You remove the obvious source, clean the affected area, and the odor seems to be gone. Then it comes back.
Why?
Odors can spread beyond their original source and affect porous materials, contents, hidden spaces, and other areas of a structure. That means successful odor removal often requires more than simply applying a deodorizer.
The key is to identify where the odor came from, determine where the contamination traveled, and choose a treatment method that addresses the entire affected area.
Here are four principles to keep in mind when tackling an odor problem.
1. Find and Remove the Source
The first step in odor removal is locating the source.
Trying to cover an odor without addressing the contamination behind it may provide only temporary results. Depending on the situation, source removal could involve disposing of contaminated materials, removing debris, extracting a spill, or cleaning affected surfaces.
The type of odor also matters. Smoke, biological contamination, chemical odors, and other sources may require different cleaning and deodorization approaches.
Before choosing a treatment, determine what is producing the odor and how extensively the surrounding area has been affected.
2. Clean the Contaminated Areas
Removing the source doesn't necessarily mean the job is finished.
Surrounding surfaces and materials may also contain residues that continue producing odors. These areas should be thoroughly cleaned using methods appropriate for the material and type of contamination.
For example, a liquid spill may penetrate through carpet into the backing or cushion. Treating only the visible surface may leave odor-producing material behind.
Fire and smoke losses can present an even wider challenge because residues may affect walls, ceilings, flooring, furnishings, contents, and other areas throughout the structure.
The goal is to physically remove as much contamination as practical before moving on to additional deodorization.
3. Match the Treatment to How the Odor Traveled
One of the most important principles of deodorization is making sure the treatment reaches the same areas the odor-producing contamination reached.
If smoke traveled throughout a room, treating only the area where the fire originated may not solve the problem. If liquid contamination penetrated beneath the carpet, surface treatment alone may not reach it.
Depending on the loss, odor may also affect contents, concealed spaces, or HVAC components. These areas should be evaluated when determining the extent of the problem.
Professional deodorization methods can include direct application of odor counteractants, vapor or fogging treatments, air filtration and adsorption, and other specialized processes. The appropriate method depends on the source, affected materials, severity of contamination, and conditions at the jobsite.
No single deodorization method is appropriate for every situation.
Specialized equipment and chemical treatments should always be used according to manufacturer instructions and applicable safety requirements, including appropriate PPE, ventilation, and occupancy restrictions.
4. Seal Materials When Necessary
In some situations, an affected building material may be structurally sound and worth salvaging but continue releasing an odor even after appropriate cleaning and treatment.
A suitable sealer or encapsulant may help control remaining odor emissions from certain materials.
However, sealing should not be used as a substitute for source removal or cleaning. The affected surface should first be cleaned and treated as thoroughly as practical before sealing is considered.
The material, type of contamination, condition of the surface, and intended use of the sealer should all be evaluated before application.
How Do You Know If Deodorization Worked?
Odor evaluation shouldn't necessarily end immediately after treatment.
Allow cleaned materials to dry and temporary treatment odors to dissipate before evaluating the final result. If the original odor returns, additional investigation may be necessary to identify contamination that was missed or materials that continue to retain odor.
This is especially important with porous materials, contents, and areas where contamination may have traveled beyond the obvious source.
Professional odor removal is about more than making a space smell better.
A successful approach generally follows four principles:
- Find and remove the source.
- Clean affected materials and surfaces.
- Use a treatment method capable of reaching where the odor traveled.
- Seal appropriate materials only when necessary.
When an odor keeps returning, it may be a sign that the source wasn't completely removed, contamination remains somewhere in the structure, or the treatment didn't reach every affected area.
A thorough inspection and systematic approach can help identify the cause and reduce the chance of persistent odors and callbacks.
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