Restoring your property after flood damage, Elmwood, Wisconsin entails a lot of things — apart from drying up the space and treating moldy areas, you also have to get rid of the musty smell left by the rain water. Stale and earthy, the smell can be a health hazard when not removed immediately.
In this article, we’re giving you nine tested tips on how to make your place pungent smell-free after flood damage.
Never mask the pungent smell. One of the common mistakes made by homeowners after smelling bad odor is masking it off by spraying purifiers and perfumes without getting to the root cause of the issue. Avoid doing it all costs if you want to really make your space free from pungent smell.
Locate the source of smell. If you notice a musty odor in your home, it could mean that a part of your residential space has been damaged by water. Especially if it is rain water, you have to locate the affected area and source of smell as soon as possible. The most common culprits are the attic, basement, and crawlspaces.
Remove the source and damaged materials. After identifying the affected area, the next step is to resolve the source of the water damage — whether it’s a cracked wall or a leaking pipe. Damaged materials should be removed — if they can be repaired, do so with the help of flood damage, Elmwood, Wisconsin restoration experts. Make sure to get rid of unsalvageable ones.
Dry the affected area. Get rid of any traces of water and ensure that the affected area is thoroughly dried out. Removing excess water immediately will help you prevent the damage from worsening.
Get rid of mold. Damp and high-moisture areas encourage the growth of mold. If a part of your home has been flooded, one of the pressing issues you have to deal with is combating these microorganisms that contribute to the musty odor you smell. Commercial cleaning agents, bleach, or vinegar can be used to treat moldy areas.
Ventilate and deodorize the area. Clean the area and make sure air flows freely by opening your windows and door (if it’s not humid outside). If this isn’t possible, use heaters and overhead fans. Deodorize the space using air fresheners.
Deodorize and clean the air. As the smell has probably gone beyond the affected area, make sure to deodorize other parts of your home. Household items like vinegar and baking soda can help you freshen up the air in your abode.
Work with flood damage restoration experts. To ensure your property is thoroughly cleaned and restored following flood damage, Elmwood, Wisconsin, it’s highly recommended to get help from the experts. Not only do they get rid of the bad smell but, they also have the right tools to treat and remove mold and mildew.
Observe precautionary measures in the future. To prevent your home from getting water-damaged, make it a habit to always inspect your piping system and check for possible leakage. Examine your walls and high-moisture areas for any cracks and address them immediately.
Don’t succumb to the stress of dealing with flood damage, Elmwood, Wisconsin. You are not alone! Our team at ERS has been helping home and business owners in the past 25 years recover after a disaster. Contact us today.
