Fighting an After-Flood Smell

9/27/2019 (Permalink)

This home flooded due to a storm in Cedar City, UT and suffered severe water damage.

Have you ever been inside a building or car that has recently flooded? If so, you know the stench that flood water often leaves behind. The combination of mold growth and sewage loss can create a foul odor.

Before you learn how to expel this smell, there are a few things you should never try to in Cedar City, UT:

• Cover the odor up with other scents
• Ignore it
• Think bleach alone can work
• Keep the doors and windows closed

Don't Try This at Home

Instead, try the following methods:

Call a Professional

The first thing you should do when you notice that musty odor is to call a restoration crew. Mold growth is no small problem. It can cause structural and health issues. A cleanup company has the necessary tools and experience to solve your problem.

Dry While You Wait

In many cases, professionals from a flood water restoration company can come quickly after you call. However, there are a few things you can do while you await their arrival. First, do your best to dry out the affected area.

You can open doors and windows to get air flowing. If the weather doesn't permit you to open your windows, try firing up the dehumidifier instead. Furthermore, you should keep children and pets away from the area.

Clean Furniture

If your furniture was in the path of the flood, you might wish to start getting the musty smell out of the upholstery. It may seem counterintuitive, but white vinegar can help absorb the odor. Spray some on affected areas and wait for the vinegar smell to dissipate. When it does, you may notice the mold smell has gone with it.

There’s no doubt that the smell of mold growth after flood water affects your home can be sickening. In addition to these measures, be sure to call a professional in Cedar City, UT, to rid your home of mold.