Beyond the Spill: Conquering Lingering Odors After Water Damage

Identifying All Sources of Water Entry

When you call us about water damage, the first thing we do is conduct a comprehensive inspection of your entire property. This will alert us to where the water is coming from. Water travels the path of least resistance, so a puddle in your living room doesn’t necessarily mean it dripped in from directly overhead. It’s important to find where the water is coming from, so we can stop more of it from coming in and also treat any water-damaged materials along the way.

We’ll look for signs of water stains, discoloration, or dampness on walls. We’ll also use a moisture meter to find areas of wetness that might not be showing up in a visual inspection. From there, we can often determine if the water came in from the roof – from a plumbing issue, or blew in through a leaky window during a storm.

Thorough Drying

Once we have found all of the places where water is hiding and have addressed any leaks or other breaches, it’s time to thoroughly dry every place that’s wet. Removing the water will help prevent bacteria and mold from growing, which will cut down on odors.

We have various ways of removing water. Wet/dry vacuums are good for removing relatively large amounts of standing water. We also use industrial-strength dehumidifiers to help reduce humidity in the air, which allows more water to evaporate from surfaces and materials.

Opening the windows and using fans also aids in drying both the air and the surfaces. The more quickly we can remove excess moisture, the less likely it will be that you’ll have lingering odors.

Mold and Mildew Remediation

Removing the water quickly goes a long way when it comes to preventing mold, but it can’t always prevent it all. Mold spores live in the air and settle on surfaces; this is true in every home. They don’t become activated, however, unless and until they meet the right conditions. Those conditions are dampness and darkness. If we can remove the dampness, that helps.

If mold has started growing, however, it will need to be removed and treated. Some forms of mold are dangerous, so I suggest you depend on a professional to handle this for you. They’ll be able to remove mold without contaminating the rest of the house with the spores.

Cleaning Carpets and Upholstery

Carpets, upholstery, and other porous surfaces love to hold onto water, and they also can become quite smelly. In some cases, we’ll need to replace these materials. Other times, however, we can extract the water, get them nice and dry, and prevent odors from occurring. 

Steam cleaning is one method we might use. It seems contradictory to introduce more moisture into an already damp environment, but the high temperatures can kill some of the mold and bacteria living in the carpet, which can reduce odors. Carpet To Go explains more about how to prevent mold and odors in the carpet.

I can give you more specific advice depending on your specific situation. Knowing whether the water is clean or dirty, how much water there was, and what type of carpets you have all factor into the decision of whether to clean or replace them.

Conclusion

Dealing with water damage can be challenging, and having lingering odors long after the fact is discouraging. If you have water infiltration in your home, my team can find the source, stop it, dry it up, and work with you to prevent mold and carpet smells. The most important thing to keep in mind is that quick action is vital. At Standard Restoration, we answer calls 24/7, so don’t hesitate to call at any time of the day or night if you have a water emergency.

Source

• https://carpettogo.com/7-tips-drying-wet-carpet-preventing-mold-growth/