depends on the size of the system and how heavy the saturation is, so we quote after seeing the house. If you’re mid-transaction, say so when you call and we’ll work with your timeline.
Will the house smell normal as soon as you're done?
The system side is handled when we leave. How the whole house smells depends on what else held residue: paint, carpet, and furniture can each hold their own share, which is why we’re upfront about what the HVAC work will and won’t fix by itself.
We just bought a house from a smoker. Where do we start?
With the HVAC system, ideally before the furniture moves in. An empty house is the easiest version of this job, and treating the system first means you’re not blowing the old smell across your fresh paint. If you’re still in your inspection period, get the quote now and use it in the negotiation.
Is one treatment enough?
Usually the system cleaning and fogging do the heavy lifting in one visit. Heavily saturated homes sometimes need a second pass, or duct replacement where residue has soaked into the insulation lining, and we’ll know that after the inspection, not after your invoice.
What Our Customers Say
Real Experiences, Genuine Feedback
Discover the impact of our services through the words of those who’ve experienced the TIES 360 difference. Their testimonials underscore our dedication to providing cleaner, healthier air for all.