Identifying and Preventing Mold Growth in Your Carpet
The onsets of monsoon in Columbia, MD can cause a lot of stress to your carpets. Fungus and molds can start to spread through your carpet. Mold growth in your carpets is one of the nastiest stuff to get rid off.
Signs to Identify Mold Growth
Molds growing underneath your carpet will not be visible on the surface, but that does not mean that mold growth is not in progress. In fact, the mold will only be visible in severe damages, such as due to flooding. Following are some ways you can identify mold growth:
Visible Mold
In rare cases, mold growth can be identifiable by visual inspection. If you can see mold occurring on the carpet, the carpet is most likely not salvageable and should be replaced immediately. Many times, mold cannot be seen on the surface, but it grows underneath the carpet. If you think there could be mold forming on your carpet, always check both sides of the carpet.
Carpet Mildew
If you can visibly see any discoloration or odor coming from the carpet, there might be mold forming inside the carpet.
Padding Under the Carpet is Wet
If due to any reason, the padding beneath the carpet has become wet or moist from condensation, the padding is at risk of mold growth. In this case, the padding might have to be replaced and in some cases the carpet too.
Severely Water-damaged or Wet Carpet
Any carpet that is subjected to water damage from flood or stagnant water is susceptible to mold growth and should be disposed of as soon as possible. There is a high chance of mold growth, even if it is not visible on the surface.
Unless the carpet is completely removed, cleaned and dried within 28 to 48 hours from when the carpet was subjected to water. Even then it is not guaranteed and is more likely that the carpet will need to be replaced.
Odor Coming From the Carpet
There could be many reasons that cause odors and stains on your carpet. You can take samples and get it analyzed to determine if mold growth has occurred.
How to prevent mold growth in your carpet?
The best way to prevent mold growth in your carpet is by ensuring that conditions conducive to mold growth do not exist inside the house. Below are some points you can keep in mind:
- Reduce Humidity: A range of 30% to 60% humidity level inside the house is perfect for maintaining a mold-free carpet. Installing dehumidifiers will help control moisture in the air and deprive spores of water to grow into molds.
- Keep Temperature Low: 80 degrees F or more is contributory to mold growth. Using an efficient HVAC will both lower the humidity and temperature.
- Use Good Quality Padding: A rubber slab carpet padding can help prevent the growth of mold, especially in periods of high humidity. Though, it is more expensive than other types of padding.
- Don’t Allow Stagnant Water: If the carpet is exposed to standing water due to leaks or spill, all carpet should be cleaned and dried immediately. Along with, the top and bottom surfaces of the carpet, the padding should also be cleaned and dried. If there occurs a flooding inside the house, the carpet would most probably have to be replaced.
- Clean Your Carpet Smartly: When cleaning your carpet, use a dry form of cleaning whenever possible. Regular vacuuming your carpet on a weekly basis will clean a carpet enough to inhibit mold growth.
All areas of your interior are at risk for mold growth, but prevention is the best way to control carpet mold forming in your carpet. Try to eliminate high-moisture conditions and prevent any risk of flooding or standing water; it will reduce any possibility of mold growth.
And not to forget, getting your carpets professionally cleaned is one of the best ways to banish fungus and mold growth. Get in touch with the best carpet cleaners in Columbia, Maryland. Contact Dri-Masters on 800-897-4032.
