Water Damage Odor Removal and Sanitization

Find what is still wet or moldy and remove or dry it. Then clean surfaces, disinfect after dirty water, and treat the air with HEPA filtration. Deodorizing only works as the last step, once the source is gone.

Often, but not always. Damp materials can smell musty before mold is visible. The EPA says you may suspect hidden mold if a building smells moldy but you cannot see the source. A moisture check and a look inside walls or under floors give the answer.

As long as the source is there. Once wet materials are removed or dried and the area is cleaned, the smell usually fades within days. A smell that returns on humid days points to something still damp.

Not around people or pets. The EPA says no federal agency has approved ozone generators for occupied spaces and that ozone can damage the lungs. If a company uses ozone, the space must be empty during treatment and aired out after.

Removing contaminated porous materials, cleaning surfaces with detergent and water, and applying an EPA-registered disinfectant as the label directs, including how long it must stay wet. It matters most after sewage or dirty water.

Not as a first step. The EPA says biocides like bleach are not recommended as a routine practice for mold, and bleach does not fix a wet source. Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners.

Possible causes include a dry floor drain trap, a cracked sewer lateral, or a backup that left residue. In Oakland, EBMUD’s lateral program exists because damaged laterals let rainwater into sewer pipes. A plumber can check the line, and residue needs cleanup.

The system may be pulling air from a damp crawl space, or the ducts or drain pan may be wet or moldy. Have the HVAC and ducts inspected, and check under the house if you have a raised floor.