There
are many problems associated with water leakage and flooding problems
but one that is sometimes overlooked is the problem of a wet carpet. Leaving a wet carpet
can lead to all kinds of problems which include fiber deterioration,
decay of organic matter and mold, if your carpet is wet, smells and is
stained then you have a problem that needs to be dealt with quickly.
Organic decay is a problem that is common with wet carpeting
that has been left unattended for a period of time. Organic decay is
what happens to all the accumulated detritus and debris that is in the
carpet fibers, and when this material starts to decay it gives off gases
which you will be able to notice from the pugnacious odor, and this
smell will be worse if the water was contaminated in the first place.
The
longer period of time that water is in contact with the carpet the more
chance your carpet has of becoming damaged, especially the carpet
fibers themselves. Once the fibers have become damaged enough then it
really is game over for your carpet and it will need to be replaced with
a new one.
Another
problem that you will need to address is the one of the carpet padding
underneath, this is usually made from foam, and will of course soak up
water like the proverbial sponge. Not only that but if your carpet has
been glued to the floor then you may find that the water penetration
will cause the carpet to become loose, causing movement and bulging.
A
heavily soiled carpet presents a major headache for anyone attempting
to restore a carpet rather than replace it, and indeed in most cases it
may be prudent to write off the carpet as a total loss and replace it
with a new one.
Of course the biggest problem with a wet carpet
that has been left untreated for any length of time is mold, mold
growth is prevalent wherever there is excess moisture and a good supply
of organic material, so a carpet is a wonderful place for mold spores to
settle and start multiplying. Mold spores are all around us and are
just looking for the right place to settle on that gives them the
perfect breeding ground to start multiplying. In order to avoid all of
these problems then it is crucial that you tackle the problem as soon as
you can.