This summer's storms have brought severe flood damage to the Midwest. Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Vaportek's home state of Wisconsin have all suffered from torrential rains. Many homeowners and businesses are busy with the task of removing excess water from flooded basements, living spaces, vehicles, campers and sheds. After the cleanup of a flooded home, water-logged vehicle or other soggy area, you're stuck with that smell.. that musty, mildew smell. Don't just mask the odor with a spray or plug-in. ELIMINATE the odor with Vaportek's proven products! Contact Us to Learn More About Environmentally Preferable Odor Elimination.

To assist in your clean-up efforts, we're offering some basic tips that will help get your property back in shape quickly and prevent or remove any problem odors:

Assess Damage and Help Needed

If you suffer major flood damage, it is generally advisable to call in a professional, certified restoration service to safely and quickly remove standing water and damaged items. Extreme caution must be observed when re-entering flooded areas (electrical power and natural gas or propane tanks should be shut off to avoid fire, electrocution, or explosions).

Remove Water and Dry the Area

For less severe damage or minor leaks, residents may be able to perform the cleanup. Once any water has been removed, it is time to begin drying the area as quickly as possible, as completely as possible. Cleaning up flooded areas in three to four days lowers the chances of damage and mold forming. When walls are wet and mold forms, it is usually necessary to rip out drywall and wood.

Inspect Every Area for Water Damage

Thoroughly inspect anywhere water may have traveled, including under walls, into a crawl space or basement, stairwells, under cabinets or built-in appliances—even HVAC systems and ductwork. These are prime areas where odors may originate.

Deodorize as You Dry!

To speed up the drying process, use fans to circulate the air and run dehumidifiers to help remove moisture. Vaportek's Heavy-Duty Standalone Cartridge can be placed in front of a fan or air mover to help deodorize while drying. An optional stabilizer is available or the canister can be taped in position.

Vaportek's Heavy-Duty Standalone Cartridge can be placed in front of a fan or air mover to help deodorize while drying

Neutralize Odor

The compact electric Restorator unit diffuses the odor-neutralizing dry vapor with a self-contained fan and can easily be moved around to different affected areas. Both products are capable of treating areas up to 20,000 cubic feet.

The compact electric Restorator unit diffuses the odor-neutralizing dry vapor with a self-contained fan.

Use Caution with Electricity

When using electricity (sprayers, wet vacs, vacuum cleaners and other cleaning equipment), use an extension cord with a ground fault interrupter or install a GFCI in the electrical circuits in damp environments.

Kill Mold, Bacteria and Germs

Floors, walls and other areas that may have been water-damaged need to be thoroughly cleaned. Use a non-ammonia soap or detergent, or a commercial cleaner, in hot water, and scrub the entire area that may be affected by mold. For concrete floors, use a mild bleach solution to kill bacteria or germs. Ventilate the basement as you work, opening windows and running a fan to avoid inhaling chemical fumes. After rinsing and allowing those surfaces to dry completely, apply Vaportek's Bio-C GP, a concentrated liquid enzyme product that attacks invisible sources of mold and mildew, and breaks down musty odors. Bio-C GP contains no chlorine or bleach, and does not release toxic fumes. It is safer to your health and the environment than chlorine or other bleaches.

Vaportek's Bio-C GP is a concentrated liquid enzyme product that attacks invisible sources of mold and mildew, and breaks down musty odors.

Clean and Freshen

For a fresh scent, ECOZ water-soluble odor neutralizer concentrate can be added to cleaning solutions and used on floors, walls and other surfaces. It is compatible with other cleaning solutions and can even be used to launder affected washable items.

ECOZ water-soluble odor neutralizer concentrate can be added to cleaning solutions for a fresh scent.

Cleaning Vehicles

When vehicles are damaged by water, mildew and mold rapidly form, creating objectionable odors from wet interiors as well as the ventilation system. In some cases, thoroughly cleaning and drying the vehicle may restore it; if residual odors remain, Bio-C GP can be diluted and applied to damaged carpets and upholstery. Vaportek's Restorator can also be used to eliminate imbedded odors, even circulating through the ventilation system to treat those difficult odors.

Continued Treatment

If odors persist, continue to dry out the area and search for any hidden areas of mold. If the area continues to smell musty, you may have to re-clean the area. Continue to dry and ventilate the area. In areas with lingering odors, it may be necessary to consider running Vaportek's Optimum 4000 unit or the battery-operated Vaportronic for safe, continual deodorization with a pleasant scent.

In areas with lingering odors, it may be necessary to consider running Vaportek's Optimum 4000 unit.

Contact Us to Learn More About Environmentally Preferable Odor Elimination.