Before you start
Go through the suite when it has been closed for several hours, such as first thing in the morning, because the smell is easier to notice before the nose has adjusted. Bring a flashlight, a phone for photos, a notepad and a bucket of water. Open nothing that needs a tool, and do not enter electrical panels or mechanical rooms you are not authorized to open.
Work from the outside in. Start at the entrance, note the first smell, and then move room by room. Smell near the floor, at head height and near the ceiling, since different sources show up at different heights.
Room-by-room checks
- Entry and reception: carpet edges, door seals, any smell that rushes in when the door opens
- Open office areas: supply and return grilles, ceiling tile stains, carpet seams
- Restrooms: every floor drain and sink trap, exhaust fan operation, toilet seals
- Break room: refrigerator, dishwasher, sink drain, trash, drain disposal area
- Storage and utility rooms: mop sink, water heater, boxed paper, stored chemicals
- Server or electrical rooms: warm plastic or burning smell, which is a reason to stop and call for help
- Shared walls: ceiling above the wall, outlet covers, gaps around pipes
- Back door or loading area: dumpsters, idling vehicles, nearby exhaust
Simple tests to add
Water test
Pour water into each drain and wait a few hours, then smell again.
Fan test
Smell with the HVAC fan on, then, if the building allows, with it off.
Door test
Open and close a back door and note whether the smell changes.
Photo record
Photograph each suspicious location with a date stamp.
What you find, what to do
| Finding | Likely meaning | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Dry trap smell fades after refill | Trap seal was lost | Add refilling to a routine; ask about a primer |
| Stained or sagging tile | Past or present water | Find the water source before cleaning |
| Odor strongest at one grille | Air system carrying it | Use the HVAC decision guide |
| Odor strongest at one wall | Neighboring suite or a gap | Check above the ceiling, notify the manager |
| Smell tied to stored items | Materials in the suite | Remove or seal the source |
Common questions
- How often should this walkthrough happen?
- Once when a problem starts, again after any change you make, and periodically for suites with idle drains or a history of smell.
- Can a walkthrough replace a professional inspection?
- No. It narrows the search and gives better information to a plumber, HVAC technician or cleaner.
General information for Westminster, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.