Unpleasant Odors After Water Or Fire Damage? We Can Help!

11/7/2019 (Permalink)

Does a musty smell waft throughout your house? Would you describe it as earthy, mildewy, or moldy? Has your home recently experienced any kind of water damage? If so, then your home most likely suffers from mold. If you are not aware of your home having water damage or mold, then this particular smell is typically the first sign of a larger issue. However, here are some easy steps to identify the issue and remove the problem:

• Track down the source of the smell. If this is difficult, look for places in your home that are dark, warm, and damp. That is the kind of environment that mold thrives in. These can be areas such as your bathroom or basement. 
• If you have found the source, and it is a relatively small area of mold, you can clean it up by using a mixture of household detergent and water. Be careful around mold, and make sure you wear protective gloves while cleaning. Do NOT use bleach, as it can make the mold grow even more. However, if it is a large area of mold, call the professionals to safely remove it here at SERVPRO of Huron & East Seneca Counties. If the smell is coming from an area that has been damaged from water, such as carpet or drywall, it will need to be removed and replaced. The source of the water will need to be repaired as well. 
• After making sure the entire area is completely clean, be sure to fully dry the area with a fan or heater. If there is a window nearby and it is not damp outside or raining, then open the window to allow airflow and ventilation. If the smell still lingers, then mix water with baking soda into a paste and rub it into the area, and allow it to dry. When it does, then clean up the excess.

Remember, if the mold is extreme or your home has serious water damage, do not hesitate to call the professionals to safely and accurately remove and fix the dangers.

Smells from fire damage can be tough to remove because smoke is easily absorbed by fabrics and plastics. However, it is not impossible to get rid of it. Note, if you still have soot left in your home from fire damage, call the professionals to remove it as soot can be very dangerous.

For removing the smell of soot:

• Have airflow going throughout your house by opening up any windows and doors. You should also turn on any and all fans you have to force any lingering smoke particles out of your home.
• Collect all of your fabric items from the affected area such as pillows, clothing, blankets, etc. and have them washed and dried. Make sure you keep the fabric items away from the affected area until the smell is completely gone as to not have them reabsorb the smell.
• If there is upholstery in the affected area that contains the smell, you will need to have that cleaned as well. We recommend calling the professionals in those cases.
• For carpets, sprinkle baking soda and then leave for an extended amount of time - preferably overnight - to deodorize the area. After waiting, vacuum up the remainder. If that does not work, then you may try steam cleaning your carpet as well. If that does not work either, then you may have to have it deep cleaned by a professional or replace it altogether.
• For hard areas such as wooden surfaces, countertops, appliances, windowsills, cabinets, walls, or doors, you should make a cleaning solution consisting of a gallon of warm water, half a cup of distilled white vinegar, and a teaspoon of dishwashing soap. Transfer the solution into a spray bottle, then spray onto any hard surface and wipe with a cloth or sponge afterward. However, do not spray the solution onto a stone surface, as the white vinegar will damage it.
• As a final step, it is highly recommended that you change the air filter in your air conditioning unit and have your air ducts or ventilation system cleaned by professionals to ensure that all remaining smoke particles are cleared as to not cause any more danger to you or your family.

Remember, if your home contains a large amount of mold, any amount of soot, or suffers from severe water or fire damage, then your best option is calling the professionals! Here at SERVPRO of Huron & East Seneca Counties, we are experts at repairing and restoring fire damage and water damage and have what you need to get your home smelling brand new again!