How often have you heard people talk about black mold with the same sort of homeowner’s horror that might be used to describe a massive hole in the roof? Mold may not seem like a big deal, but it can be just as harmful to your home and your family as that theoretical hole in the roof. It can damage your carpeting, rot away the supporting subfloor, and cause serious health issues for anyone living in the house and breathing in the mold spores regularly. Caring for your carpets is particularly important because the fibers can easily hide a wide patch of mold until the mold has had a chance to spread and damage the structure of your home. So, what do you do if your carpets have mold problems?
Preventing Mold Growth
As the saying goes, “the best defense is a good offense.” It works in the sports world, and it will work just as well in your home. As much as possible, it’s important to care for your carpets to not only prevent mold, but also to help your carpets last longer in general. Mold growth can be jump-started by just about any liquid seeping into the carpet and carpet pad. Whether it’s a glass of water or a burst pipe, it’s important to clean up and dry the moisture as quickly as possible to prevent mold from forming.
For smaller spills, blot at the wet spot (don’t rub, especially with colored liquids) to absorb as much of the moisture as possible then use a steam cleaner and carpet cleaning solution to take care of the rest. For larger spills or water damage, you may need the assistance of blowers and a dehumidifier to dry the area quickly enough that mold doesn’t start to grow — especially in the humid climate we have here in San Antonio.
Carpet Mold Removal
Unfortunately, accidents still happen that create the right circumstances for mold to grow. Maybe a toddler’s sippy cup spilled under the couch where you didn’t notice it, or maybe the pad under the carpet didn’t dry quickly enough from a spill you thought you cleaned. Whatever the case, as soon as you find evidence of mold, it’s important to take action right away. The sooner you clear up the mold, the less chance it has to damage the carpeting, carpet pad, or subfloor.
There are some methods you can use to clean the mold on your own. However, those methods don’t necessarily get all the way through the carpet fibers to mold that may be underneath — and if you don’t get all the mold spores, it will just grow back. Professional carpet cleaning services are a better option for ridding your carpets of mold once and for all. Our specialized tools and cleaning solutions are designed to work all the way into the carpet fibers, break up mold and other debris, and sanitize the area so mold won’t return.
If you notice a moldy spot on your carpet, don’t delay. Contact the Steam Master Cleaning & Restoration team for help dealing with your mold issue and improving the longevity of your carpets.