A town of first owners
Pflugerville has been one of the fastest-growing places around Austin for years. Farmland on the edges of town has turned into subdivisions along SH 130 and SH 45, a large share of the homes are less than 20 years old, and plenty of families are the very first people to live in their house.
Those houses are built tight. Better windows, sealed ducts, spray foam and house wrap keep cool air in and the power bill down through a long Texas summer. The trade-off is that a tight house also holds in:
- Smells from new materials. Fresh paint, carpet, cabinets, flooring glue and new furniture give off gases for months, sometimes longer.
- Moisture from daily life. Showers, cooking, laundry and even breathing add water to the air, and a tight house gives it fewer ways out.
- Cooking and pet odors that hang on a day or two longer than they would in an older, draftier home.
- Construction dust. When the lot next door or the street behind you is still being built, fine dust finds its way indoors and into the HVAC.
The land around town is flat and open, so the wind does its share. Dust from fields and building sites blows in, and spring oak and grass pollen ride along. Over time this raises the home's bio-load: the tiny particles that collect in the air, on surfaces and inside the HVAC. The longer version is in What Is Your Home's Bio-Load?
What does the dry fog do in a tight, newer house?
We use the patented Pure Maintenance VaPURE dry fog system. First, a very fine dry fog of a hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid solution fills the house. Gentle positive pressure moves it into every room, closet and cabinet and through the ductwork, where it helps control the growth of odor-causing microorganisms on hard, non-porous surfaces. It then breaks down into water, oxygen and vinegar. Second, a surface protectant goes on the same way.
The droplets are small enough to float, so nothing gets wet, and the whole job is done in one day. In a newer house, the natural moment is after the building dust next door has settled. The full details are on our dry fog treatment page.
Talking it through by phone
A team member calls to learn about your Pflugerville home: how long you've lived there, what you've noticed (a new-house smell that won't fade, humid bathrooms, stuffy bedrooms), and how you run the thermostat and fan. We'll ask about your HVAC system and filter too.
A Comfort Advisor then explains your options and sends a written quote based on square footage, along with any simple fixes you can try on your own.
Pflugerville FAQ
We just bought a brand-new home. Should we wait before a treatment?
Some new owners wait until the home is finished and moved into, with the furniture in place. Others want a fresh start before the moving truck arrives. We'll talk through what fits your timing on the call, and our guide on moving into a new home covers both options.
Why does our new house still smell "new" after a year?
Tight homes hold on to the gases from new materials longer, especially in summer when the windows stay shut. Running the HVAC fan on circulate and using the bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans helps. A whole-home treatment can help with lingering odors too.
Does a tight home need fresh-air ventilation?
Some do. Many newer homes have a fresh-air intake or could use one, and a whole-home dehumidifier can help in our humid climate. Our sister company Gold Eagle Services can look at your system and explain the choices.
Will the treatment affect my builder's paperwork?
The dry fog doesn't change or repair anything in your home. If you have a leak, a construction defect or visible growth, contact your builder first. We don't perform or collect lab testing. If you'd like your air tested, or you've had a leak or visible growth, start with an independent state-licensed professional.
Helpful guides for Pflugerville homeowners
- New Homes, Tight Homes - why newer homes can trap indoor air
- Moving Into a New Home: A Fresh Start - a move-in checklist
- HVAC Fan Settings: On, Auto or Circulate? - keeping air moving in a tight home
Book your free Pflugerville consultation
Whether you're near Lake Pflugerville or in one of the newest neighborhoods off SH 130, we'd be glad to help. Pure Maintenance Austin serves all of Central Texas, including College Station, Pflugerville, Hutto, Manor and Round Rock. Call 512-904-4646 or email IAQ@goldeagleservices.com. We're available Monday through Saturday, 7am to 7pm.