How to Remove Persistent Odors

8/6/2020 (Permalink)

Odors can present a persistent problem for property owners

Dealing with an odor problem can be one of the most annoying experiences for a property owner. Some odors can be neutralized using over-the-counter (OTC) products available at stores, but others are not that easy to eliminate. Skunk spray, serious pet urine odor, and decomposition smells are some of the most upsetting when they affect your hproperty. But although controlling those odors can be difficult, it can be achieved. Here are tips on how to deodorize a building properly.

Safety Comes First

Before you start getting rid of the odors, remember that safety is the most important thing. That’s because you might be dealing with some forms of biological contamination. You’ll need gloves, eye protection, and something that will cover your skin in case of a spill or splash. Also, wear an N-95 disposable respirator which you can purchase from any Home Depot or similar stores. The respirator will prevent anything from getting into the mucus membranes of your nose and mouth.

After you have ensured your safety, the first step in getting rid of an odor is removing the source.

How to Deodorize a Property Affected by Skunk Spray or Pet Urine

• Nonporous surfaces — If pet urine or skunk spray is on a nonporous surface, such as metal or plastic, thorough cleaning is the first step and may be enough. Since the odorous substance contains natural oils, which is the cause of the smell, you will want a strong detergent. Using warm water and strong detergent should be effective and should not take long. After washing the surface, rinse it with warm water. If the smell is still there, repeat the process. Make sure to rinse with warm water to clean away any residue left behind.
• Porous surfaces — If pet urine or skunk is on a porous surface, like carpet, particleboard, or upholstery, cleaning them is also the first step. Clean these as you would a non-porous surface. These surfaces are more difficult to clean, so if your efforts are not successful, or if the task is too overwhelming, call the restoration professionals at SERVPRO of Lynn/Lynnfield. Carpet and pad with excessive pet urine damage should usually be removed and discarded.
• Semiporous surfaces — On semiporous materials, such as wood, also clean with a solution of water and detergent as explained above. To help neutralize the odor, the detergent should penetrate the material. However, if the wood is heavily damaged by urine or skunk spray, it will most likely need to be disposed of. Seek assistance from a restoration company to improve your chances of restoring damaged semiporous material.

How to Deodorize a Property Affected by Decomposition Odor

• Dead body odors — If the issue involves a deceased person, professional assistance is strongly recommended. After the proper authorities have removed the body, cleaning and decontaminating the fluids come under Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Blood and Other Potentially Infectious Material (BOPIM) regulations. These regulations specify the training, equipment, safety issues, and products that must be used to safely remove and decontaminate an area damaged by BOPIM. Professional restoration companies follow these regulations to safely decontaminate areas where decomposition took place.
• Dead animal odors — In case the source of decomposition is a small animal, such as a rodent, the approach is similar to removing pet urine or skunk spray. Wear protective gear first, clean and sanitize non-porous and semi-porous material, and discard damaged absorbent material. Semi-porous and nonporous materials need to be thoroughly cleaned and then sanitized with a disinfectant. OTC disinfectants are very effective and will result in a clean and sanitary surface.

The odor should disappear after applying these tips on how to deodorize a property. If after your hard work the odor persists, call SERVPRO of Lynn/Lynnfield. We have specialized products and equipment, such as ozone or hydroxyl generators, that can be very effective in completing the deodorizing process.  781.593.6663