Effective odor remediation specialists must have access to appropriate tools and equipment. There is an array of different types of odor elimination tools and equipment available to a professional, depending on the type of situation a remediation specialist must address. Prime examples of different types of situations in which an order remediation specialist may be called upon to address include:
- Fire and smoke
- Water and flood (structural drying)
- Carpet, area rug, upholstery, curtains
- Content cleaning
- Pest infestation aftermath
- Dead animal
- Mystery odor control
Commonly Used Types of Odor Elimination Tools and Equipment
The comprehensive list of available tools and equipment designed to combat odors of different types is so lengthy that a person arguably could write a book about them all. With that said, there are some tools and pieces of equipment that are more commonly used by professional odor remediation specialists. These include:
- Black light
- Hygro-sensor
- Ozone generator
- Hydroxyl generator
- Ultra-low volume fogger
- Thermal fogger
- High-volume mister
- Compression sprayer
- Air filtration device
- Moisture / vapor resistant exhaust fans
As an aside, more often than not an extension cord is necessary to power equipment for an odor remediation job. The typically recommended extension cord is a 10-gauge variation. An extension cord used with odor remediation equipment should not be longer than 100 feet in length. Safety issues arise when a longer extension cord is utilized in a deodorization project.
We present a more detailed examination of some of these tools and pieces of equipment. Bear in mind, and as will be noted, when considering using a particular type of equipment, a person must confirm that it lawfully can be utilized in a particular state, city, or county.
Ozone Generator
Before diving deeper into a consideration of an ozone generator as a piece of equipment designed to eliminate odors, the point must be stressed that this type of device cannot be lawfully used in certain jurisdictions. The state of California was the first such jurisdiction to ban ozone generators. In addition, California has banned some other types of devices that produce over a certain amount of ozone gas during their operation.
Health experts and research studies have determined that prolonged exposure to ozone can be harmful to humans and to animals, including pets. Early signs of overexposure to ozone include:
- Eye irritation
- Dry throat
- Dry nose
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Nosebleed
Prolonged exposure to ozone has been known to require hospitalization for humans and trips to the vet for pets.
With this legal limitation and warning in mind, an ozone generator releases ozone gas into an area contaminated by a stench or odor. As a gas, ozone consists of three oxygen atoms, unlike the oxygen we rely upon for living which has only two. The third oxygen atom is loosely bound to the other two. Ultimately, in a situation involving an odor, the third oxygen atom detaches from the ozone molecule.
The free oxygen atom combines with and alters an odor-causing molecule. In other words, through the use of an ozone generator, the elimination of an odor can be possible.
In addition to the legal and health issues mentioned a moment ago, there are other issues associated with the use of an ozone generator. Chief among them is that it is not a highly efficient way of addressing an odor. An ozone generator typically has to operate consistently for upwards to 72 hours in order to be effective.
An ozone generator is also not the most effective means of addressing certain types of odors. These include protein-based odors as well as synthetic odors.
Hydroxyl Generator
Hydroxyls are gases that are found in the Earth’s atmosphere, like oxygen and ozone. Hydroxyls can also be created using a machine called a generator.
Hydroxyl gases occur when ultraviolent light acts upon water vaper. The process also acts upon organic particles that may be in the air in the vicinity of a hydroxyl generator. This can result in reducing noticeable odor.
This technology is fairly new to the odor control and elimination as well as the smoke cleaning industries. The technology has been used in the wastewater treatment industry for a considerable period of time.
There is some evidence that the proper concentration of hydroxyls may be capable of destroying certain types of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. With that said, a hydroxyl generator is not a frontline defense against designed to comprehensively eradicate these types of dangerous pathogens.
Ultra-Low Volume Fogger
An ultra-low volume fogger is an electrically powered sprayer. An ultra-low volume fogger can be used to fog a space with alcohol or water-based deodorants. An ultra-low volume fogger is ideally suited to remediate odors from harder to reach areas. These include:
- Attics
- Crawlspaces
- Wall cavities
An ultra-low volume fogger creates droplets that are so small that they can remain suspended in the air for an extended period of time. As a result, the suspended droplets are capable of working to eradicate odors in a particular space.
Thermal Fogger
A thermal fogger utilizes a thermal reaction rather than mechanical action in order to produce the smallest possible re-odorization droplet. Because heat is used, the size of these droplets is extremely small, considerably smaller than even those produced by an ultra-low volume fogger.
The majority of thermal fogger formulations are petroleum-based products. As a result, the fog created by a thermal fogger is hot and behaves in a manner similar to smoke. It is attracted to cooler surfaces throughout a space. In fact, the particles emitted by a thermal fogger follow a current or pathway similar to that of a fire. This process works to ensure maximum application in the eradication of odor molecules.
Compression Sprayer
Compression sprayers are by far the most commonly used odor control application equipment available today. There are four specific types of sprayers that fall within this category:
- Trigger sprayers
- Pump-up sprayers
- Electric sprayers
- Paint sprayers
Compression sprayers created the largest droplets of any of the commonly used products of this nature. The droplets fall from the air almost immediately. Overall, compressional sprayers are deemed to be one of the most effective types of odor elimination equipment on the market today.
High-Volume Mister
A high-volume mister is also known as a wet fogger. They are classified as a mechanical of a compression sprayer. They produce droplets that are only slightly smaller than those associated with a compression sprayer.
A high-volume mister has decent flexibility. It can apply either water-based or oil products.
There some risks associated with the use of a high-volume mister. Chief among them is moisture damage caused by over-wetting objects in a space in which odor remediation occurs.
Air Filtration Device
An air filtration device is also known as an air scrubber. At their essence, an air filtration device can be something as simple as a fan or air mover. This equipment dilutes or removes odor particles from a particular space. Basic air movers can be retrofitted with filters to enhance the capability of the equipment to remove odor molecules.
In the final analysis, a professional odor remediation specialist is in the best possible position to understand precisely what tools and equipment are best suited to assist with a particular remediation project. In addition, an order remediation company is in the best position to be able to access this important equipment.
Effective odor remediation specialists must have access to appropriate tools and equipment. There is an array of different types of odor elimination tools and equipment available to a professional, depending on the type of situation a remediation specialist must address. Prime examples of different types of situations in which an order remediation specialist may be called upon to address include:
- Fire and smoke
- Water and flood (structural drying)
- Carpet, area rug, upholstery, curtains
- Content cleaning
- Pest infestation aftermath
- Dead animal
- Mystery odor control
Commonly Used Types of Odor Elimination Tools and Equipment
The comprehensive list of available tools and equipment designed to combat odors of different types is so lengthy that a person arguably could write a book about them all. With that said, there are some tools and pieces of equipment that are more commonly used by professional odor remediation specialists. These include:
- Black light
- Hygro-sensor
- Ozone generator
- Hydroxyl generator
- Ultra-low volume fogger
- Thermal fogger
- High-volume mister
- Compression sprayer
- Air filtration device
- Moisture / vapor resistant exhaust fans
As an aside, more often than not an extension cord is necessary to power equipment for an odor remediation job. The typically recommended extension cord is a 10-gauge variation. An extension cord used with odor remediation equipment should not be longer than 100 feet in length. Safety issues arise when a longer extension cord is utilized in a deodorization project.
We present a more detailed examination of some of these tools and pieces of equipment. Bear in mind, and as will be noted, when considering using a particular type of equipment, a person must confirm that it lawfully can be utilized in a particular state, city, or county.
Ozone Generator
Before diving deeper into a consideration of an ozone generator as a piece of equipment designed to eliminate odors, the point must be stressed that this type of device cannot be lawfully used in certain jurisdictions. The state of California was the first such jurisdiction to ban ozone generators. In addition, California has banned some other types of devices that produce over a certain amount of ozone gas during their operation.
Health experts and research studies have determined that prolonged exposure to ozone can be harmful to humans and to animals, including pets. Early signs of overexposure to ozone include:
- Eye irritation
- Dry throat
- Dry nose
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Nosebleed
Prolonged exposure to ozone has been known to require hospitalization for humans and trips to the vet for pets.
With this legal limitation and warning in mind, an ozone generator releases ozone gas into an area contaminated by a stench or odor. As a gas, ozone consists of three oxygen atoms, unlike the oxygen we rely upon for living which has only two. The third oxygen atom is loosely bound to the other two. Ultimately, in a situation involving an odor, the third oxygen atom detaches from the ozone molecule.
The free oxygen atom combines with and alters an odor-causing molecule. In other words, through the use of an ozone generator, the elimination of an odor can be possible.
In addition to the legal and health issues mentioned a moment ago, there are other issues associated with the use of an ozone generator. Chief among them is that it is not a highly efficient way of addressing an odor. An ozone generator typically has to operate consistently for upwards to 72 hours in order to be effective.
An ozone generator is also not the most effective means of addressing certain types of odors. These include protein-based odors as well as synthetic odors.
Hydroxyl Generator
Hydroxyls are gases that are found in the Earth’s atmosphere, like oxygen and ozone. Hydroxyls can also be created using a machine called a generator.
Hydroxyl gases occur when ultraviolent light acts upon water vapor. The process also acts upon organic particles that may be in the air in the vicinity of a hydroxyl generator. This can result in reducing noticeable odor.
This technology is fairly new to the odor control and elimination as well as the smoke cleaning industries. The technology has been used in the wastewater treatment industry for a considerable period of time.
There is some evidence that the proper concentration of hydroxyls may be capable of destroying certain types of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. With that said, a hydroxyl generator is not a frontline defense designed to comprehensively eradicate these types of dangerous pathogens.
Ultra-Low Volume Fogger
An ultra-low volume fogger is an electrically powered sprayer. An ultra-low volume fogger can be used to fog a space with alcohol or water-based deodorants. An ultra-low volume fogger is ideally suited to remediate odors from harder to reach areas. These include:
- Attics
- Crawlspaces
- Wall cavities
An ultra-low volume fogger creates droplets that are so small that they can remain suspended in the air for an extended period of time. As a result, the suspended droplets are capable of working to eradicate odors in a particular space.
Thermal Fogger
A thermal fogger utilizes a thermal reaction rather than mechanical action in order to produce the smallest possible re-odorization droplet. Because heat is used, the size of these droplets are extremely small, considerably smaller than even those produced by an ultra-low volume fogger.
The majority of thermal fogger formulations are petroleum-based products. As a result, the fog created by a thermal fogger is hot and behaves in a manner similar to smoke. It is attracted to cooler surfaces throughout a space. In fact, the particles emitted by a thermal fogger follow a current or pathway similar to that of a fire. This process works to ensure maximum application in the eradication of odor molecules.
Compression Sprayer
Compression sprayers are by far the most commonly used odor control application equipment available today. There are four specific types of sprayers that fall within this category:
- Trigger sprayers
- Pump-up sprayers
- Electric sprayers
- Paint sprayers
Compression sprayers create the largest droplets of any of the commonly used products of this nature. The droplets fall from the air almost immediately. Overall, compressional sprayers are deemed to be one of the most effective types of odor elimination equipment on the market today.
High-Volume Mister
A high-volume mister is also known as a wet fogger. They are classified as a mechanical compression sprayer. They produce droplets that are only slightly smaller than those associated with a compression sprayer.
A high-volume mister has decent flexibility. It can apply either water-based or oil products.
There some risks associated with the use of a high-volume mister. Chief among them is moisture damage caused by over-wetting objects in a space in which odor remediation occurs.
Air Filtration Device
An air filtration device is also known as an air scrubber. At their essence, an air filtration device can be something as simple as a fan or air mover. This equipment dilutes or removes odor particles from a particular space. Basic air movers can be retrofitted with filters to enhance the capability of the equipment to remove odor molecules.
In the final analysis, a professional odor remediation specialist is in the best possible position to understand precisely what tools and equipment are best suited to assist with a particular remediation project.
In the final analysis, a professional odor remediation specialist is in the best possible position to understand precisely what tools and equipment are best suited to assist with a particular remediation project.