A gallon or more of gasoline was poured down the side of my house. I am assuming it soaked into the basement concrete blocks below ground. I have opened the windows (it is January, very cold). I placed a fan in the window of the room that has the wall where the gas was spilled. It is day three, a lot of the smell is gone, but still enough to make me nauseated and a fierce headache. I read somewhere that it can take months to evaporate out of the concrete. Is this true. And if it is, is there anything I can do to help neutralize the smell? I am desperate. Thanks.
Our Answer
Kathy, there are a number of home products available for the clean up of gasoline spills on a variety of surfaces, but in this case it seems you have the more complicated problem of getting to the spill in the soil and concrete foundation of your home.
For this, I'd recommend commercial product like Biosolve, which is designed to soak in and neutralize the hydrocarbons and odors associated with the spill. This should be effective at attacking the spill in the soil and in the concrete blocks. Be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions exactly for removing the gasoline odor.
There was a major gas spill in my Lanai while I was on vacation. Came back a week later and it seems to have soaked through the walls into my kitchen walls behind my cabinets and tile and now I can smell it throughout my kitchen and when I open my cabinets. How can I get rid of this odor from the inside and also on the outside concrete walls and floor? I have been very nauseated and major headaches from this odor please help.
Emelea, I’d recommend you contact your homeowners insurance company and submit a claim. This a specialized type of cleaning may require opening the walls and can be expensive.
Thank you. I am going to contact the local fire department.