If you’ve recently had a flood or a leaky pipe in your house, chances are you’ll soon notice a distinct water damage odor resulting from these disasters. Don’t ignore your nose. Such an odor may be a sign of mold or mildew growth in your house caused by water damage. You’ll want to conduct water damage repair as soon as possible. Here’s your guide to water damage restoration services, why they’re necessary, and how a water mitigation company can help you eradicate water damage odors.
Reasons for Water Damage
There are many possible reasons why your house may have water damage. Some potential causes to watch out for include:
- Clogged toilets.
- A leaky dishwasher or broken dishwasher hose.
- Broken or leaky pipes.
- Overflow from washing machines.
- Leaky roof.
- Cracks in the foundation.
- Natural causes from floods, heavy snow, or rain.
Why Water Mitigation Is Necessary
Water damage restoration is necessary because excess water can significantly harm your property and health. When left untreated, moisture can become trapped within your home’s materials, causing deterioration and requiring expensive repairs. Similarly, water damage can lead to the growth of mold and mildew. In addition to a foul odor, mold can cause health issues like allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and other upper-respiratory problems.
Remedies for Water Damage Odors
The first step in any water damage mitigation plan is to stop the source of the water. Locating and fixing the source of the water is necessary before moving on to correcting any odor or mold that has formed because of this water. Next, you’ll want to dry out the affected area.
Drying the affected area is paramount, but you’ll also want to check for other areas of moisture. To be safe, drying out the entire home is never a bad idea. You can use dehumidifiers, air-moving machines, and fans to help dry your house. Additionally, if it’s warm and dry outside, you can open your windows to get a breeze and improve airflow.
Once the house is dry, you can treat mold and mildew that may have formed. You can clean mold spots by scrubbing surfaces with a mixture of detergent and warm water. For carpets, you can eliminate water damage odors by sprinkling baking soda on the affected area, letting it sit overnight, then removing it with a vacuum the following day. On affected upholstery, you can use white vinegar to absorb any odors. Use a spray bottle with white vinegar to target water-damaged upholstery. Vinegar has a strong, distinct smell but will disappear as it dries.
Water Damage Restoration Near Me
Ultimately, if the affected area is larger than 10 square feet, or the odor isn’t dissipating after you’ve treated it, you should contact a professional restoration company before the problem increases. If you’re searching for “water restoration near me” or a “water mitigation company near me” in the VA Peninsula, make sure you contact Steamatic of VA Peninsula.
Built on a foundation of high standards and reliability, with over 20 years of experience, Steamatic of VA Peninsula can handle restoration and cleaning services of all kinds, including water damage restoration. When you hire us, you can turn a catastrophe into a slight inconvenience.
