A foul odor under your deck is not an uncommon occurrence for homeowners. Still, this doesn’t mean that you should just live with it. Here are some ways to eliminate the odor once and for all.
Determining the Cause
Identifying the source of the odor can be difficult. How you’ll deal with the odor depends on its cause. Sometimes, it can be excrement left behind by small creatures, or it can even be a decaying carcass of a dead animal.
If the source of the odor is not animal-related, then mold or mildew might be the culprit instead. You’ll often see signs of mold or mildew above your deck, and, if the fungal buildup is also found below the deck on framing members, then it’s a more serious issue.
Eliminating the Cause
Once you’ve determined the cause of the odor, the next step is to remove the offending material. Hire professionals to do the job for you if you’re not up for the task. But if you’re planning to DIY the removal yourself, make sure to prepare yourself for the job.
If the source of the foul odor was excrement or a lifeless body of a small animal, you’ll simply have to hold your breath and remove the offending material. You can always use a garden trowel or a long-handled grabber tool so you won’t have to directly hold the material, however.
To remove mold and mildew, clean your deck with a water and bleach solution. When it’s clean and dry, sand it, and apply an oil-based wood sealer if you have a wooden deck. It can be a tedious task, but you’ll only need to do it every five years or so.
When you need a reliable deck repair and quality replacement windows and doors, make sure to hire Up and Above Contractors. Call us today at (973) 300-0636, or you can also reach us online through our contact form. We serve Northern New Jersey and the surrounding areas.