Why a smell keeps coming back — and how odour is properly removed

Odour has a physical source

A smell is airborne particles coming from somewhere. Until that somewhere is found and removed, no amount of spraying will fix it — you are only competing with it.

Common hidden sources include underlay, plasterboard, cavity insulation, the void under a bath, extract ducting and the back of kitchen units.

The right order of work

Treating the air before removing the source is the most common wasted expense in odour work.

• Find and remove the source, including contaminated materials that cannot be cleaned
• Clean all affected surfaces, including those out of sight
• Dry the property properly where moisture is involved
• Seal surfaces where residues cannot be fully removed
• Only then treat the remaining airborne odour

Ozone, hydroxyl and thermal fogging

These treatments work, but they are a final stage, not a shortcut. Ozone in particular requires an unoccupied property and a ventilation period afterwards, and it should never be run with people or pets present.

Which method suits depends on the type of odour, the materials involved and whether the property can be vacated. We will explain what we intend to use and why before we start.