Category Archives: Mold

How to Protect Your Carpets From Water Damage

wet carpet clean up

Whether you are dealing with a flood or some other form of water damage, it is important to take steps to protect your carpets. These steps include drying the carpets thoroughly, calling a professional flood response service, and preventing mold growth.

Scotchgard TM

Using Scotchgard TM is a great way to protect your carpets from water damage and stains. The protector will extend the life of your carpets and upholstery. Scotchgard TM is an invisible coating that makes it harder for dirt to attach. The coat also protects your carpets from wear.

Scotchgard TM is applied to your carpets and upholstery after cleaning. Depending on the amount of traffic, you may need to have the protector reapplied every six months. The reapplication of Scotchgard TM will preserve the “just cleaned” look.

You may find that you are not needing to clean your carpets as often as you used to. With Scotchgard TM, your carpets will last longer and be easier to maintain. This will save you time and money.

The Scotchgard TM formula is tested by the Environmental Protection Agency. It is safe to use and can be applied to residential and commercial carpets.

Scotchgard TM has a number of different products to choose from. Scotchgard TM OXY Spot & Stain Remover is perfect for cleaning up messes and preventing stains. It will remove tough stains without leaving behind a sticky residue.

Call a professional flood response service

Whether your home has experienced one small flood or a major disaster, it is important to call a professional flood response service to protect your carpets and belongings. These services can make cleanup and restoration easier.

Leaving standing water on your carpet for too long can cause mold and mildew to grow. Also, if the carpet gets wet for longer, you will have a tougher time drying it out.

Using a submersible pump is one way to remove water from your carpet. These pumps can remove large amounts of water quickly.

A wet/dry vacuum is another way to speed up the drying process. This can also help to prevent mold and mildew from growing.

A wet/dry vacuum is also a great way to get rid of excess moisture. It can also be useful for lifting heavy items such as wood furniture from wet areas.

Using a dehumidifier can also speed up the drying process. You may also want to increase ventilation in your flooded home.

One way to prevent such problems is to call on the help of a local Amherst plumber to fix plumbing leaks before they destroy your flooring.

Dry the carpets thoroughly

Getting your carpets dried properly is important if you want to avoid mold growth. The moisture in the carpet can be a breeding ground for bacteria and mold, which can cause serious illnesses.

There are several ways to dry your carpet, but one of the best is to get a dehumidifier. This will help reduce indoor humidity levels and speed up the drying process.

A fan is also a good idea. Fans can create air currents that help dry the carpet. They also help evaporate moisture, which is a big help if your carpet is still damp.

A blow dryer is another good way to speed up the drying process. This method is not as effective as a fan. It will not work as well if the carpet is placed underneath the fan. However, if the fan is placed on the carpet, it can help dry it faster.

A fan may be an obvious way to dry your carpet, but you could also use a box heater. Box heaters can help dry the carpet, but they won’t get rid of moisture like a fan.

Prevent mold growth

Keeping your carpets clean can protect you and your home from mold growth. If you’re dealing with water damage, it’s important to take action as soon as possible. Mold spores can be passed from one surface to another, and can cause serious health problems.

Mold thrives in a damp, warm environment. It’s not only harmful to your health but can damage your carpeting. There are several things you can do to keep your carpet clean and mold-free.

The first step to preventing mold growth is to understand how it grows. Mold is a fungus that’s composed of branch-like structures called hyphae. They produce tiny spores that can infect your home. The spores spread to other surfaces in your home, such as your carpets.

The hyphae also feed on dirt buried deep within your carpet. This can lead to premature wear and tear of your carpet fibers. It’s also important to clean your carpets regularly, to avoid mold growth.

How to prevent mold after basement flooding

mold in basement

Indoor exposure to mold has been found to cause different upper respiratory tract problems, wheeze, and cough even in healthy people.

A cracking foundation, humidity during summer, spring showers, and flood can all take their toll in your basement, particularly its moisture levels. And when there is moisture, you can expect mold to thrive as well.

To prevent mold after basement flooding, there are several steps you can take to keep you and your family safe from different health problems mold can cause.

Turn Off Electricity in Your Basement

Human skin, electricity, and water don’t play well together so always steer clear and switch off your home’s electricity before you go to your basement. As it will naturally be dark in the basement, make sure you use battery-operated and high powered flashlight. There are new affordable LED versions that can give you enough lumens.

Pump Water Out of the Basement

Pump out the water from your basement with a gas-powered water pump. While it may still leave some standing water on the floor, the water pump will at least let you step into your basement. Try fixing your sump pump then and let it pump out the rest of the water. You can also use dry or wet vac to pump out the water. Don’t forget to remove the filter of your vac if it got one since it is not meant to get wet and water will only ruin it.

Get Rid of All Wet Items

It is a painful step but is extremely necessary. Move all the stuff you have in your basement to a dry spot. The driveway or your garage will do. This is because you have to clear up enough space for the rest of the steps. Ask help from your family or friends for this step since you will move furniture or boxes. Working with several pairs of hands can get things done faster as you only got 48 hours before mold starts to grow.

Clean the Floor and Walls

Use soapy and warm water to clean basement floors and walls. Give them a nice scrub to get rid of any grime or dirt. If your carpet is soaking wet, pull it up and allow it to dry separately by placing it outside or in your garage. You will also want to pull up the padding as it can act like a large sponge and hold up lots of water. Form a tent with the pads and carpets for air to travel over on both sides.

Allow Air to Move Around and Eliminate Excess Moisture

After you removed all water from your basement, you should allow air to move around to get rid of excess moisture. You can expect the fastest results from industrial blowers. But, if you are on a tight budget, fans will do as long as they are powerful enough and are close to your floor. You can use a dehumidifier to wick excess moisture from air. Make sure you change the dehumidifier fan on a regular basis since a flooded basement can create lots of air moisture and this pan may fill up quickly.

A wet and moldy basement could be a sign of more significant problems. In that case, contact a foundation repair specialist in Cleveland, Ohio for assistance.