Technician on a ladder treating a ceiling above a stair railing. Illustrative image of the process; it does not document a job done for this site.
Layers of a carpeted floor
A carpeted floor is a stack: the carpet face, its backing, a pad, the tack strip around the edges, and the subfloor. In older central Denver houses there is often original oak or fir flooring under the carpet as well, sometimes in better shape than anyone expected. Smoke residue, fallen ash and years of spills work their way down through each layer.
Foam pads, especially the multicolored rebond type, are full of open cells that soak up odor and moisture. When a seller has the carpet steam-cleaned before listing, water can carry residue from the face into the pad, and the floor may smell sour and smoky for weeks afterward. That pattern, a smell that got worse after cleaning, is a strong hint the pad is the problem.
Where a heavy smoker sat in the same spot for years, the subfloor below can absorb odor too, particularly if drinks or ashtrays were spilled. Wood subfloor is porous and should be cleaned and sealed rather than left bare under new flooring.
Deciding how far down to go
- IfThe odor is faint and the carpet is newer, with no stainsThenProfessional cleaning of carpet and pad may be enough; re-check with the room closed up.
- IfThe smell worsened after shampooing, or the pad crumbles when you lift a cornerThenPlan to replace the pad at minimum, even if the carpet is kept.
- IfCarpet is old, stained or yellowed near walls and seatingThenReplacing carpet and pad together is usually more practical than cleaning both.
- IfLifting a corner reveals hardwoodThenRemove carpet, pad and tack strip, then have a flooring contractor assess cleaning, screening or full refinishing.
- IfThe subfloor is darkened or smells strongly once exposedThenClean it, let it dry, and seal it with an odor-blocking primer before new flooring goes down.
Before new flooring goes in
- Pull back a corner in each room and smell the pad and subfloor directly.
- Photograph stains on the subfloor in case they need to be addressed later.
- Remove old tack strip; it is raw wood and often reeks.
- Vacuum the subfloor thoroughly, including along baseboards.
- Clean and seal stained subfloor areas, then let primer cure fully.
- Ask the flooring installer to wait until the rest of the home has passed a closed-up smell test.
- Keep the new carpet rolls out of the house until wall and duct work is done.
Common questions
Does refinishing hardwood remove tobacco odor?
Sanding removes the top layer of wood along with the old finish, which takes much of the residue with it, and new finish seals what is left. Odor in gaps between boards may need extra attention.
General information for Cherry Creek, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.