3 Tips for Getting Rid of Flood Odors

11/10/2021 (Permalink)

A flooded warehouse in Hamilton Mill, GA.

How To Get Rid Of Flood Odors In Your Building

It isn't uncommon for musty odors to remain after the flood water has affected your building. Unfortunately, those smells generally signal mold growth and won't just go away with time. The good news is that there are steps you can take to get rid of those smells and protect the structure of your building in the process.

1. Completely Dry the Area

There are several methods of drying out rooms in your building, such as opening windows to provide plenty of ventilation, running dehumidifiers to pull moisture from the air and the carpets, and installing floor fans to increase circulation at carpet level. Don't forget to pay attention to the corners of the room and other out-of-the-way areas. These spots are notorious for remaining moist and harboring colonies of mold.

2. Treat Carpeting and Other Materials With Disinfectants

Some of the chemicals used to treat mold and other odors associated with flooding are necessarily potent. Water restoration professionals have these disinfectants and the training necessary to use them safely, so consider scheduling an appointment with those professionals early on in the process. If only a small area has been affected, you may consider using a vinegar/water mixture to spot-treat. Just be careful not to use too much of the mixture or you'll trigger increased mold growth.

3. Treat Odors Topically

As you work on the underlying causes of odors, you may want to take steps such as using air fresheners or natural deodorizers, such as baking soda sprinkled on affected areas and bowls of vinegar placed around the room. Small bowls of cat litter will also absorb much of the odor in the space. As soon as your vinegar, baking soda, and cat litter have absorbed trouble odors, throw it out and replace it with a fresh bowl.

If you've experienced sewage loss during flooding, be aware of the dangers of coming into contact with raw sewage and the chemicals involved in treating sewage. It's best to contact trained professionals in Hamilton Mill, GA, to resolve mold growth in those situations.