smell due to Sewer backup in the basement

[guest999]

One of my rental properties had Sewer backup 2 months ago. Unfortunately our insurance doesn't have water backup coverage. It was not a big damage, just some water was on the carpet in the basement, a small area. But the main problem is the smell. We tried to so many ways to get rid of the smell, such as put ventilation fan on all day long, opened all the windows and doors to let the fresh air in, professionally washed all the carpet in the basement, etc. But the smell is still there, the tenants complained a lot.

Can anyone suggest anything else to remove the smell? Thank you very much.

 

[Thomas Beyer]

Bleach and/or ozone.



It might be in the wall or floorboards. Did you remove entire carpet, wood floor and the first food of drywall in the entire basement ?

 

[guest999]

No, we didn't remove anything. Because there was just a little water came out from sewer, we washed the whole carpet professionally, but didn't remove the carpet.

 

[Thomas Beyer]

Well, how do you know it was "little" only ?



I may have happened before.

 

[guest999]

We have owned the house for a couple of years, it never happened before. The recent water backup in my property was due to the city's plumbing work done outside of the house. Now city fixed the outside, and said that everything inside is owner's responsibility. When we went to the property the 1st day of the incident, we saw only a small area was wet close to the sewer.

So you think removing the whole carpet might fix the smell?

Thanks a lot.

 

[Thomas Beyer]

[quote user=guest999]So you think removing the whole carpet might fix the smell?
Indeed, might. Might still be wet below for a far larger area, incl. wet wood several sq meters.

 

[guest999]

We will check it out as you recommended. Thank you.