Methods to Stop Mold from Spreading in Your Carpets After a Water Damage

Carpet water damage mold and black mold in the carpet can develop anytime your carpet has become
wet and stayed wet for a while without the opportunity to dry out thoroughly. If your home had some
flooding and the carpet was damp for more than 24 hours, you probably have some mold in your
carpets. Mold in your home carries many health risks and can be a great deal of work to clean up.

Health Risks of Stachybotrys Chartarum

Black mold, technically known as Stachybotrys chartarum, carries many known health risks, which is
why you don’t want it in your carpet. Health risks of black mold in your carpet include:

·        difficulty breathing

·        frequent respiratory infections

·        asthma attacks

·        development of asthma in people previously not diagnosed with the condition

·        coughing

·        sneezing

·        itchy, watery eyes

·        headaches

·        depression

·        fatigue

Once carpet water damage mold has taken hold, there’s often no cleaning it up. You can shampoo
your carpet but that won’t remove all the mold. Additionally, if the carpet has been wet for more than
48 hours, the floor and padding beneath the carpet probably have mold as well. This is another of
those situations in which you can attempt the clean up on your own but would be wise to call in a
professional like the mold remediation specialist from ServiceMaster by Lovejoy to handle the
job for you.

Mold spores and bacteria naturally exist in settled dust, especially in carpets. When carpets get wet,
the water and existing dust, dirt, hair, fibers, skin cells, food crumbs, bug parts, etc in the carpet
provide the necessary food and moisture for the mold and bacteria to grow in the carpet. Once mold
starts to grow in the carpet, then mold odors start to become discernible in the room.

Carpeting that gets wet during a flood (for example) may be salvageable if the carpet is quickly (within
48 hours) dried. Carpets can be dried using dehumidification and water extraction equipment to remove
the moisture in the carpet. Call ServiceMaster by Lovejoy for immediate assistance.

After the carpet is dried, then the carpet can be cleaned by thoroughly HEPA vacuuming the carpet to
remove the mold spores and bacteria in the carpet.

If more than 48 hours pass before the carpet is dried, then mold will likely have started to grow into the
carpet fabrics. If the carpet gets wet again or the carpet is exposed to elevated levels of moisture/
humidity, then mold growth and related odors will likely recur.

If the carpet is an area rug, then the carpet can be placed outdoors in the direct sunlight during the
warm/hot months of the year to dry the carpet. The sun’s UV rays will also kill some of the mold and
bacteria. However, the area rug still needs to be thoroughly HEPA vacuumed before it is re-installed.

In accordance with IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration) guidelines, water-
damaged carpets should be removed and disposed of, including the padding beneath the carpeting.
The flooring beneath should be inspected for mold growth.

You can hire ServiceMaster by Lovejoy, a licensed mold remediation contractor, to handle the
entire task.

ServiceMaster by Lovejoy will give you a free assessment, recommendations, and valuable advice
along with their estimate. They may also find some additional mold you didn’t even know was in your
home. You can follow this link to get a list of local Mold Removal Specialists in your area. If you see
visible mold on any porous materials like drywall, wood or personal possessions it is extremely likely
that you need the professional mold remediation services of ServiceMaster by Lovejoy.
Mold Remediationis not for the local handyman. If steps are missed, your house or company may be
left with lingering issues or worse yet, the entire problem returns. Call us now for Immediate Assistance
at 678-293-0297.