Are you dealing with water damage in your home? Has the water made its way onto and beneath your carpets? If so, the growth of mold is a risk that you need to be aware of for you and your family’s health. It may be surprising to hear that mold can start growing as quickly as 24 hours after your carpet gets exposed to water. So what do you do?
Start the Clean Up Right Away
If the water is something you can clear out by yourself, try to get rid of it as soon as possible. Letting the water sit can lead to a damaged carpet. It’s going to be tough drying out the carpet if the water seeps into it. Your flooring is also something to worry about as the hardwood flooring can start to warp and wear away when exposed to water.
If the water isn’t something that can be cleared out by yourself, you need the help of water damage remediation experts. They can bring in tools to remove the water as quickly as possible. They’ll also take the proper safety steps and be mindful of electrical hazards and existing mold.
Sanitize and Deodorize
The next step is to sanitize the carpet and flooring. You can sanitize your carpets and flooring in many different ways. You can scrub using baking soda, use bleach diluted with water if you suspect mold, or steam clean. The amount of labor will depend on the amount of surface area that was exposed to the water. It may be better to get the help of emergency water damage remediation professionals.
You also want to deodorize the carpet and flooring underneath. Even if there isn’t any mold, the water can still cause weird odors. You can use baking soda and also use dehumidifiers to pick up the excess moisture that may be contributing to the smell.
Dry Everything Out
If there was a lot of water due to flooding, letting things dry out on their own won’t work. You’ll need to use multiple high-power fans to assist with the drying process. The fans should be kept running throughout the day for a couple of days. Many dehumidifiers should also be running to help out with the process.
If you can rent an industrial fan from your local home improvement store, you should jump at the opportunity. It’s a small price to pay for preventing mold and severe water damage.
These are the steps you want to take to prevent mold growth in your carpet. If you’re in an emergency, you’ll want to hire a professional company to deal with water damage. Responding to water problems right away will prevent a lot of headaches, and the need for expensive repairs.
Contact Doiggs Restoration to learn how we can help.