One of the most common culprits for carpet water damage is rainfall f you have leaks in your windows and ceilings, rainwater can leak through and soak your carpets. Always check your walls and ceilings for any moisture formation as this is a good indication that you have water leaks inside your home.
A leaking pipe is one of the most common reasons that a carpet might be consistently and regularly getting damp. Pipes are a facet of a property that are always in use, and if they have fallen into disrepair then it may well mean you will have a damp related issue on your hands soon enough.
Heating and Insulation
Proper heating will keep your home warmer and lower the humidity levels inside. Keeping constant temperature with low background heating in cold weather will also help reduce condensation. Getting an air dehumidifier is a good option for lowering the moisture at home.
If it's not the pipes and it's not the foundation, the water might be coming in through the windows and doors of your home. Improperly sealed windows can leak on a rainy day, and the water can drain down the wall and into the floors and subfloors. If this happens, you need to start by sealing the windows with caulk.
Fans and dehumidifiers are your best options to help speed this process up. The lower the humidity in the room the faster the water will evaporate out of the carpet. Using fans will help to speed up the evaporation process. If you do not have a ceiling fan, make sure you have a desk or stand-alone fan available.
When Should You Replace Water Damaged Carpets? Experts recommend replacing the carpet after 72 hours of exposure. So, if you have a wet carpet for 72 hours or more, then it's time to call in professionals.
It only takes 24 to 48 hours for mold spore to begin to grow on damp carpeting. Indoor mold can cause permanent damage to a home as well as health troubles and allergies in people. Mold on carpet can grow rapidly and be incredibly dangerous if you don't detect and get rid of it quickly.
So, what happens during rain? Well, it's pretty common for windows to be closed – and without any other ventilation options available, you can easily see how humidity could build within a home, leading to a higher level of condensation and a general feeling of 'dampness'.
Penetrating damp is the name given to the movement of water from exterior facades or roof defects to interior surfaces. It can occur after particularly heavy rainfall in properties with solid brick construction, properties without an insulating cavity, or if the cavity has been incorrectly filled.
Use A Dehumidifier
An efficient way of hastening the drying process is with one or two dehumidifiers. Dehumidifiers reduce moisture, helping your carpet dry faster. Just be wary if running them with windows open as this may compromise their effectiveness and compromise drying efforts.
Warm air holds more moisture than cold air. The warmer it is, the more moisture it can hold. Heating one room, and leaving the others cold, will lead to more condensation forming in the cold rooms. If you have central heating with radiators in every room, it is best to have a medium level of heat throughout your home.
The World Health Organisation guidelines suggest 21 degrees in a living room and 18 degrees in the bedrooms, falling lower at night and when you are out. You don't need to keep your home at these temperatures all the time, but you should aim to bring it up to these temperatures at least some of the day.
Your carpet may also be damp or wet due to a gradual hidden leak constantly seeping under its surface. In such instances, you may not even notice it's wet or damp right away. You will, however, notice a foul, musty smell emanating from the area if the leak continues.
A carpet saturated during water damage rapidly converts into a highly efficient mold-breeding ecosystem, continuously releasing toxic airborne reproductive spores, spreading contamination throughout the house, and producing allergic symptoms to susceptible occupants.
This "Why is the Carpet all Wet, Todd?" is a classic line from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation spoken by Emmy-award winning actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus before she was cast as "Elaine" on Seinfeld -- it makes us feel as tipsy as Santa's elves on a crack cocaine bender.
Moisture in buildings can be caused by leaking pipes, rising damp in basements or ground floors, or rain seeping in because of damage to the roof or around window frames. The most common form of damp is condensation, condensation forms when warm moist air touches a cold internal wall or surface.
Ventilate so the moist air leaves the house – always use the extractor fan when you're cooking, showering or bathing, leave any window vents open, and don't block off any other vents. Make sure air can circulate by leaving gaps between furniture and the wall.
Early detection of the cracks and fissures can prevent interior wall seepage. Grunting can be done to waterproof pipes, cisterns, etc., to prevent leakage of water. Addressing the faulty plumbing conditions. Repairing the cracks and fissures at the earliest with cement or mortar.
Especially in the summer, when humid hot outside air meets the cool air of your basement it can cause condensation which can lead to wet carpet in your basement. Basement condensation can also lead to other nasty symptoms like rusty appliances, mold, and efflorescence.
Sprinkle about a teaspoon of baking soda on the affected area, let it sit for at least 2-3 hours, and then vacuum it up. This will help to absorb moisture and prevent mold growth. Apply a mold inhibitor: Several mold inhibitors available on the market can be applied to the carpet to prevent mold growth.
Musty, Moldy Odor
A pungent, musty odor is a telltale sign of mold growth. If you have a musty odor that persists even after airing out your room, chances are that it is coming from your carpet.
There are actually many recommendations when it comes to DIY mold-killing agents, and some work better than others. We recommend using: Baking soda on light mold problems. Sprinkle some on the moldy spot, leave overnight, then vacuum up in the morning.