Four Costly Mistakes To Avoid When Handling And Cleaning A Water-Damaged Carpet
Posted on: 31 May 2022
Water damage is a health concern because it exposes households to mold and high humidity. Water can also damage residential carpets, forcing homeowners to spend a lot of money on new ones. However, whether your carpet survives the water damage depends on the steps taken after the disaster. Unfortunately, homeowners make some mistakes that can frustrate restoration efforts. Therefore, watch out for these mistakes when handling and cleaning your carpet.
Underestimating the Water Damage
Minor plumbing leaks cause minimal to moderate water damage to residential carpets. If your carpet is thick, moisture will penetrate the inner layers, leaving the surface somewhat dry. The absence of water on the surface creates the impression that the carpet is dry. However, this isn't the case. Failure to take the right restoration steps will allow the moisture to damage the carpet and cause mold and mildew growth. Therefore, plan to clean and dry your carpets after water damage. Don't be tricked by the seemingly dry surface because the damage will become evident after a short while.
Waiting Too Long to Clean the Carpet
Time matters when it comes to restoring a water-damaged carpet. The longer you wait, the higher the chances of getting mold and mildew on your carpet. Moisture and warm indoor temperatures create the perfect conditions for mold growth. Once the spores grow, they can multiply on other surfaces, such as the walls and ceilings, forcing you to undertake mold remediation. The moisture may even damage the carpet beyond restoration. Therefore, you can prevent mold growth by drying your carpet as soon as possible.
Using the Wrong Cleaning Techniques
Adopting the wrong cleaning methods can cause more harm to your residential carpets. For example, you may be tempted to use a hairdryer to dry the wet patches. However, the heat can damage the fibers or even cause a fire hazard. Similarly, steam cleaners are not ideal for cleaning a water-damaged carpet because the steam can set existing stains. Instead, you need to remove the excess water from the carpet and dry it completely. If you have mold, use mold-removal carpet cleaners to kill the fungus.
Failing to Dry the Carpet Properly
You must thoroughly dry your carpet to remove all the moisture and prevent mold and mildew growth. Don't leave it in a poorly ventilated room after cleaning it. Instead, dry it outside where there is adequate air circulation. If this isn't possible, open the windows to allow adequate airflow. Use dehumidifiers and industrial fans to circulate air and get rid of moisture in the room, so your carpet can dry properly.
Avoid DIY carpet cleaning because you may make mistakes that will damage your carpet. Contact a restoration service for carpet cleaning.
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