Carpet can make a home feel warm and cozy, which is something we may well appreciate during the cold winter months. However, if your home has areas prone to dampness, is it wise to install carpet in them?
Damp spaces tend to be much more prone to problems associated with water intrusion, as issues like mold tend to thrive in humid environments. Installing a carpet in a damp space will leave it susceptible to mold growth. Mold in carpet is often only noticeable when the problem has developed into a bad case. So, carpet mold could be affecting your indoor air quality and living conditions before you realize it’s even there. Lifting the carpet to check underneath will help you discover whether mold is developing in it or not.
If you do find mold in your carpets, what can you do about it? The solution will depend on how much mold is in the carpet and how long it has been there. For example, if there is only a small mold patch that has recently developed, you will most probably be able to take care of it with cleaning. But, if the carpet has been wet for longer than 24 hours, as in the case of a flood, or the mold is covering a large area, then it is best to get rid of the carpet altogether as well as the padding underneath. Before replacing the flooring, make sure the subfloor is very clean and completely dried out. It is better to be safe than sorry.
Recent Comments