Why Does My Facility Smell So Bad?

Does your workplace smell bad? Even if your facility is squeaky clean, if you’re not tending to THESE major sources of odors in commercial environments, you’ll only temporarily mask the odors. A bad smell in your building will keep customers from returning. It can even ruin your reputation. We understand how serious this it and want to offer these tips to help you out. After over a century of providing odor control services, we can pretty quickly sniff out the causes of some common odor sources in your facility.

Causes of Bad Smells & Common Facility Odor Problems

Do you have an ongoing odor problem? Is there a bad smell in your building that you can’t get rid of? Make sure you’ve checked these top problem areas.

Public Restroom Odors & Urine Odors

The most common source of public restroom odors is urine odor, particularly in the men’s room. Urine seeps behind the urinal & splashes on the walls. Mop regularly with a disinfect, behind and around the urinal.  Don’t forget to wipe down the walls! In women’s restrooms, watch for odor from feminine hygiene waste disposals. Empty the disposals daily & disinfect them regularly. Be proactive. Use urinal screens, toilet/urinal floor mats, & drip systems that release deodorizer & cleaning agents into the flush water. AeroWest offers a full line of restroom deodorizing products included in the service cost. Click here for more info on AeroWest’s restroom service.

Commercial Drain Odors

There are a number of reasons that drains may emit foul odors. We encounter this in public restrooms, commercial kitchens, sinks, showers, & bathtubs.

Why Does My Drain Smell So Bad?!

Floor drains have a trap that’s designed to hold water in order to block sewer gases from seeping out. This drain trap can dry out, releasing sewer odors back up into the piping & into the air. Flush out your drains regularly with water or appropriate drain care products. Clogged drains are another common source of bad smells coming from your drain. The hair, food, & debris that collects in the drain is a breeding ground for bacteria & bad odor. To prevent this, keep your drains clean. Identify the type of smell coming from your drain & address it promptly to prevent the drains from rotting or becoming a bigger issue. AeroWest has a drain control system which consists of installing drain valves & treating your drains with eco-friendly drain fluid to completely eliminate drain odors & bugs.

Bad Sewer Smell in Building

We’ve all encountered the smell of sewage or sewer gas at some time or another. Maybe it was walking down city streets, in your home, or in your building at work. So what causes that horrible odor?

Sewer gas is similar to the smell of rotten eggs and it’s produced by the sewage system. As waste materials decompose, they release smelly gasses. These gasses are a mixture of methane, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and other chemicals.

More often than not, the smell sewage gas will usually be smelled in the basement. This is because it’s a heavier gas that “sinks” to the lowest level in a building. The sewage gas smells are caused because somewhere within or outside of the house, the rotten egg smell is not being vented and so it starts to accumulate.

When we smell this gas, many times it’s caused by a small problem, such as a dried out water seal in a floor drain. Drain odor control services are much cheaper than plumbing services and will usually resolve this. However, if it’s a more serious issue, a plumber will be required.

It’s not healthy to breathe sewer gas. In fact, sewer gas can be dangerous. Sewer gases are not only unpleasant, but can be dangerous.

Mold & Mildew Odors in Your Facility

Mold & mildew cause that “musty” or “old house” smell. First, identify the source of the mold or mildew. We commonly see these issues in the walls, basement, or areas of high moisture and low ventilation such as elevator shafts. If you encounter a bad smell in your building off and on, keep this in mind.

If you are concerned about a mold issue, contact a professional to assess the situation.

For lesser cases, the best thing you can do is scrub down affected areas with a cleaner made for mold/mildew & ventilate the area the best you can. Open the windows & doors and let in sunlight. For moist areas, use a dehumidifier. Another great option to absorb the musty smell is activated charcoal. AeroWest uses an odor neutralizer with activated charcoal in the HVAC system. Don’t just cover the smell of mold/mildew with fragrance. Use products that will actually neutralize the odor at the molecular level.

Bad Smells Outside Your Building: Waste Disposal / Commercial Dumpsters

Another common odor source of bad odors in commercial buildings is GARBAGE! The biggest complaint is dumpsters, but also with trash cans. Trash cans should be emptied and disinfected regularly. Dumpster odor comes from the decay of fruits, vegetables, meats, urine, etc. Any business with a dumpster can expect to experience these odors at some point, but it is worse in the heat of the summer. Don’t let the smell of trash affect your customers perception of your business. Get prepared for the summer before hand. Treat your dumpster with a commercial grade, bioenzymatic deodorizing spray or odor neutralizing granules.

At AeroWest, we use a commercial grade deodorizing spray that is sprayed directly into the dumpster to neutralize the odors. It contains our proprietary odor neutralizing technology that eliminates odors at the molecular level.

Maintenance is KEY!

Once you’ve identified & treated the cause of bad smells in your facility, stay on top of it. Odor control is not a one time thing. Make it a part of your regular cleaning routine. If you’re still having odor problems in your facility, consider contact a commercial deodorizing service company like AeroWest. Don’t let bad smells in your building harm your reputation and negate your hard work!

 

Consult the Professionals

If you have persistent odor problems or bad smells in your building, give us a call or contact your local odor control experts. Here’s how odor control services can earn more $$ for your business. You can also Learn More About Odors in the Workplace.

Beyond Odor Control: Making Your Business Smell Amazing

Commercial Air Fresheners to Scent Your Business

Once the bad smells are gone from your building, it’s time to elevate your ambient scent. There are tons of benefits to scenting your facility. Your customers deserve the added luxury of a pleasant ambient scent. Trust me, they will notice the extra effort you put in! Plus, it just feels good to walk into a building & be greeted by a nice, uplifting scent.

Scent Marketing

Scent marketing is a growing practice used by successful businesses. It increases customer satisfaction & loyalty, boosts sales, & creates a more upscale vibe. For more on scent marketing, check out our homepage.