What You Need to Know About Mold in Your Carpet

June 3, 2019 6:29 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Carpet flooring makes any room warm, inviting and comfortable. Slipping your shoes off and sinking your feet into the carpet is the first step of unwinding after a long day of work. However, just about nothing can ruin that feeling more than finding out there’s mold in the carpet. Mold can thrive in the warmth and density of a woven carpet. It can be absolutely repulsive to a homeowner to find out their space has been invaded by something as unpleasant as mold.

Mold can fester in a carpet unnoticed for months, and it can be very difficult to detect. But unseen mold could be triggering allergic responses and causing asthma attacks. In addition, mold can irritate the skin, throat, nose and lungs, even if you’re not allergic. Read on to learn some tips from a mold inspector in Portland, OR about how to spot mold and the best steps to address it.

Signs of carpet mold

Just because mold isn’t immediately visible doesn’t mean it’s not there. Carpet mold is actually only visible in the most severe cases, like if the carpet has remained wet after a flooding or plumbing incident. Watch out for the following signs that mold growth has started:

  • Smells: A musty smell is one of the clearest signs of carpet mold. Unfortunately, it can be easy to miss this smell in your own home. Many people don’t notice it until a visitor makes a comment. Take note and try to identify the cause of the smell once someone points it out. If you can’t, it’s time to call a mold inspector in Portland, OR for help.
  • Health problems: Carpet mold can cause allergies, itchy eyes and skin, breathing difficulties and even severe lung complications, such as bronchitis.
  • Wet carpet: Mold can quickly grow if a spot on the carpet stays wet for more than 24 hours.
  • Visible mold growth: Yes, you should be concerned about that green or black spot on the carpet. This is the most obvious sign of mold growth and needs professional attention as soon as possible.

Preventing mold growth

The best method to combat mold is to prevent it from growing in the first place. This can be done by following these tips:

  • Reduce humidity: Humid environments are especially prone to mold growth. Use a dehumidifier to control the moisture in the air, which will deprive the mold spores of the water they need to grow.
  • Install smart flooring: Don’t install carpeting in high moisture areas, such as the bathroom. Choose tile in these rooms to avoid mold growth.
  • Avoid standing water: Standing water is a surefire way to get mold. All carpeting exposed to water from a leak or spill needs to be cleaned and dried immediately. Plan to replace the carpet entirely after a large flood or plumbing disaster.
  • Clean smart: Carpet cleaning needs to be done strategically to avoid mold growth. Use a dry form of cleaning if possible. Any water or liquid used when cleaning will need to be thoroughly dried afterwards.

Unfortunately, mold can still happen—but the professionals at Active Mold Control LLC can help. Call today to speak to one of our mold inspectors in Portland, OR.

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