Frequently asked questions
Real questions from facility managers, building owners, and property teams across NYC.
Sewer & Ejector
How much does ejector pit treatment cost?
Most NYC building ejector pit treatment programs run $300–$650 per month including chemistry, dosing equipment lease, and quarterly service visits. Initial cleaning of a neglected pit is billed separately and ranges $500–$1,500 depending on accumulated sludge.
How often should an ejector pit be treated?
Treatment chemistry is dosed continuously by a metered pump. Service visits are typically monthly to verify the dose rate, refill the reservoir, and inspect the pit. High-load pits (hotels, hospitals) may need bi-weekly service.
What causes ejector pit odors?
Three things almost always: biofilm on the pit walls and floats, dried check valves or pump seals letting sewer gas escape, and short pump cycles that leave a sludge layer. Treatment must address all three.
Is sewer gas dangerous in a building?
Yes. Hydrogen sulfide above 10 ppm causes headaches and eye irritation; above 100 ppm it causes loss of consciousness. Methane is explosive at 5–15% by volume. Persistent sewer smell should be treated as urgent.
Why does my basement smell after it rains?
Heavy rain overloads the sanitary sewer, pushing gas back up through floor drains with dry traps. Refill the traps with water and install trap primers on any drain that doesn't see weekly water.
What is H₂S?
Hydrogen sulfide gas — the rotten-egg smell produced by sulfate-reducing bacteria in oxygen-poor wastewater. It corrodes concrete and copper and is toxic at low concentrations.
Lift Stations
How often should a lift station be cleaned?
Confined-space cleaning of the wet well annually. Quarterly inspection of pumps and floats. Monthly checks of dosing equipment and float operation. High-grease stations may need quarterly cleaning.
What is the #1 cause of lift station failure?
Rag and wipe accumulation wrapped around the impeller. Even products marketed as 'flushable' do not break down before reaching pumps.
What's the difference between a lift station and an ejector pit?
An ejector pit is building-scale, usually under 1,000 gallons, serving fixtures below the building sewer. A lift station is municipal or campus-scale and moves sewage between sewer zones. Both pump sewage uphill but they're sized and regulated differently.
Can a lift station be treated without taking it offline?
Yes. Chemical dosing equipment installs above-deck without shutdown. Cleaning and pump service typically require pump-around or alternating-pump operation.
What causes lift station odor complaints from neighbors?
Hydrogen sulfide escaping the vent stack, ventilated wet well cover, or pump discharge headers. The fix is source treatment of H₂S, not vent filtration alone.
Trash & Compactor
How do I stop my trash chute from smelling?
Schedule monthly Smoke Odor Shield service that fogs the entire chute interior, install a top-of-chute atomizer for continuous coverage, and replace hopper-door gaskets every 18 months. Power-washing alone doesn't last.
How often should a trash chute be cleaned?
Monthly fogging or sanitizing service is standard. Annual deep cleaning with mechanical brushing of the chute walls. High-volume residential properties may need bi-weekly service.
Why does my compactor room smell?
Liquid leachate pooling under the ram and biofilm on the ram face. Daily washdown plus weekly encapsulating foam application to the ram and chute interior eliminates it.
Why does my trash room smell worse in summer?
Bacterial activity roughly doubles for every 18°F rise. Increase service frequency during summer months and verify the room exhaust fan is operating.
How do I stop loading dock odor from reaching tenants?
Brush seals at every bay door, an air curtain on the personnel door, and a perimeter mister releasing encapsulant during waste handling. Schedule pickups for off-peak HVAC hours.
Grease & Drains
How often should a grease trap be pumped?
When the FOG (fats, oils, grease) layer exceeds 25% of trap depth. Most full-service kitchens: every 60–90 days. High-volume frying kitchens: every 30 days.
Are bacterial additives safe for grease traps?
Yes. Bioaugmentation products use the same Bacillus species present in municipal treatment plants. They reduce FOG between pumpings and extend service intervals.
What causes drain flies?
A gelatinous film inside the drain throat is the breeding ground. Larvae live protected inside the film. Foam treatment of the drain, not surface spray, is the only fix.
How do I prevent kitchen drain backups?
Quarterly hydro-jetting plus daily bioaugmentation at the prep sink. Train staff to scrape plates and avoid dumping dairy and oil-based sauces.
What causes slow drains in commercial buildings?
Grease accumulation, soap scum, hair, or root intrusion in the lateral line. Hydro-jetting clears all four; chemical drain openers work on hair but not grease or roots.
Are bacterial drain cleaners safe for old pipes?
Yes. Bioaugmentation is neutral pH and won't attack cast iron, copper, or PVC. Caustic chemical openers can damage older pipes.
Why does my sink smell like sewer?
Either the P-trap is dry (rare on a daily-use sink) or biofilm is coating the overflow and tailpiece. Brush the overflow with a bottle brush, then treat with a foam enzymatic cleanser.
Senior Living
How do I remove urine smell from a nursing home?
Aero Machines deployed in corridors and common areas emit dry vapor that bonds with airborne ammonia and uric acid residue. Mopping alone makes the smell worse by rehydrating the crystals.
Are Aero Machines safe for residents with respiratory issues?
Yes. The chemistry is hypoallergenic, IFRA-compliant, and used in dialysis centers and oncology floors.
How many Aero Machines does a senior-living floor need?
One per ~6,000 sq ft of corridor in most layouts. A 30,000 sq ft floor typically needs 5 units.
Do I need to replace urine-saturated carpet?
Not in most cases. Enzymatic treatment of the carpet, pad, and subfloor followed by Aero Machine deployment reaches surfaces a cleaning crew can't.
What's the right odor control for memory care units?
Continuous Aero Machine deployment plus fragrance-free chemistry to avoid agitation. Avoid any product with a distinct scent.
Hotels & Hospitality
How much does hotel lobby scenting cost?
Equipment is typically $1,200–$3,000 installed. Cartridge refills run $80–$200 per month depending on lobby size and dosing schedule.
What scent works best in a hotel lobby?
Boutique urban properties: woody, leather, bergamot. Resort properties: citrus, white floral. Avoid sweet notes — they read inexpensive. Match the brand voice, not a trend.
How do I remove smoke smell from a hotel room?
Smoke Odor Shield electrostatic application to soft furnishings, HVAC return filter replacement with carbon media, and surface sealing with a chemistry-grade primer if the unit was a long-term smoker. Most one-bedroom units complete in under 4 hours.
Is HVAC-integrated scenting safe for guests with allergies?
Yes. The chemistries are hypoallergenic and IFRA-compliant. Dose for ambient detection in the first 30 seconds and forget by minute three.
Should event spaces use scenting?
Pre-event light scenting raises perceived quality. During food service, scenting is turned off to avoid clashing with the menu.
Pests
How do I get rid of drain flies?
Foam treatment of the drain throat weekly for three weeks breaks the breeding cycle. Surface spray and bleach don't reach the larvae inside the biofilm.
How do I prevent fruit flies in a restaurant?
Remove fermentation sources: empty beer-tap drip trays nightly, sanitize mop buckets, wash under bar mats. Fruit flies need a moist substrate; eliminate it and they leave in a week.
Can I use bug zappers in a commercial kitchen?
Not over food prep — FDA Food Code prohibits them. Glue boards in light traps are the compliant alternative.
Is dog park odor treatment pet-safe?
Yes. All Luften pet-area chemistries are formulated for direct paw contact and used in veterinary boarding facilities.
Pricing & Service
What areas does Luften service?
Luften services the New York City metro area: all five boroughs, Long Island, Westchester, and northern New Jersey including Jersey City, Newark, and Hoboken.
Does Luften offer emergency service?
Yes. 24/7 emergency response for active sewer backups, severe odor events, and dosing equipment failures on existing contracts.
What is the typical contract length?
Most service programs are 12-month renewable agreements with month-to-month options available after the first term.
Do you offer a trial period?
Yes. Most odor control programs are available with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee on the first treatment cycle.
Do you offer free site surveys?
Yes. A Luften specialist will visit the building, identify odor sources, and provide a written treatment recommendation at no cost.
Is Luften insured?
Yes. Luften carries $2M general liability, $1M auto, and workers' compensation per NY/NJ requirements. COIs are provided for all building management contracts.
Can you provide a COI for vendor management systems?
Yes. We provide COIs for all major vendor management systems including Compliance Depot, NetVendor, RealPage, and direct property-management requests.
Are Luften products environmentally friendly?
Yes. All chemistries are biodegradable, neutral pH where applicable, and non-hazardous per EPA classification. Many are bio-based.
Do you provide before/after documentation?
Yes. Most service programs include monthly inspection reports with photo documentation and ATP or VOC measurements where applicable.
How do I switch from my current odor control vendor?
Most contracts have a 30-day termination clause. Luften handles the equipment swap and chemistry transition during a single service visit with no gap in coverage.
Do I need separate vendors for drains, odors, and pests?
No. Luften consolidates trash chute, sewer ejector, grease trap, scenting, and fly control into a single contract with a single point of contact.
How long does installation take?
Most equipment installations complete in 2–4 hours per system. Larger commercial scenting installations may require a half-day with HVAC contractor coordination.
Should I choose monthly or quarterly service?
Monthly for high-traffic multifamily, hotels, and senior living. Quarterly may suffice for office buildings and low-occupancy properties. Site survey determines the right cadence.
What makes Luften different from other vendors?
Encapsulation chemistry rather than masking fragrance, in-house technicians rather than subcontractors, consolidated multi-service contracts, and documented before/after measurements.