Carpets bring a warmer, more comfortable feel to any space than fashionable wooden flooring ever could.
But carpets pose one big health and safety danger you may not expect: mold.
Carpet mold is a common problem in houses, offices, apartments, stores and any other property, but how can you deal with it effectively? And how do you prevent carpet mold in the first place?
The Essentials of Mold Growth
Airborne mold spores can drift into your property through an open window or doorway. They may land on a damp spot and start to grow if the conditions in the room are right.
How? Certain environmental factors nurture mold and stimulate its expansion — any space which is warm and damp, without proper ventilation, is most welcoming to carpet mold.
As mold feeds on dust and organic materials, carpets make a fertile breeding ground. Fungal growths will expand and release more spores, enabling mold to spread elsewhere around your property.
Carpeted basements, lofts, and bathrooms are more likely to see mold formation. This is because the air in such rooms tends to be moist, especially if there’s no ventilation to minimize condensation.
Signs of Carpet Mold
How do you know if your carpet is affected by mold? It may not be visible on the surface for some time and you could miss it entirely if the carpet is in a room you don’t use very often, such as a basement or storage space.
A close look at your carpet could reveal noticeable signs of mold. If you see it on top, it’s likely to be lurking deeper too, even underneath. A careful examination will show just how far gone the mold’s growth is and whether the carpet can be salvaged.
Mildew is another telltale sign: if your carpet looks discolored or starts to give off an unpleasant musty odor, mold might be to blame.
Flooding is one of the biggest, most common reasons for carpet mold. It’s vital to do everything you can to dry the carpet out properly to avoid the risk of mold forming. Thorough cleaning and drying within the first day or two can make a massive difference and reduce the chances of mold formation significantly.
The Importance of Professional Mold Removal
If you believe carpet mold, or any other type of mold, could be present in your home or workplace, it’s vital you only trust experts to take care of it.
A professional mold removal service ensures the job is done properly and safely. You should never try to remove mold or water after a flood yourself, as you may risk your health and make the problem worse.
Call our experts for comprehensive mold removal services now, including visual inspections, lab analysis, water damage solutions and more.