Odor Removal after Water Damage

11/26/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bay County provides 24-Hour emergency water damage restoration service in Panama City, Biltmore Beach, Port St. Joe, and surrounding areas.

Water damage of any kind is a severe problem that you want to resolve as fast as possible. Additionally, less favorable aspects of the damage can linger on after you finish the primary restoration process. Bad odor is one of those problems, which can result from a wide range of issues, including sewage waste dissolved in the floodwater, the scent from cleaning agents, and mold.

Why does water smell after time passes?

Removing all traces of smell left over after water damage to your commercial or residential property requires a clear understanding of why the smell occurred in the first place. Even clean water can smell when left stagnant over extended periods of time. Specific odors, such as the smell of rotten eggs, can indicate the presence of raw sewage, or the presence of hydrogen sulfide which is emitted when bacteria breaks down the natural sulfates in water. Some finishes or detergents can also leave scents behind that dissipate over time. Knowing the source of the smell helps determine which steps to take.

Removal of soiling and material deterioration 

The first step to eliminating odors after an event that causes water damage is to clean and remove all soils and deteriorated materials from the property. Various procedures are necessary for cleanup processes, including the use of cleaning agents to break down soils chemically, or agitation to manually remove stubborn soils and stains. Our SERVPRO of Bay County technicians can also remove carpets, pads, insulation, and other porous materials when necessary to eliminate odors.

Deodorization 

Once the clean-up process is complete, there is a need to perform a comprehensive deodorization exercise. Various steps can help with deodorization, including direct injection, if the odor is concentrated within a small section, spraying, or fogging. SERVPRO of Bay County professionals use ULV foggers, which atomize the deodorizing agent so that it can penetrate deep into materials. The deodorizer used may be a combination of both a masking agent for immediate concealment of the odor and a neutralizer that pairs with the odor particles destroying them.

Restoring a flooded property to look and smell fresh takes effort and efficiency. Call SERVPRO of Bay County today at (850) 785-1077: We're Faster to Any Size Disaster.