Did you know that humans can identify more than one trillion smells? When you’re walking through a rose garden or smelling your supper, that’s a great thing. However, when there’s a less than pleasant scent, you probably wish that your nose would take the day off.
It’s even worse if that strange odor is coming from your house. Sometimes odor solutions like opening a window and spraying Febreze just aren’t enough.
In this case, odor removal services can help with odor problems. However, how do you know it’s time to toss your home remedies in the closet and pick up the phone?
Keep reading for signs that it’s time to hire an odor removal service.
1. Sewage Smell
Decaying sewage causes sewage gas. This is a mix of chemicals that get created by the decaying process.
This can lead to a rotten egg smell that can permeate your home. No matter how much air freshener you spray, it won’t be enough.
If your home smells like sewage, pick up your phone. You need to get professional help because sewage doesn’t just smell bad.
It can also carry bacteria and diseases that can harm people who come into contact with it. One of the reasons this problem can occur is due to flooding that leaves standing water.
2. Smells From Mold and Mildew
Does your home smell like decaying wood or wet socks? If you don’t generally leave wet socks lying around, you might have a problem with mold and mildew.
Mold and mildew leave behind a smell described as musty, stale, and earthy. Between the humidity and hurricanes, Florida homes are more prone to mold and mildew.
Mold and mildew thrive in spaces that have excessive moisture and are dark. Ignoring mold and mildew in your home isn’t just going to leave your home smelling musty.
It also puts you at risk for health problems associated with mold and mildew. Some of these health concerns include:
- Wheezing
- Sore eyes
- Itchy skin
- Coughing
- Headaches
- Stuffy noses
- Nausea
- Joint pain
If your home smells like mold and mildew are trying to make a home there, it’s time to call a professional for odor remediation.
You’ve Had Mold Before
If you’ve had mold removed before, you are not immune to it returning. It’s going to keep trying to grow in spaces that are dark and cooler. You can talk to a professional about what to do to try to prevent it; however, if that musty scent seems to be coming back, it’s time to call a professional.
They can help you address the fact that the scent is returning and the mold.
3. Smoke Smell
That post-bonfire smell is great when it lingers on your sweater. However, if your home has experienced a fire, that’s one place where you don’t want the smell of smoke to linger.
In addition, if you’re a smoker, the smell of cigarette smoke can create a lingering smell in your house. It can also leave a residue that lingers in your home.
You can try home remedies to get rid of the smell; however, it’s often not enough. A faint smell of smoke can linger long-term.
If you truly want to get rid of a smoke smell in your house, you should bring in a professional.
4. Smells From Pet Dander
Your furry friends shed microscopic flecks of skin; these flecks get referred to as dander. Pet dander isn’t quite as serious as mold and mildew. However, for individuals with allergies, it can be an issue.
With a little bit of dander, you won’t notice smells or issues. The problem is that over time the smell from pet dander can build up.
Pet dander can also get recirculated by your HVAC system. Here’s the big problem with this smell, though, you might not notice it.
Bad odors from pet dander build up over time. Because you’re constantly exposed to it, you can get used to the smell over time. However, when you have guests over, they will likely notice the smell.
Getting a high-efficiency air filter and regularly cleaning your home can help. In addition, calling an odor removal service can help you rid your home of that smell as well.
5. Pet Urine Smells
Have you ever walked into a home where pets regularly have accidents? Or act out and express their displeasure by peeing everywhere except where they’re supposed to?
When you walk into a home, and the first thing that hits you is the smell of pet urine, it makes you want to turn around and walk right back out. Sometimes it doesn’t matter how many store-bought products you buy or how quickly you clean up your pet’s mess.
The smell of pet urine can linger unpleasantly. In addition, one thing you might notice is that pet urine smells strongly of ammonia. Ammonia is an irritant to your lungs, and residing in a house that smells heavily of pet urine can cause issues for sensitive and non-sensitive people.
Odor removal professionals can help you get rid of the lingering smells in your home, making it a more pleasant place to live.
6. Rotting Food Smell
Certain foods can leave behind unpleasant scents when they go bad. The fortunate thing is that generally, you can get rid of the smell of rotting food simply by getting rid of the source and airing out your home.
However, like other smells, sometimes it’s not possible to get rid of the smell using home remedies. The smell of rotting food is important to get rid of for a couple of reasons.
First, you don’t want to smell rotting food in your home, no one does, and we don’t blame you. Second, when the food begins to mold and goes bad, it creates bacteria and microbes.
This is what causes the smell. However, it can also attract bugs. If you have a rotting food smell that just won’t go away, call a professional.
7. You’re Selling Your Home
Is there a lingering scent in your home that you just can’t get rid of? If you’re getting ready to sell your home, scents matter.
A bad smell in your home can scare buyers away. However, some smells can attract smells.
Before you put your house on the market, it’s time to hire an odor removal service. They can help you get rid of that lingering odor so you can emphasize scents that will help you sell.
8. Water Damage
in Florida, hurricane season can leave many homes with water damage. It’s important to address this damage before it becomes an issue.
If you don’t, the damage can get worse and begin to impact other aspects of your home. For example, it can cause electrical problems and compromise structural integrity.
It can also create bad smells in your home. These bad smells can get caused problems with sewage backing up or by mold and mildew.
If you’ve ignored your water damage and your home is starting to have a lingering smell, it’s time to call a professional. A professional can help you get rid of the odor and address the water damage that caused the issue.
9. You Can’t Identify the Source of the Smells
All smells start somewhere, but sometimes identifying the source of a bad odor can feel impossible.
It’s easy to use “quick solutions” like candles, air fresheners, and other methods to cover up smells. However, with lingering smells that persist, a cover-up is not going to be enough.
You won’t be able to get rid of a scent if you can’t identify what’s causing it in the first place. You need to get to the root of the problem in order to fix it.
Odor removal specialists can help you identify what’s causing the scent. They can then work with you to create a plan for getting back to a home that smells good.
Find the Right Odor Removal Services
Bad odors in your home can be a challenge. There are multiple factors that cause the odor, and at-home remedies won’t always work to get rid of it.
To address the scent, you need to get to the root of the problem. This will help get rid of the smell instead of just covering it up with store-bought products.
Are you ready to get rid of the lingering smell in your home or business? The right odor removal services can help you breathe deep again.
Big Easy Restoration techs are trained to identify smells at their source and eliminate them. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for your space.
