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How to Deodorize a Flooded Room

Flooded rooms, particularly basements, can quickly become stagnant and foul-smelling, if not quickly handled. But oftentimes, even after the offending water is removed and the space is dried, there is still a lingering smell. So, are there any remedies you can implement to help deodorize a flooded room, basement, or even other part of your property? While SERVPRO® provides thorough odor removal and deodorization services, there are certainly actions you can take yourself. SERVPRO is Here to Help® provide solutions.Home Remedies for Odor RemovalWhether a single room or entire floor has been permeated by a foul smell, be it from a burst pipe, storm surge, flash flood, or more, there are steps you can take to help minimize the odor. According to Better Homes & Gardens, the Mississippi State Department of Health, and the Chippewa County of Wisconsin, consider taking the following home remedy steps for deodorization, whether in a flooded basement or other area:Create a “simmer pot.” Consider putting items such as cloves, cinnamon sticks, and oranges into a pot, then adding water, covering the pot, and letting it simmer on your stove for several hours to help the scent permeate throughout the space.Use a chlorine bleach solution. With this option, you could first spray the affected surfaces in the flooded room with lukewarm water, which will help remove flood residue. Then, use a long-handled broom or coarse brush, scrubbing from the bottom up, to help ensure muddy streaks are not left. After, use hot water and a heavy-duty cleaner to scrub the surfaces again, going from bottom to top. After this, use two tablespoons of chlorine bleach per gallon of water, moistening a brush and using it to “rinse” the walls. (This process, from initial scrubbing to rinsing, should be repeated until the odor is gone.) Lastly, use a fan, dehumidifier, or air conditioner to help remove moisture from the basement or space.Use baking soda. Consider using 1 teaspoon of baking soda and dissolving it in 2 cups of hot water. Then, add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. Take this mixture, pour it into a spray bottle, and use the spray bottle anywhere the odor is present, using it like an air freshener.If your basement or flooded room is carpeted, once the water has been removed, you may also wish to sprinkle baking soda on the affected areas, let it sit for approximately 15 minutes, then vacuum up.How Does SERVPRO Remove Odors?Your local SERVPRO team of professionals will implement the following four-step odor removal process in your flooded or affected space:Removal of the odor source. In the first step, technicians will first locate and remove any odor-causing debris from the area (if possible).Cleanup of residue from affected surfaces. Next, affected surfaces are thoroughly cleaned, to help ensure odor-causing particles are removed.Re-create odor-penetrating conditions. In the third step, a specific kind of deodorizer is used to help recreate the way the odor was distributed in the first place. This will help follow odors to their source.Seal any surfaces that may be exposed to foul odors. Lastly, if the situation requires it, sealing may be used.Ultimately, SERVPRO restoration professionals may use one or more of the following products and procedures to help the smell disappear completely:Masking Agents. Although these are not used as a primary method of odor removal, masking agents (like air fresheners) may be used while legitimate deodorization is in progress, to help provide a pleasant aroma.Pairing Agents. These chemicals combine or pair with odor particles, and might be sprayed, wiped, or fogged. They might be a humectant (or highly absorptive) material, which causes the particles to precipitate down onto surfaces, so they can then be cleaned. Or, they might be a counteractant, which ultimately combines with an odor-causing particle to either change its properties, or destroy it.Filtration Agents. When using a filtration agent, the goal is to ultimately filter odor gases from the air, through the filtration agent itself. There are different ways to collect odors: absorption and adsorption. Absorption agents are comprised of inert fillers, perfume, and very absorptive compounds, while adsorption agents capture odor gases out of the air and hold them onto the agent’s surface.Disinfectants and Sanitizers. These may be used to help kill or control odor-causing fungi and/or bacteria.Enzyme Digesters. These are often used specifically for organic or protein-based odors. This is because enzymes help break down organic molecules into non-odor substances, which might include water or carbon dioxide.Air Purification. In this method, electronic filters use an electrically charged grid, which helps to kill microorganisms as they pass through the filter.Oxidation. This means a substance has combined with oxygen. In this case, hydroxyl or ozone generators may be used. These produce hydroxyl radicals or ozone gas, respectively, and can help permanently destroy odors.Combination Techniques. As a general note, deodorization often requires a combination of techniques to help successfully remove the odor(s).For Odor Removal Services and More, SERVPRO is Here to HelpDeodorization is an important step in helping return your property to pre-loss condition after disaster strikes. With 2,400 SERVPRO locations in the United States and Canada, rest assured restoration technicians can help provide a full-service cleanup job. From initial mitigation and debris, water, or other removal, to reconstruction that truly returns the space to pre-loss condition, “Like it never even happened,” SERVPRO franchises across North America are here to help and available 24/7, year-round.SERVPRO was founded in 1967 and has grown to become the #1 choice in fire and water cleanup and restoration*. No matter the type of property damage you sustain—whether you need minor carpet cleaning after your pet has an accident, or you need full-scale reconstruction services in your commercial property—SERVPRO is prepared to assist anytime. We understand the worry, stress, and displacement that can occur because of property damage, and are committed to helping provide elite cleanup, restoration, and reconstruction services around the clock.To learn more about SERVPRO and the cleanup and restoration industry, please visit our FAQ and glossary.