Smoke and weed smell coming through walls

initpatch

I've got a 1930s terrace house and since the new neighbors moved in my dining room (there is a chimney in there) and my bedroom often smell strongly of stale smoke and really, really strong weed and his cooking. The loft is even worse. 

I managed to pop up some floor boards in the wardrobe in my room and there is a draft that comes up through where the joists sit. Inside the wardrobe is where the smell comes from and I've tried covering the floor inside it with some carpet but it's not made a difference. The smell is so strong that when I come home from work it smells like someone is smoking a joint in my room and it makes my bedding and bed covers smell.

Is there anything I should investigate or should I try filling the void where the joists are?

[Deleted User]

Or maybe even reporting them to the police?

initpatch

Thing is I'm not fussed he smokes weed and that wouldn't stop him smoking cigs. I did speak to a police mate as it seemed like he was growing at one stage and the smell was 24/7 but he said one report won't do a lot, he would need multiple reports from different people.

MovingForwards

For me it was coming in from my neighbour via the skirting, sealed that up and no more smoke / alternative smells coming through.

I put a new draught excluder on the bottom on the front door. Put some sponge type draught excluder round the door so when it met the frame there was a better deal. Replaced the letterbox draught excluder with a section homemade from an old dressing gown.

Had no problems inside since, when I walk out my front door and the communal hallway stinks, so I know what I've done has worked.

Rosa_Damascena

Is talking to your neighbour an option? Could he confine his weed-y / nicotine habits to the great outdoors?

I would hate to be in your position.

tacpot12

You might look into a Positive Input Ventilation or PIV system. These suck in fresh air from a point that is away from the source of the smell and pumps this fresh air into your house. This effectively pressurises your home with fresh air; you will set up a draught from your home to his and in doing so, keep out the weed smell. 

GDB2222

I would start off by stuffing the space between the joists with newspaper. If that reduces it, you can easily replace the newspaper with expanding foam.  Is the chimney sealed?

initpatch

I had looked at PIV but it seems a it could be pricey. I think I'll try filling the void where the joists are with some old rags and go from there.

I did speak to him twice and he said he'll sort it out which was fair enough but obviously the smell remains.

fenwick458

filling the gaps is a start, I'd use expanding foam around all of the joist ends.
and I think getting your neighbor to do the same is going to help too
if you don't have an open fire or any need for the chimney I'd seal that too

MrsStepford

I wouldn't stuff newspaper in between joists because of fire hazard. Expanding foam sounds a better idea. 

coffeehound

Is the chimney in use?  If not, blocking it would reduce the suction effect.  In better weather, opening a window on the windward side of the house should also stop, or at least reduce, any suction effect.