The plumber has left and the puddle is gone, but residents still notice a musty smell near the lift. Before booking a carpet clean, check what work was done after the leak and who assessed whether the affected materials dried. Carpet, skirting and adjoining surfaces may need different attention.
Document what changed after the leak
Record when the leak happened, the rooms or corridor sections affected and where residents first noticed the smell. Ask for any repair and drying records. If the smell becomes stronger after rain or after a particular fixture is used, include that detail in your report to the strata manager or building manager.
Report new water, visible damage or possible mould promptly. If the source could be common property, refer to the NSW Government’s strata repairs and maintenance guidance for the reporting process.
Confirm the area is ready for routine cleaning
Ask the building manager to arrange an assessment if materials still appear damp, the source is unclear or there is visible mould. Tell the cleaner about the leak before they start so they can plan around any affected or restricted areas. NSW Health explains why addressing the moisture source matters when dealing with indoor mould. Read NSW Health’s mould guidance.
Once the affected area has been assessed and released for routine cleaning, confirm which surfaces need attention. A carpeted corridor may need a different approach from a tiled entry with residue along the skirting. Give residents notice if any part of the corridor will be temporarily unavailable and keep an accessible route open.
Recheck the area and update residents
Ask the building manager to check the location after the cleaning visit and again under conditions similar to those when the smell was first reported. If it returns, send the updated timeline to the person who arranged the leak assessment. A brief resident update can explain what was checked and where to report any recurrence.
For common-area cleaning after the building manager has cleared the affected area, contact Multi Cleaning’s strata cleaning team.
