If you notice a strange and unpleasant scent coming from your water heater's closet, you may wonder if there's something wrong with the water heater. That strange pungent odor may actually come from rat urine. Rats often urinate on surfaces when they search for food, attempt to attract mates or mark their territories. The urine odors can be very potent or strong when confined to small locations. But urine isn't the only thing you need to worry about. Rats can also defecate in the water heater's closet. Rodent urine and feces contain a host of germs that may cause health problems for your family. Here's why it's important to clean the closet, what you need to use to clean the closet and steps to help you clean the closet effectively.
Why and What Do You Need to Clean the Water Heater's Closet?
Removing rat urine and feces from the closet is extremely important for your health, especially if you frequent the closet regularly or if it's located next to a high-traffic area, such as the kitchen. Rat urine and feces generally contain bacteria and other pathogens that can make humans ill if they inhale toxic odors or touch contaminated surfaces. Some contaminants cause respiratory problems that require medical care to treat.
Rats are excellent jumpers from all types of surfaces, including flat surfaces. If the rodents jump from the flooring to reach the top of the water heater, they can leave urine and feces on it. The contaminants from their urine and feces can coat the surfaces of your water heater. If you need to repair the appliance in the future, you may accidentally touch the contaminants.
Now that you know why it's critical to clean the water heater's closet, it's time to get a few supplies ready. Here's what you need:
- 1 pair of thick, elbow-length vinyl gloves
- 1 large bucket of hot water mixed with 2-3 capfuls of dish detergent
- 1 large bucket of hot water mixed with 3 cups of white vinegar
- 2 or 3 large cleaning rags
- 1 mop
- 1 or 2 circulating fans to air out the closet
You'll also need to obtain a long pair of pants, a long-sleeve shirt, a pair of thick-soled shoes or boots, and one facial mask with eye goggles. You're ready to clean the closet.
How Do You Clean the Water Heater Closet?
Before you begin, be sure to put on your protective clothing, boots and gear. Now, follow the steps below:
- Dip one of the cleaning rags into a bucket of water, then squeeze out the excess water from the rag before using it to wipe down the water heater.
- Repeat step one until the water heater's housing looks clean and shiny. If the water becomes overly soiled from the contaminants, empty it outdoors away from the home and refill the bucket with fresh soapy water before you continue cleaning.
- Use the second bucket of water to mop every area of the closet's flooring, including along the baseboards. Discard the bucket of water outdoors when you finish mopping.
- Dry the room with the fans. The drying time may vary, so check the closet often to see it's free of water and moisture.
After you complete the cleaning, you can try to find the rodents' entrances and repair them with steel mesh and caulking. Steel mesh forms a seal over the holes, and sealant forms a tight bond over the mesh, which may deter rodents from chewing through the entrances after your repair them. Keep in mind that if you can't access the holes easily because they sit behind the water heater, contact an exterminator for assistance. You can damage the water heater or pull loose its pipes from the wall if you move it the wrong way.
If you notice more rat odors or feces in the water heater's closet a week or so after you complete the steps above, schedule a pest control expert for services. You may have a bigger rat problem to solve. For more information, visit websites like http://cavanaughspest.com.
