A little bit of water and wet carpet never killed anyone, but a serious mold growth outbreak could cause fatalities if not properly mitigated. One of the main focuses of water damage restoration company is preventing mold growth after water is removed and belonging or structures are completely dry. Homeowners often believe they can simply use a shop vacuum to suck out the water and soak up the excess water out of the carpet with towels and their water damage is solved; however, there is much more you need to do to have complete mitigation and get mold out of your carpet.
Cleaning Mold from Carpets
The best way to clean mold from carpets is to hire a professional water damage restoration company that is trained and licensed in mold removal. There are several steps to take for proper mold removal.
- `Thorough Cleaning- Carpets that have mold must be thoroughly cleaned with commercial grade carpet shampoos for mold.
- Drying- After the carpets are cleaned, they will need to be dried completely using commercial fans and dehumidifiers. The drying process is the most crucial step of the mold removal process.
- Deodorize- Mold always leaves behind a musty smell, so deodorizing is especially important. Homeowners can use retail grade carpet deodorizer products, but the professional water damage restoration company will have the absolute best products that will not take multiple applications.
Homeowners need to be aware that some carpets cannot be saved. If the mold growth is excessive, mold has grown into the padding and flooring underneath, or the carpet has started to degrade due to the water damage, it will be better to do a full replacement. The water damage cleanup company you are working with can help you decide whether your carpets are going to be salvageable or not. Often carpet cleaning or replacement can be covered by your flood insurance coverage. If you have water in your Crawlspace, ServiceMaster of Greater Pittsburgh can help if you call 412-424-6755 or visit us on Facebook.