How To Remove The Foul Odours After Water Damage
By: 911 Water Damage Experts
If you have ever experienced flooding in your home, then you know that the odour smell left behind is almost unbearable.
The damage that the water can do to your home can ultimately lead to the creation of mould, mildew, and an awful smell that seems difficult to remove.
Water damage can occur in many instances. Some of them include:
-Broken pipes
-Clogged toilets
-Broken washing machines
-Cracks in the foundation
-Leak from the dishwasher
-Bad plumbing
-Leaky roofs
When it comes to the natural causes, a flood can be the result of heavy rain, heavy snow, and floods.
This can sometimes create irreparable damage.
If you don’t detect the problem fast, it will lead to some serious damage and a foul odour.
You also need to be aware here that the longer the moisture is left unattended, the greater the damage will be. This can lead to some expensive repairs.
Note that if you make a timely inspection and get rid of the issue in time, you will also be able to avoid some serious threats to your health.
The water damage can lead to more damage that can also lead to mould.
At first, this process starts slowly, and a couple of spots appear.
But, if you don’t act promptly, then those spots widen and create a foul smell and start posing a threat to your health.
This is why you should first clean the affected areas and then thoroughly dry them out, it will keep your home clean and your health intact!
And it’s a good reason why you should not ignore a bad smell if you sense one.
Whether it is a small pipe leak or large water damage, it should still be addressed immediately.
If you sense some bad smell coming from inside the home, note that there are two types of water damage odours that it can create.
Both of them are the result of a fire or flood in the home.
Here they are:
- The first one develops in the first day or two after some water damage has happened. It can leave a bad smell in the home and it can get on your nerves.
- The second one is considered to be highly hazardous. It comes right after the first one (after a few days) and it can quickly lead to the growth of mildew and mould.
If You Want To Remove The Smell, Start From The Source
Naturally, one of the best ways to get rid of the bad smell in your home is to follow the smell.
It will lead you to the source. Once you find it, you need to eliminate the source as soon as possible.
When there is a bad odour that is created from some water damage, it can be found either on ceilings or floors.
Of course, once you start noticing that mildew and mould are forming, it is high time to take some action and get rid of everything once and for all.
Reduce The Growth Of Fungi That Create A Bad Smell
Usually, water damage happens when conditions are a warm temperature, a dark space, and somewhere where the moisture will thrive.
The good thing is that you can use some fans or a dehumidifier to clear out the air.
On the other hand, if the moisture and damage have spread all over the home, it is time to take a larger machine, one that is more powerful.
Other than that, we have noticed that just having a dehumidifier usually does the job.
It helps with air circulation and reduces the growth of mildew or mould, and diminishes the pungent odour.
Easy Remedies
Whenever water damage happens in your home, the first thing you need to do is to assess the extent of the damage.
Once that is done, you can move on to the next step, which is the cleaning up part.
In addition, we will be providing you with some homemade remedies that can remove the smell of the water damage.
They are easy to make, all-natural, and don’t include any harsh chemicals.
1. Open the windows:
We know that this may seem like a pretty logical thing to do, but a lot of people seem to neglect this step. This will help you air out your home in a faster way, and will provide circulation of air, and ventilation too.
2. Get rid of the mould
The second thing is to start removing all of the mould and mildew that you can see. As we already mentioned, this is a common side effect of water damage, and it is the lead cause of that bad smell in your home. If you want to remove this fast, then use white vinegar only (without diluting it) and spray it all over the affected areas. This will remove the mold and the smell too.
3. Remove excess moisture:
A wet or dry vacuum is the perfect way to go in this situation. The fibers from the carpet can trap moisture, and this is how mould and mildew are created too. But, if you want to be a step faster, then use a wet or dry vacuum. Also, take some fans and point them in the direction of the affected area. That will help too.
4. Baking soda is a miracle
When it comes to the cheapest home remedies for removing odour created from water damage, baking soda is the best!
Sprinkle some of the baking soda on dry carpeting. Get a brush or a broom and work the baking soda well into the carpet. Since it is a natural deodorant, it will easily remove the odours from the carpet and it is safe to use around children and pets.
When you are done, just vacuum the baking soda from the carpet, and that is it!
5. Get a spray bottle
Take the bottle and fill it up with white vinegar. You can spray the upholstery with this vinegar bottle, and allow for the vinegar to dry out. Even though the vinegar has a pretty strong smell itself, it will air out quickly. The best part about it is, that it removes the musky odour along with it too!
6. Clean any washables
If you have any items that can be washed, and do not smell very good, wash them immediately. You can add a cup or two of white vinegar into the drum so they will be fresh and clean. The vinegar will remove the moldy smell from them.
If you have any questions about how to remove the foul odours from water damage or water damage restoration feel free to call us at 1-833-WE-DRY-IT or chat with us in near real-time on our Facebook fan page.
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