How To Get Flood Smell Out Of Your House
In the first week of March, our family home in Lismore NSW was standing in 60 cm of water, having been completely submerged in the unprecedented flood. My partner Simon's daughter and family are safe thank goodness but the clean-up has been massive and the rebuild will take months!
Why does flood water smell?
When a river breaks its banks and inundates an urban settlement, the water becomes contaminated with all sorts of pathogens and chemicals. When the waters subside, everything that has been under water is covered in a layer of noxious, foul-smelling mud.
How to restore a home after flooding
The first thing that a home-owner needs to do is safely remove the mud. Soft furnishings which can be laundered may be saved but couches and mattresses usually need to be discarded.
How to dry out a home after flood
Once mud has been completely washed away, the house must be thoroughly dried. Empty hidden pockets of water by removing skirting and remove at least some of the lining. Fans, heaters and dehumidifiers can be deployed as needed.
The smell lingers on
Even after cleaning and drying, the stench of flood can be quite stubborn. For this situation, we recommend a household ozone air generator such as the Purimax range.
How to use an air ozone generator
A home air ozone generator is a shoebox-sized appliance which employs an internal fan to distribute ozone around the room, controlled by a timer. It creates ozone gas from the atmospheric oxygen and ensures that it reaches every nook and cranny. If you have ceiling fans or aircon, turn them on as well. See this below video demonstration to see how to use it.
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Does ozone purify the air?
Ozone is a highly reactive form of oxygen which combines with other compounds in the environment, quickly eliminating odours, mould, mildew and spores. Most people find that one to three treatments in each affected room is enough to dispel lingering flood odour.
“Works really well, removed musty smells from a house and easy to use should they return. Strongly recommend as it does all surfaces and very safe if you follow the instructions. We left the rooms for a few hours after and most of the residual smell was gone.”
How to use an air ozone generator
Because ozone can irritate the lungs, it is important to ensure no humans or animals are in the room while it is being treated. Ensure that the air ozone generator is large enough for the room size. You can find a guide showing room size vs ozone generator half way down this page.
Seal up the doors and flick the switch
Set the ozone generator up in the middle of the room, elevated if possible, such as on a stool. Seal off doors and windows and switch on fans. Set the timer on the unit and switch it on then leave the room immediately.
One hour later
For a persistent odour such as floods, run the ozone generator for 30 minutes then leave another 30 minutes for the ozone to dissipate. Then enter the room and open all the doors and windows. You will notice a sharp smell in the air like a storm in spring. The unpleasant smells should be greatly diminished.
See also our blog 9 Steps to Eliminate Mould Naturally.
How many times do I need to ozonate the room?
Depending on the type of odour being treated, one to three treatments spaced three days apart will usually eliminate the most common odours left behind by flood, assuming that all the mud has been found and cleaned. For persistent or recurring odours, simply treat the room once per week and prevent mould from occuring.
We send our deepest condolences to all those who have lost so much in these extreme weather events. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any advice.