Flood Damaged Carpets Increases Risk of Mold and Mildew

Prompt Attention to Flood Damaged Carpets Lowers Risk of Mold & Mildew

Flood damaged carpets must be treated with urgency.

All homeowners are potentially at risk for water damage to their carpets and area rugs. If the flooring stays wet for any length of time, it creates the perfect breeding ground for harmful mold spores, which can cause health problems once inhaled. 

Professional cleaning can lower this risk from flood damaged carpets and may help to save the damaged flooring.  Several circumstances may result in a flood. Simply because a neighborhood has been “dry” in the past doesn’t mean that it is somehow immune from the risk of becoming flood damaged. 

Potential Origins Of Flood Damaged Carpets

Heavy rains can saturate the ground and back up storm drains, which can lead to flooding in homes. The annual spring thaw is a time when water levels are high due to melting snow and ice.

The resulting run-off creates the perfect conditions for flooding as soon as the weather starts to warm up. Flooding can also take place after a wildfire. Special flood insurance coverage needs to be in place to cover this type of loss. 

When the damage to the carpet or area rug is caused by a spill not linked to flooding, Quotezone home insurance would cover this type of loss. The homeowner should report the claim as soon as possible and take reasonable steps to use towels or other items to remove excess liquid from the carpet to avoid having flood damaged  fibers.

Signs of Mold in Carpet

Once a carpet gets wet, mold can start to grow very quickly. Basements are an ideal place for mold to grow, as well as environments which do not get sufficient ventilation. Unless the carpet is inspected regularly, it can be difficult to detect a problem with mold. Some signs that it may have taken hold include Musty Odor A musty smell from a rug or carpet is a sign that mold is present. The spores can cause breathing problems for people who are susceptible to asthma and bronchitis.  Black, Green, or White Growth on the Carpet When the growth reaches an advanced stage; it may appear black, green or white. The discoloration on the surface of the carpet is caused by the mold multiplying and spreading through the carpet fibers.

Mold Growth Under the Flood Damaged Carpet

Lifting the carpet and looking underneath is a good strategy to determine whether it has been infested with mold. Discolored patches on the underside or the floor underneath may be an indication of a mold problem.

Get the Flood Damaged Carpet Professionally Cleaned

A carpet that has come into contact with flood waters has also picked up bacteria and debris. The standard household carpet cleaning solution will probably not be strong enough to rid it of hazards. To render the flooring safe for use, it requires the attention of a professional carpet cleaning company which has access to stronger cleaning products to rid the flooring of all traces of these unwelcome microbes.

Hot water extraction is the preferred cleaning method in this situation. A professional carpet cleaning company has the expertise to handle a flood clean-up. The carpet will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. The equipment will remove the water and allow the rug to dry quickly, which reduces the risk of damage from mold and mildew.  

Area rugs can be removed from the home, cleaned and returned to the homeowner when they are completely dry. This strategy will minimize damage from the flood and lowers the risk that the rug will be ruined. It also lowers the risk of health concerns for all members of the family following the event.

While no home owner wants to think about flooding, it causes millions of dollars in property damage and leads to a number of health concerns each year. When a flood or even a simple spill occurs on a carpet or an area rug occurs, the best thing to do is seek help from a professional carpet cleaning company that has the knowledge and expertise to deal with the situation quickly and appropriately. 

The longer the flooring remains damp, the better the chances that mold will have the chance to start growing. By enlisting the help of a professional cleaning company, homeowners can save their flooring after water damage and get on with their lives more quickly. Getting it cleaned up is a much quicker and more convenient alternative to having to have the flooring replaced.