Risks of Extended Dampness on Carpets

16 Aug Risks of Extended Dampness on Carpets

The Dangers of Damp Carpets

Hot, humid days coupled with drenching rains are part of every summer in Virginia. All that wetness means lots of plants growing, which can be good or bad.

On the good side, our foliage stays lush and green long into the summer. On the negative side, some of the things that are flourishing are mold and mildew.

Mold, Mildew, and Fungi

People use the terms mold and mildew interchangeably, but what are they?

Mold is the popular term for growths that are all members of the fungus family. Different mold spores grow on different surfaces, so the mold spores in your air vents are different from those that grow on your bathroom grout, which in turn are different from those that grow in your garden. To simplify things, we refer to all of them as “mold,” but in fact, there are over 300,000 types of fungi that grow indoors.

Not all fungi are bad. Some mushroom varieties are tasty and good for you. In nature, they serve an important function of breaking down old, dead plants and removing toxins from the environment. Mold supplies the delicious taste of certain sharp cheeses makes brewing beer and baking bread possible and led to the invention of penicillin.

That said, you don’t want the dangerous type of mold growing in your house. And the primary way you’re guaranteed to have mold and fungi is in a home that’s damp.

Health Hazards of Mold

In studies conducted over several years, the Institute of Medicine found that while mold spores couldn’t be linked to definite illnesses like cancer or skin infections, they were responsible for:

• creating asthma symptoms, even in people who didn’t suffer from asthma;
• wheezing and shortness of breath in children;
• headaches and coughing in otherwise healthy people.

Some researchers have found that mold spores directly cause several human illnesses, including sinusitis, pneumonitis, toxicity and extreme allergic reactions.

The Centers for Disease Control put it simply: “If you can see or smell mold, a health risk may be present. You do not need to know the type of mold growing in your home… No matter what type of mold is present, you should remove it.”

Carpet and Upholstery

If you’ve had any kind of leaks, wetness or flooding where you have carpet or upholstered furniture, you need to take immediate action to get those fibers dry and mold-free.

Health specialists recommend the following steps to protect your home and your family.

• Hire a professional carpet cleaning or restoration company that uses steam extraction to remove dampness, mold, and allergens.
• In areas that are frequently damp, like basements and kitchens, remove the carpeting and use alternative flooring.
• Consult with a cleaning or restoration specialist to determine if the carpet and furniture can be restored and cleaned or if they need to be thrown out.
• Set a routine schedule of cleaning to keep mold to a minimum.

The Right Cleaning and Restoration Partner

When it’s time to rid your home of ugly, dangerous dampness and mold, it’s time to call Carpet Keepers. Whether you rely on our patented PureScience cleaning technology or our PureRestore restoration service, we guarantee cleaning that:

• removes dampness to leave carpet and upholstery thoroughly clean and dry;
• eradicates mold and mildew;
• destroys dust mites, allergens, and toxins.

Don’t battle the mold invasion on your own. Call Carpet Keepers and get the help you need to keep your home fungus-free and healthy.