A home is so much more than just a place that provides shelter for the people living in it. A home is a place of refuge and comfort – the place people run to when they need to just relax and recuperate from the stresses of life. So when any person thinks of home, that person will tend to associate it with positive things – childhood memories, fragrant rosebushes that line the garden, maybe even the delectable aroma of chocolate-glazed banana muffins.

People very rarely associate home with bad smells, because a house that reeks of foul odors isn’t exactly the best place to live in. Unfortunately, the truth is that odors can come from virtually anywhere in the house. A number of factors can increase their possibility, such as having house pets or having a lot of old things. However, most odors come from sources that can’t really be avoided. Regardless of where these foul odors come from, the important thing is for homeowners to be proactive in trying to eliminate them.

Prevention is Better Than Cure

In eliminating odors, the easiest way is to prevent them from happening in the first place. There are certain odors that can’t really be controlled, but there are a lot of odors that can be prevented. Nipping these odors in the bud before they get out of hand is the best way to eliminate them. Here are some simple practices that can save homeowners a lot of problems:

1) Regular (and thorough) cleaning
Regularly cleaning the house will prevent bad odors from developing. It’s also important that the cleaning is done thoroughly, because a lot of odors come from those tiny crevices and corners people usually miss. Cleaning the entire house is a must, but special attention should be given to odor-prone areas like the kitchen, dining room, toilets, and bedrooms. Thoroughly cleaning the house will also immediately alert homeowners of other possible odor sources like a leaky faucet or a dead rat.

2) Confining pets in certain areas of the house
There’s nothing wrong with keeping pets indoors, but there are places where they shouldn’t be allowed. Depending on the house, some areas will be very difficult to clean in case the pet makes a mess in it. Confining the pets into one area will also make maintenance a whole lot easier.

3) Smoking outside of the house
Cigarette smoke is not only absorbed by upholstery and fabric, it also seeps through the paint in walls and even the flooring. The odor also tends to stick, so the best way is to set rules and prohibit smoking indoors.

Other Measures

Prevention is indeed better than cure, but sometimes one can’t really prevent the existence of odors. In cases like these, there are available air fresheners and sprays that help neutralize these foul odors, and they come in various scents. There are also products that are capable of absorbing odors and not just masking them. Of course, turning the house upside down and scrubbing scrupulously can help as well.

The most important safety guideline for inspecting fire damage is to first make sure the structure is safe to enter. The easiest way to do this is to check with your local fire marshal. If he doesn’t already know the details of your specific situation he can consult with the firefighters who responded to the scene and make a determination as to whether or not your house is safe. If the fire marshal gives you the green light you may proceed, but do so with caution. Cleaning up a property from a fire disaster often includes the services of a water damage restoration professional to extract excess water and secure the property.

When entering a home that has suffered from fire always wear protective clothing. Wear long pants and boots, long sleeve shirts, gloves, a helmet or hardhat if one is available, and a paper face mask. Never wear shorts, t-shirts, or sneakers into a fire damaged building regardless of how warm the temperature is.

Next, be careful to move slowly and deliberately, always paying attention to your next step. Even with fire marshal approval there may still be structural weak points in the home that pose a great danger. If electrical service to the house has been interrupted, the lack of lighting combined with soot on the windows may make the interior of the home very dark. Make sure you have flashlights with you to help you make your way safely around.

Finally, remember that fire damage usually is much more severe than can be recognized by the naked eye. Prepare yourself for the worst possible scenario so that there will be few surprises. At the end of the day, your inspection will serve only to satisfy your own curiosity. Construction and fire restoration professionals will be needed to fully assess the damage and plan for the repairs. Upon leaving a fire damaged dwelling be sure to lock the doors if possible, to prevent looters and others who might be tempted to intrude.

Summer and spring pay their contribution to home flooding as well as winter. With Michigan average thirty-two inches of rainfall more then what is expected can lead to some home water damage. Excessive amounts of rain can lead to water damage to your roof and basement. Heavy rains can lead to an overflow of water in Lake St. Clair, Clinton River and other bodies of water around the state causing homes to flood. From these rains clogged gutter systems can create puddles of water around home. The water can makes its way to your basement through cracks and joints in the foundation. Damaged roofs could be linked to home water damage too.  Water is able to seep through your attic and down walls. This can result in some serious molding and interior damage. Flooded sewage systems can result in that nasty water flooding out your basement. If you live around a body of water and are worried about the chance of flooding in your home look into purchasing flood insurance. Homeowners insurance and flood insurance are two different things. Contact an insurance agent to see if your community participates in The National Flood Insurance Program if you are considering purchasing flood insurance.