6 Steps For Preventing Carpet Mold Following Water Damage

Homeowners who have even small amounts of water seep into their houses from a broken pipe or flooding need to worry about mold.

It really doesn’t take a lot of water in order for mold to start to grow and do lots of damage. Being exposed to mold can cause some people health problems by irritating the lungs, throat, eyes, or nose. Breathing in airborne mold might trigger symptoms in people with allergies, asthma, and hay fever.

The best thing you can do to prevent the spread of mold is to act quickly anytime you know there is water inside.

1. Remove water as soon as you can.

Clean up as much of the water as quickly as possible using a wet/dry vacuum. Those machines are very effective at removing water. You can rent one or a smoke and water remediation company specializing in fixing residential flood damage can bring one out.

2. Speed the carpet drying process up by using fans

To get a water-damaged area completely dry using fans can take several days. Fortunately, they help to circulate fresh air as well.

Even when you think everything is dry inside you should keep your fans going for at least another week 24 hours per day.

High-power drying fans can be rented from a tool rental service or home improvement store.

3. Dry out each room using a dehumidifier

Excess moisture is removed by these machines and they make the air feel much cooler and help to limit the growth of mildew and mold. Any equipment that can help dry the ground and air out will help to speed the drying time up for your damaged coverings and floors.

4. Steam clean flooring and carpet

Steam cleaning your carpets in order to properly deodorize and sanitize them. Carpet padding that has been water-damaged will usually need to be replaced.  

It is a lot less expensive to replace only the padding instead of needing to re-carpet your whole house.

5. Sanitize baseboards and walls

You should sanitize anything that has been touched by stormwater. Clean all household surfaces such as hard-surface floors and walls with water and soap.

Sanitize using a solution of one gallon of water and 1.5 cups of chlorine bleach. During cleanup make sure that you wear rubber gloves.

6. Check your furniture

Remove furniture from any flooring that is wet and look for water damage.

Water damage can hide easily under carpet or rugs, so make sure to thoroughly inspect your house if you suspect there is any water damage.

Let Maid Clan cleaning experts help you. Give us a call today!