Getting Rid of Water Odor

Hi, I have a property where I had a water leak in the basement. Well, I fixed the leak, it's completely dry and I also got rid of everything that was damaged from the water. But I can't seem to get rid of the water smell in the basement. It's a huge basement, so certain parts are enclosed without a window. Even though the actual water is gone, I'm afraid that the smell is going to scare the potential buyers away. So, if anyone has suggestion on how to get rid of the water odor, please reply back. Thanks for all responses!!!

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:22AM

Ralph S.

Real Estate Investor

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Icon_minipost May 27 '09, 10:56 PM

Dry is a relative term. Check the humidity. I'm going to guess the humidity is still there. You can try a fan in a window for a few days to cycle outside air through the basement to lower the humidity, but in GA's already humid environment, that's not likely to help much. Another option would be to put a dehumidifier in the basement. This will dry the air and moisture trapped in the walls, floors, and ceiling will equalize with the air.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:22AM

Josh Green

Banker · Tampa Area, Florida

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Icon_minipost May 27 '09, 11:13 PM

bleach like crazy?

or, there are some articles on here about pet odors stuck in concrete and many rave about sealing and painting the concrete. try that!

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:22AM

Anson Young

Wholesaler · Denver, Colorado

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Icon_minipost Jun 04 '09, 05:55 AM

Originally posted by Josh Green

bleach like crazy?

or, there are some articles on here about pet odors stuck in concrete and many rave about sealing and painting the concrete. try that!

A product called KILZ is a latex based primer/sealer. You can cover up the worst pet odors with that stuff and the pets wont come back and use the floor as a bathroom anymore (cant smell their previous escapades), should help with the water 'wet' smell. That or get a dehumidifier or rent one, and see if that takes care of the humidity?

Anson

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:27AM

J Scott

Real Estate Investor · Atlanta, Georgia

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Icon_minipost Jun 04 '09, 10:51 PM

When you said you can't get rid of "the water smell," I'm assuming you're actually talking about the musty/moldy smell, right?

If this is the case here are a couple recommendations:

- Make sure the leak is really contained. If there is still moisture seeping in, mold will continue to grow. You get rid of mold by getting rid of the moisture.

- Make sure you clean up any existing mold in the basement. It may be in the walls, on the studs, or even perhaps in the HVAC system. Until you give that basement a good cleaning (use bleach, as recommended above), it may be difficult to clear out the smell.

- Get as much air circulation down there as possible. Use fans, open doors, etc. That should decrease the humidity, and also clear out any lingering smell.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:27AM

Account Closed

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Icon_minipost Jun 05 '09, 12:06 PM

This is more than a "smell issue". You had a water leak, and removed the materials but from the sound of this, you have a mold/mildew problem, and need to address this before sale.

Otherwise you knowingly passed on a problem.

This must be eradicated or you may well have a legal issue on your hands as well. If you sell the unit and someone gets sick, even dead mold spores can cause illness, you may well find yourself on the wrong end of a lawsuit, rightfully.

If there is any insurance involved in this leak, I would contact them as well, and get some professional help.

Here is a link for more info.
http://fwdmagazine.com/sixpackabdominals/2009/04/21/how-to-get-rid-of-the-mold-from-the-house/

ps. bleach doesn't work and you're liable to kill yourself from the fumes.

http://www.moldacrossamerica.org/notobleach.htm

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:28AM

Andy Thomson

Handyman · Fuquay Varina, North Carolina

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Icon_minipost Jun 05 '09, 01:33 PM

Turn on the a/c and set it down around 70 and turn the fan switch to fan instead of auto. This will leave it running all of the time even when the a/c isn't. The a/c is a dehumidifier. Another one in the basement may help but may not be necessary. Also as suggested earlier extra fans will help. Sealing/painting the floor without making it look like you did it for decorating puposes likely would bring attention to the problem. Finally if you have to show it with the odor present, then admit that the leak happened, and that the smell is lessening with time and drying out. (if it really is) What ever you do, DO NOT say the word "mold". Don't lie about just don't bring it up. Mold is everywhere and I see alot of "suspected mold/fungi growth" on home inspector reports. Much of, if not most of it is not a problem. But many of my clients get stuck paying some one to "remediate" it. This is one part of the real estate punch list business I have elected to stay away from. Some of it is for real much of it is hype. IMO

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:28AM

J Scott

Real Estate Investor · Atlanta, Georgia

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Icon_minipost Jun 05 '09, 11:13 PM

Originally posted by Lucia Waibel

ps. bleach doesn't work and you're liable to kill yourself from the fumes.

http://www.moldacrossamerica.org/notobleach.htm

Lucia -

Thanks for this...

This is great info...

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:28AM

Jim S

Real Estate Investor · Montgomery County, Maryland

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Icon_minipost Jun 21 '09, 01:37 AM

Make sure the basement has a return vent back to a HVAC. It will help circulate the air out of the basement and into the HVAC thus helping to remove humidity.

But before that, put a fan in the basement window blowing out and open up a window upstairs. It will bring in fresh air into the house and help to clear out the basement stale air. Plus if the basement is stanky then the rest of the house will most likely start to smell bad too.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 08:40AM