One of the toughest places to spot mold is in (and under) your carpet. Mold can grow on the underside of your floor covering for a long time undetected. It may not be until a case of carpet mold has gotten fairly serious that you will see visible signs of it on the surface.
The Search for Clues
In order to remediate a carpet mold problem, you have to know that it exists. Here are some signs you can look for to let you know that you may have a situation that needs addressing:
Musty smell
Often even before you can see mold, you can smell it. If a space is warm and humid, and there’s a strong musty odor, that’s a sign that mold may be growing and you might want to investigate further by looking under furniture, pulling back carpet in corners, etc.
Spots on carpet
Green, black, or white growth on the top surface of your carpet is a very strong indicator that you’ll find even more mold growing underneath the carpet and/or pad. And the longer you wait to take action, the farther the colony or colonies will spread.
Growth on walls, especially at floor level
If mold has begun to grow on the exposed surface of walls, that means the conditions in a space are great for mold. It also means the conditions under your carpet are probably even better.
Noticeable increase in allergy symptoms
A high level of mold spores in the air can trigger an allergic reaction in some people. If people in your home start to exhibit allergy symptoms, you may want to look around for mold colonies. The symptoms could certainly be caused by a change of seasons or other factors outside your control, but mold is something you can tackle so it’s good to know if that’s the cause.
Damp carpet
Moist carpet is an ideal breeding ground for mold. Even if it was only saturated for a short time, you can expect an explosion of mold colonies before long.
Remediation: Remove and Replace
Once mold has begun to grow on carpet, there’s very little that can be done. In cases where it is caught early and confined to a small space, you may be able to clean the carpet effectively. But generally speaking, the remediation involves removing the carpet and pad, cleaning the floor with an anti-mold solution, and installing new carpet and pad.
Take Steps to Prevent Mold
There are steps you can take to help prevent mold from taking hold in your carpet. Proper ventilation is at the top of the list. Using anti-microbial carpet padding can help as well. And when spills or leaks occur, tending to them quickly is important. We’ve got experience in mold prevention and remediation. If you have questions, call JMC today!
