Odor Removal
Rapid Recovery Service Inc. adheres to the industry’s three step process for smoke and other types of odor removal. Each step is unique and most importantly, necessary. Deviating from this process will often result in ineffective odor removal.
This three step process involves the following:
- Spray application to all vertical and horizontal surfaces of the effected area
- Application of a dry or granular type odor coutneractant
- Thermal fogging, this final step utilizes a solvent based deodorizer that is heated and applied as a fog. By duplicating the heat and penetration characteristics of a fire, thermal fogging effectively eliminates most odors.
Our IICRC certified technicians will help you identify the source of the odor, employ the proper cleaning method and eliminate unwanted odors caused from fire damage or any other variety of odors including nicotine, stale air, mildew, pets, fireplace, smoke, etc.
Ozone is unmatched as an odor removal and deodorizer. Rapid Recovery Service has an entire room dedicated to odor removal, referred to as an ozone chamber.
Rapid’s Ozone chamber has a strong characteristic odor even in very low concentrations. Its’ effect on contents with smoke and mold damage makes it difficult or impossible to detect other odors when ozone is present. To totally eliminate “heavy” odors higher concentrations of ozone are required to react with gases in the air and odors trapped in materials. Time to deodorize is determined by the quantity of the substance producing odor and the quantity of ozone to react with it. In low concentrations, ozone acts as a masking agent on most odors. Tests have demonstrated that room odors were undetectable even when ozone concentrations were at an extremely low level and delicate odors are virtually destroyed.
Ozone at a high concentration kept in Rapid’s ozone chamber will destroy microorganisms and eliminate most odors within a matter of days. Simple odors are easily and completely destroyed by ozone when it comes to smoke and mold damage, odor removal takes time. Ozone has been used in Michigan for odor removal at sewage pumping stations when the pump screens had to be cleaned. The application of ozone completely destroyed the odor. Single atoms of oxygen from the decomposition of ozone immediately oxidize odors. The lower the temperature and the larger the odor molecules, the weaker the oxidizing effect.
Humidity has no effect on this process but does accelerate the destruction of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that may contribute to odor.
Odor Removal – OZONE is the answer!!
Ozone Advantages
- Works Fast
- Less Expensive
- Very Safe
- Low Maintenance
- Simple Operation
Whether it’s fire or water damage, ozone should be an integral part of the disaster restoration process. Ozone can remove odors related to soot, smoke, mold, and mildew in a cost-effective, time-saving way.
With regard to water damaged personal property, the property must be completely dry before ozone treatment.
Ozone Capabilities
- The most powerful oxidant for disinfecting water or sanitizing surfaces
- Can kill pathogens in seconds vs. several minutes for other oxidants
- One of the strongest oxidant available for oxidizing organics
- Decomposes into oxygen
- By itself, does not affect pH
- Cannot be stored; therefore, having a large volume of a dangerous oxidizer is not possible
- Excellent at oxidizing metals such as iron, manganese, and more
- Enhances the flocculation and coagulation of organic material thereby improving filtration
- Can be effective in partially oxidizing organics in the water to biodegradable compounds that can be removed by biological filtration
Ozone Fallacies
We’ve heard them all. Now it’s time we set the record straight. Below is a list of a few ozone fallacies we have heard over the years.
“Ozone will oxidize my metal pipes.”
This claim conjures an image of ozonated water running through pipes and when you come in the next morning, they are rusted through. This is not the case. pH level has more effect on corrosion rates of metals than most industries accepted dissolved ozone levels. While a powerful oxidizer, ozone has minimal effect on corrosion rates. Iron pipes that carry ozone gas, while not recommended, will last for months, or years, before any noticeable corrosion is present. For ozonated water, iron pipes will oxidize faster than water with just oxygen, but the pipes can last for years before needing replacement.
Ozone Solutions recommends the use of ozone approved materials. Iron pipes are not ideal but they will not degrade within a few days or even weeks as most people would have you believe. The same is true for most rubber seals.
“The sky is blue because of ozone”
Okay, this one is not related to our business, but we have heard it mentioned before so we will address it. While ozone is a blue gas, the sky is blue for a very different reason.
The blue color of the sky is due to Rayleigh scattering. Blue light has a shorter wavelength than the other “rainbow colors”. This blue light is absorbed by the gas molecules. The absorbed blue light is then radiated in different directions. It gets scattered all around the sky. Whichever direction you look, some of this scattered blue light reaches you. Since you see the blue light from everywhere overhead, the sky looks blue.
So the next time your kid asks “Why is the sky blue?” you will have the answer!
“Ozone does not have any residual.”
This one is also false, but clarification is needed. Ozone has an extremely short half-life. This short half-life makes it very reactive and excellent at killing pathogens. In very clean water, ozone can last for several hours*. In most food processing applications, ozone half-life is anywhere from 10-20 minutes. For wastewater applications, the ozone residual is dependent on the organic loading with high organic loading resulting in short ozone half-life.