Sniffing Out A Problem

7/8/2019 (Permalink)

Sniffing Out A Problem

  When you consider that most of the jobs that SERVPRO of Sussex County tackles involve a clear cause; an exception would be issues involving odor.  A water intrusion from a storm or broken pipe usually can be traced to a failed critical control point or a structural weakness; leaving little or no doubt or mystery as to the cause of the damage.  The same can be asserted for fire damage as well.  It is easy to solve the riddle when tangible clues are present.

  Generally, when a complaint is received involving odor; the culprit can be obvious or not.  When you enter a home, office or business and encounter a musty, mildew smell – the cause is typically moisture or growth.  Once these causes are suspected we apply technology to make our suspicions accurate.  The smell of smoke or soot is also fairly easy to determine just by trusting your senses.  We also respond to odors occurring from dead animals in attics and crawlspaces – again these examples offer a definitive smell that most would recognize. 

  The challenge with odor diagnosis usually begins with a difference of opinion.  Every nose has an opinion and since we generally arrive at an odor job after the smell has permeated the area – it is difficult to assume just what the location smelled like before the issue began.  Furthermore; an odor can change and may be stronger at certain times.  Recently, we had a customer who had an odor which was very similar to a chemical – musty blend – so our instincts led us to seek out moisture and or any saturation of cleaning or other chemicals in the area.  This case proved baffling since according to the owner – no chemical smell had ever been present before.  Ultimately, we had to demo some of the flooring and determined that the odor was due to a moisture problem and our deduction was reinforced by the presence of an abundance of water that our dehumidifiers removed from the air over several days.  Odor can be tricky and elusive.

  If you have a funny smell present at your home or business – please call SERVPRO of Sussex County at 800-856-9768 and we will investigate and eradicate!