It gets bad fast
When power fails during a vacancy, or a refrigerator or freezer is left full in an abandoned property, food spoils and liquefies. Fluids leak into the appliance insulation and onto the floor, flies and maggots arrive, and the odor can permeate an entire home. Commercial walk-in coolers and freezers face the same problem at a larger scale.
What we handle
- Residential refrigerators and chest freezers
- Pantries and cabinets with spoiled goods
- Commercial walk-in coolers and freezers after outages
- Rental and foreclosure properties left with food inside
Cleanup process
- Protective equipment. Spoiled food produces bacteria and strong gases.
- Remove spoiled food in sealed bags and containers for disposal.
- Decide whether to clean or dispose of the appliance. When fluids have soaked into the insulation, odor often can't be removed, and replacing the appliance is usually wiser. Refrigerant-containing appliances need proper disposal with refrigerant recovery.
- Floor and cabinet cleanup where fluids leaked, including subfloor where needed.
- Insect cleanup, with pest control coordination for continuing activity.
- Disinfection and deodorization of the area.
Tips
Don't open a long-dead freezer indoors if you can avoid it. Tape it shut and move it outside first if that's safe. Keep children and pets away. Check with your homeowner's or renter's insurance, since some policies cover food spoilage from power outages.
Common questions
Can I clean the refrigerator myself?
If spoilage was brief and contained, often yes. If fluids leaked into the insulation or the odor is severe, replacement is usually more practical.
What about the smell in the rest of the house?
Once the source is out and surfaces are cleaned, deodorization addresses the remaining odor.
Do you handle commercial walk-ins?
Yes. We coordinate with your refrigeration contractor and follow food-safety disposal requirements.