Have you noticed water damage odor lingering? If your home recently had a flood or leak and your nose won’t let you forget, it’s time to think about how to eliminate the odor of water damage. Musty, heavy smells are unpleasant for residents, and if the smell is the result of an active mold or mildew infestation it could be a sign of a serious health risk as well. With this in mind, knowing how to eliminate water damage odor, becomes imperative.
Dry the affected area
First things first, be sure to dry every part of your house. Of course you make sure the damaged area gets totally dry, but don’t forget to check your home for other sources of moisture. Kitchens, bathrooms, and the corners of basements are all common areas for the mold that causes water damage odor to grow.
Use dehumidifiers and air-moving fans to dry out any moisture that you find in your home. If the weather outside is warm and dry, open the windows to get a breeze into the room. Remember to empty the pans of dehumidifiers promptly. If the water and/or dampness doesn’t seem to be receding, you should consult a professional water damage restoration company. Professional, quality air-moving fans and dehumidifiers pack a much bigger punch than their residential counterparts.
Combat mold
After you’ve dried up all moisture in your home, begin ridding your home of any mold that may have grown. Mold does present a health concern for humans and pets. In low concentrations the spores may not even be noticeable, but an active colony releasing spores can irritate and inflame the lungs. Additionally, bacteria feast on the waste that mold produces. This can weaken the structure of your home and causes a lot of the water damage odor that troubles homeowners.
Thankfully, mold begins to die on its own, which helps to speed up the process after you’ve dried up the moisture. To speed the process along you can scrub an area with hot/warm water and soap. Don’t let the moisture linger once you’re done washing the walls or floor. You don’t want to cause more water damage. For surfaces that aren’t easy to clean, you can try spraying them lightly with white vinegar. The smell will be highly unpleasant, but this both helps kill bacteria and mold and evaporates quickly. Once the vinegar is gone, so should your water damage odor problem.
Don’t mask water damage odor
If you have an issue with water damage odor that has resisted your attempts to clean it up, don’t settle for masking it. Potpourri is a tempting solution when you’re at the end of your rope. Masking the smell may prevent the unpleasant odor, but won’t stop any health risks that mold and mildew pose. If smell seems to be lingering, it’s more likely that there’s some water damage you haven’t found yet. A professional water damage restoration company will be able to find any hidden water damage and get to the bottom of the odor. Ignoring this problem won’t make it go away: mildew, mold, and water damage odor only gets worse.
Know what to do
Knowing how to eliminate water damage odor is important to you as a homeowner. Never ignore musty smells that come from water damage, and don’t try to mask them either. Make sure you dry up any moisture found in your home, as this helps to stop mold growth. You can use dehumidifiers and air-moving fans to help dry up moisture in your home. If you need help, call a professional water damage restoration company.