What Causes Foul Odors After a Flood at Your Business?

5/20/2021 (Permalink)

Mold growth in a wall due to humidity.

Reasons Odors May Linger After a Flood

There are many issues that can impact your Collegedale, TN, business after a violent storm, especially when flooding occurs. One problem that can be difficult to handle is the odor flooding causes, whether this happens due to mold growth or from powerful smells flood water often carries. There are several reasons odors may linger even after a restoration service drains the water away, and knowing their cause, as well as how your restoration techs will work to eliminate them, may give you peace of mind as you attempt to salvage your business.

Impure Water Sources
Violent storms often cause torrential downpours that cause rivers and creeks to flood their banks. When this water enters a business, it usually contains dirty water, animal feces and chemicals from a sewage loss in the area. Porous building materials, such as carpeting and drywall, may absorb the odor of this water, causing it to linger for months. A tear-out and replacement of these materials can eliminate the smell.

Mold
Mold can form quickly after a flood, and in some cases can form as quickly as 24-48 hours after the initial event. Large patches of mold growth can hide in a variety of places inside your building, including:

• Under carpet padding
• In HVAC ducts
• Behind walls
  

When mold goes unchecked, it can create a smell that may remind you of wet, dirty socks. If you have a mold problem in your ducts, mold spores may spread to other areas and increase the odor. Your restoration technicians can target and destroy any mold left behind by flood water and then deodorize the air with ozone machines to ensure the smell does not linger.

Sewage Problems
A storm may cause sewage issues in your area and cause your building's toilets to back up and overflow. When multiple toilets erupt, the resulting odor can be overpowering. Your storm damage and restoration service will probably use large hoses and deodorizing techniques to clear away this problematic mess.
When mold growth and other problems caused by storm flooding affect your Collegedale, TN, business and cause foul odors, this can drive customers away. Knowing what causes these odors and when to call for help may provide you with effective solutions.