Your house has been flooded. You take out your cleaning gear, prepare your kids and start cleaning the house diligently. After hours of hard work, the water is finally out your doors. Genuinely relieved, you sit on your sofa to watch your favorite nighttime show and that is when it strikes you. A strange, musty odor whips past through your nose signifying that your job is not done yet.
It’s probable time to get your clean gear out again. Here’s what you do next:
Find the Source
Assuming that you have regrouped your forces within, the first thing to do would be to identify the source of the smell. The smell means that there is mold and mildew in your house and you can find the source by looking for a damp and dark place as they usually reside there. From areas of your basement to pipes, make sure you look everywhere. You may have to crawl or jump through places you do not normally visit.
Remove Everything Wet and Damaged
Whether it is fiberboard or sheetrock, it would not make any sense for you to keep them if they are damaged. Getting rid of them would be a good idea.
For a carpet that has acquired mold and mildew, it would be a good idea to remove it from the flooring and keep it in a clean and dry room. Both the floor structure and carpet need to be cleaned separately.
Clean
For upholstery cleaning, white vinegar is an incredible option. Spray it on the affected area and scrub it. As soon as the air dries, it is very likely that the musty odor is gone.
For carpets, using a mixture of water and baking soda will most likely do the trick. Sprinkle the mixture and scrub the area with a clean brush. Also, vacuum your carpet the next day to be on safe side.
Make sure that you wear gloves and protective mask while doing all the cleaning.
Ventilate
After you have cleaned the affected areas, it’s time to get them dry with airflow. Turn on the fans and open windows to let smell pass through. Not only will fresh air make drying process quicker, it will make sure that the musty smell is permanently warded off.
This is the time you can finally breathe a sigh of relief.
However sometimes, the odor problem may still persist. If this is the case, you may be required to hire professionals. From odor removal to flood water damage repair orange county CA, the professionals at Water Damage Orange County have the necessary skills to handle all kinds of water damage restoration projects in Orange County, California. They also provide a range of efficient drying equipment for commercial and residential property owners.
