After a flood or water damage has occurred, the number one concern is mold. Fibrous or porous materials, like carpet, become the perfect breeding ground for mold development. It is essential to prevent mold from developing inside your home or risk exposure to mold spores that can lead to respiratory problems. American Hometown Services will focus on preventing mold growth in carpet and what steps you will need to take to ensure a healthier living environment.

What Can I Spray on My Carpet or Do to Prevent Mold?

Due to the nature of carpets, they are prone to develop mold once exposed to large amounts of water. This is why when flooding or water damage occurs, act fast and follow these steps to help prevent mold growth in carpets.
Step 1. When flooding occurs from a broken or leaking pipe or rain storm, it is important to remove as much water as possible. For efficiency and effectiveness, rent a carpet water extraction machine. However, you can also use a basic shop vac.
Step 2. After you have extracted all of the water out of the carpet, and as much as possible out of the under padding, you will want to dry the carpet out as best you can. The quicker the carpet dries the more you can reduce the chance of possible mold growth. Open all of the windows if weather is favorable. Turn on ceiling fans and turn on lights. For best results, you may want to consider renting high power fans and help dry the areas out quicker. Remember to leave the lights on until the carpets are fully dry, which takes up to 24 hours. The light’s rays can deter and prevent mold growth.
Step 3. As the carpets are drying you will also want to use a dehumidifier. By using a dehumidifier in affected areas, all the moisture that’s trapped inside the carpet will be removed. This will help prevent mold growth.
Step 4. After the carpet is dry, you will next need to clean, sanitize, and remove any lingering odors from out of the carpet. This is usually done with a steam cleaning machine. Usually after the drying stage, you will want to remove the carpet under padding and replace it. During this time you will want to sanitize the walls or baseboards as well as the floor’s foundation. Once the floor’s surroundings are sanitized and cleaned, the carpet can be reinstalled.
Step 5. After the carpets have been reinstalled, they will need to undergo deep cleaning and sanitizing to ensure no future mold growth in the carpet. Once the carpet has been cleaned and deodorized, you can begin moving the furniture back inside the carpet.
Step 6. Your final step before you move furniture back into the room, is to inspect and clean each piece before they are placed back inside the room. Mold is still a possible threat if the furniture is harboring early mold development. This is why it is equally important to clean and sanitize furniture as it was for carpet.

Carpet Cleaning, Water Damage Restoration, Mold Remediation & More in Quincy, Macomb, Hamilton, Warsaw & East Alton Illinois | Hannibal, Missouri

If your home was recently flooded and you need help restoring your home after water damage, contact American Hometown Services. We offer steam carpet cleaning as well as water and fire damage as well as mold remediation. When your home experiences a disaster, contact us!