3 Tips for Removing Odors Caused by Flooding

1/12/2021 (Permalink)

Flood damage in a New Briton, PA home

Three Tips To Help You Remove Odors From Your Home After a Flood

A home that has been flooded may retain lingering odors long after the physical damage to the property has been repaired. This musty smell is often caused by mold growth but may be caused by sewage loss or other issues. These three tips will help you remove odors from your home after a flood.

1. Throw Out Items Made From Porous Materials
Flood water can seep into porous materials, such as the fabric of upholstered furniture, causing mold and bacteria to grow. It is difficult to completely dry out and clean items such as upholstery, carpet pads, and mattresses, so it is best to discard them. However, you may want to check with your insurance company before you make any final decisions on what to keep and what to salvage.

2. Remove Mold
Mold growth is one of the most common sources of musty odors after a flood. This is because mold flourishes in the sort of dark, damp conditions that exist in most flooded homes. Mold can grow on any surface of your home, including furniture, clothing, cabinets, carpets, walls, and curtains. Even your children's stuffed toys can be a fertile breeding ground. Widespread mold is difficult to eliminate without the proper equipment and training. A professional mold remediation company in New Briton, PA, can assist you with the mold removal process.

3. Clean Your Contents
If you attempted to wash and dry your water damaged contents yourself, you may have some items that look clean, but harbor mold and bacteria that is causing your odor problem. You can try cleaning them again with an anti-bacterial cleanser, but you may have more success by utilizing a professional content cleaning service. Make sure you thoroughly dry anything you clean before you bring it back in the house.
Lingering odors due to mold growth or bacteria can be an extremely frustrating consequence of flood damage. These three tips can help you remove unpleasant odors from your home.