Using lime to cover/neutralize sewer smell.

Question

Broken pipe let everything from the toilet pour into the crawlspace.
  After the plumbers replaced the pipes that needed replacing, they put a lot of lime down.

The smell is a lot better than it was but -- 10 days later -- still unacceptable.
  Is putting down more lime the solution to this, or does it require some other remedy?

(Please say lime!  Please say lime!!!)

Thanks in advance!!!

MrRooter Amarillo · Answer

Lime will help, but it won't necessarily solve the problem.  We recommend calling a cleanup company out to make sure any sewage is properly cleaned up and the water is all dried out.  If you have home owners insurance they should cover this procedure.  Our sister company Rainbow International handles this type of situation. You may call their corporate office for a company near you at 855-775-5723, or you may use another reputable company such as ServPro or PuroClean.  Good luck to you.  We hope this helps remedy your situation.

Eulenspiegel · Answer

Thank you so much!!
 That's not what I wanted to hear -- but it IS what I feared!!
 I DO have homeowner's insurance! That will be of enormous help if it covers this problem!!
 I'm doubtful as to whether they will, but I'll sure look over my policy with a fine tooth comb!!!
 And thank you for supplying me with the names of companies that specialize in this type of problem!!!!
 Greatly appreciated!!!!

Plumbrite · Answer

I have had good results with a product called bio- clean, you can find it on line. If the spill flooded the entire crawl space I would call a water clean up company,just check them out and make sure they have employes coming to your house and not day laborers.

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

Any raw sewage is a bio hazard and must be removed and sanitized. Placing chemicals to mask odor is not the correct method of repair. Professional companies do have proper education, but you may need to bring in someone who understands how to clean this up.

Eulenspiegel · Answer

Thank you both, Plumbrite and Woodbridge Environmental (and again, MrRooterAmarillo!!!!)

Yes, the pros came out and cleaned it out properly (one hopes, anyway!!!)
 At least the smell is gone!! That's an indication that they did SOMETHING helpful!!!

MrRooter Amarillo · Answer

I'm glad to hear it's been properly cleaned up and that your home and the homey smell is back to normal.

Charlene Covington · Answer

opossum died under house by pipes to bath tub.. lime powder was placed under house can I use it in the tub? How do you get that smell out of the house

Eulenspiegel · Answer

Hi, Charlene!!! I just wanted to say to you that if you don't get any/many responses about your problem here, that you start a new post. I get alerted by email because it was my original post but I don't know if others do and if they don't, I don't know how many people will see or bother with a post this old. Good luck!!

There's a very good product called Fresh Wave that's excellent for run of the mill odors. My mom recommended it to some friends of hers who could not get dog smell out of some furniture they had, even after having it professionally cleaned and Fresh Wave did the trick. You can get it at Ace Hardware, Whole Foods, and (I think) Mariano's. But I don't know if it would help in your case. If that smell is coming up straight from the original source, I think something more will have to be done about that.

Using lime to cover/neutralize sewer smell.

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Using lime to cover/neutralize sewer smell.

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