Odors We Eliminate
Our protocol is designed for the most persistent, deeply embedded odors — the kind that survive repainting, carpet replacement, and conventional cleaning.
Tobacco & Cigarette Smoke
Third-hand smoke embeds into drywall, insulation, HVAC ducts, and soft surfaces. Standard cleaning cannot reach it — thermal fogging and HEPA filtration are required.
Fire & Smoke Damage
Post-fire soot and smoke particles penetrate porous materials throughout the structure. Odor persists long after visible damage is repaired without targeted chemical treatment.
Mold & Mildew Odor
Musty odors from mold colonization require source removal and antimicrobial treatment — not masking agents. We address the root cause and restore air quality.
Pet & General Odors
Persistent pet odors, cooking smells, and general indoor air quality issues respond to our multi-stage treatment protocol including HEPA air scrubbing and surface deodorization.
The Science of Odor
Why Painting Over It Doesn't Work
Smoke and tobacco odor molecules — primarily nicotine, tar, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) — are microscopic and penetrate drywall, insulation, wood framing, and HVAC ductwork at a molecular level. A fresh coat of paint seals the surface but traps the odor molecules inside, where they continue to off-gas for years.
Effective odor elimination requires reaching every contaminated surface, including inside duct systems, behind walls, and within carpet fibers — which is why our 12-step protocol uses thermal fogging (which penetrates the same way smoke does), HEPA air scrubbing, and hot-water extraction together.
- Thermal fog penetrates the same porous surfaces smoke does
- HEPA + activated carbon captures airborne particles and VOCs
- Hot-water extraction removes residue from carpet and upholstery fibers
- HVAC duct cleaning prevents re-contamination through the air supply
Signs You Need Professional Odor Remediation
- Persistent smoke smell after repainting or recarpeting
- Odor returns within days of cleaning
- Smell is stronger near HVAC vents
- New occupants or buyers can smell it even when you cannot
- Yellow-brown staining on walls, ceilings, or window sills
- Pets or children show respiratory sensitivity indoors
- Property failed a home inspection due to odor
- Recently purchased a home with a smoking history
Our Proven Method
The 12-Step Odor Elimination Protocol
Every odor remediation job follows this complete protocol in sequence. Skipping steps allows odor to return — which is why we never cut corners.
HVAC Ductwork Cleaning
PreparationA ULV fogger with Medi-Clean (formerly Microban) Fragrance-Free thoroughly cleans all ductwork. If duct cleaning is subcontracted, we require a NADCA-certified company to ensure proper decontamination.
HVAC Coil Cleaning
PreparationHVAC coils are cleaned by a certified HVAC technician. Coils that are contaminated with smoke residue will re-introduce odor into the air supply if not addressed before fogging begins.
Seal the Structure
PreparationAll windows and exterior exit doors are closed to contain the fogging agents and maximize dwell time throughout the structure.
Thermal Fogging — Full Structure
TreatmentThermo-55 Tabac-Attack is applied using an Electro-Gen Thermo-fogger with a silver heating element, which runs 15 sec. on / 10 sec. off and heats up to 40°F hotter than standard black-tip foggers. The entire square footage is fogged to penetrate all porous surfaces.
Do NOT use Hot-Fog on popcorn ceilings or in duct systems.
Room-by-Room Fogging Protocol
TreatmentInterior doors are closed after fogging each room. Work proceeds from the furthest point to the exit. Once fogging is complete, the structure is left sealed for approximately one hour to allow full penetration.
HEPA Air Scrubbing with Activated Carbon
Air QualityHEPA air scrubbers equipped with activated carbon filters are placed throughout the home and run continuously until the job is complete. Each room receives a minimum of one hour of air scrubbing — achieving 6 air changes per hour for rooms up to 600 sq ft.
Wall, Ceiling & Cabinet Foaming
Surface TreatmentAll painted surfaces, ceilings, and cabinets are foamed with UnSmoke Wall-Wash and Tabac-Attack using a Foam-it sprayer. Applied in 6-ft sections and wiped clean. For semi-gloss or high-gloss paint, Degrease-All and Tabac-Attack are used. Note: Degrease-All is never used on flat painted surfaces or cabinets.
Carpet, Upholstery & Hard Floor Pre-Spray
Surface TreatmentAll carpets, upholstery, laminate, and tile floors are pre-sprayed with Degrease-All and Tabac-Attack using a standard pump sprayer to break down smoke residue before extraction.
Tile & Grout Deep Clean
Surface TreatmentTile and grout are treated with DegreaseAll and TabacAttack as a pre-spray, then cleaned at 900 PSI to remove embedded smoke residue from porous grout lines.
Hot-Water Extraction — Carpet & Upholstery
ExtractionHot-water extraction is performed on all carpets and upholstery using DegreaseAll with TabacAttack. Natural cotton fabrics are pre-tested before treatment to confirm compatibility.
Pro-Chem Acid Rinse
FinishingA Pro-Chem acid rinse is run through the hot-water extractor as the final stage, neutralizing alkaline residues from the cleaning agents and restoring fiber pH balance.
Equipment Removal & Final Air Quality Check
CompletionAir scrubbers and all equipment are removed. A final walkthrough confirms odor elimination. For popcorn ceilings, standard Tabac-Attack is applied via ULV fogger or cold fog (created by removing the tip from the thermo-fogger) rather than hot fog.
Who We Serve
Odor remediation is needed in a wide range of situations — from residential property sales to commercial tenant turnover.
Home Sellers & Buyers
Eliminate smoke or pet odors before listing, or remediate a newly purchased home with a smoking history before move-in.
Landlords & Property Managers
Restore rental units between tenants when tobacco or pet odors have embedded into walls, floors, and HVAC systems.
Fire Damage Restoration
Post-fire odor is a separate challenge from structural repair. Our protocol eliminates smoke odor after the rebuild is complete.
Hotels & Short-Term Rentals
Smoking violations in non-smoking rooms require full odor remediation — not just air fresheners — to protect future guests.
General Contractors
Subcontract odor remediation to TRG as part of a larger restoration or renovation project. We coordinate directly with your team.
Healthcare & Commercial
Clinics, offices, and commercial spaces require odor-free environments. Our HEPA protocol meets the highest air quality standards.
Ready to Eliminate the Odor for Good?
Our 12-step protocol is the most thorough odor elimination process available in Central Texas. We assess the source, treat every affected surface, and verify results before we leave.
Available 24/7 for emergency odor situations — fire damage, sewage, or biohazard events.