It’s difficult to deal with a moist carpet that never seems to dry! Unfortunately, this issue tends to arise from time to time and causes homeowners many headaches. But don’t worry. We’ve got you covered! In today’s post, we’ll discuss some practical solutions for dealing with moist carpets.
How to detect moisture in the carpet
A moist carpet isn’t always easy to spot like it is the case with identifying a burst pipe. The carpet might seem dry on the surface, meaning you will never know if the moisture has been soaking the inner fibers for long.
You are likely to experience these signs if you don’t check the corners of your home that might cause flooding. One of the common signs of a moist carpet is smelling a foul odor from the affected area. After noticing this, you should act right away. The foul smell can leave your home stinking if the affected area is not treated.
What are the effects of ignoring carpet moisture for too long?
Cleaning and vacuuming your carpet regularly might not fix the problem. If this is the case, it shows that the moisture has seeped through the carpet’s inner fibers and affected its stability. As time goes by, you might notice some discoloration in some parts of your carpet.
Letting wet carpets go for a long time without attending to them can cause significant damage not only to the carpet but also to the subfloor and padding. Mildew and mold can grow, resulting in a wide range of problems.
Mold spores can be very toxic to both animals and humans. This means they could cause infections that affect your health. They also affect the air conditioner in your home, triggering allergic reactions. Source: DoItYourself
How to dry the carpet?
Rodriguez-Zaba says water damage professionals use pro-grade water extraction machines that thoroughly remove water from carpet. But if there isn’t too much water, she recommends renting a large wet-dry vacuum from a local hardware or home improvement store. If you go this DIY route:
- Read the vacuum instruction manual to ensure you have the right filters and accessories in place for vacuuming up liquids.
- Once you’ve extracted as much water as possible, lift the carpet and remove the wet padding beneath. “You will need to tear out the wet pad as it will not dry once soaked,” she says.
- Replace the soaked pad.
- Run a dehumidifier in the room. If possible, open windows to speed up the drying process. Running fans creates air currents, which also aids drying. Be patient as this process can take several days, Rodriguez-Zaba cautions. Source: FamilyHandyman
When to call a professional
If you’ve followed this step-by-step process and are still dealing with carpet smells or wet spots on the carpeting, you should call a professional carpet cleaning company right away. They will examine your flooring to determine whether or not you could salvage the carpeting with a hot water steam cleaning or if you need to just replace it entirely. Source: Hunker
We hope you found today’s post helpful! If you’re still struggling with a moist carpet, give us a call. We’ll be happy to help you out. In the meantime, make sure to check our website for more tips and advice!
