One of the biggest headaches you might face as a homeowner is finding a mold outbreak somewhere in your house. Often appearing in the aftermath of a flood or plumbing leak, mold growth can occur where you least expect it, including the carpet.
Where Does Mold Like to Grow?
Mold has plenty of potential hiding places, especially after your home has experienced water damage. A mold colony can start growing within just 24 to 48 hours of water getting in, so it’s imperative to dry your home promptly and thoroughly.
Mold needs a few things to grow and thrive. Moisture is the first ingredient, which can be as obvious as floodwater or as seemingly innocent as high humidity. Then, mold needs a food source. Any organic, cellulose-based material will do. Mold also prefers to grow in dark places with warm temperatures.
With these factors in mind, here are the types of places mold likes to grow:
- Water-damaged carpet fibers and padding
- Bathtubs and showers
- Portable humidifiers
- Areas under the sink with slow water leaks
- Windowsills where condensation drips down from the glass
- Damp drywall, upholstery, wood, or cardboard
- Wet insulation
Is Black Mold Growing on the Carpet?
Toxic black mold, or Stachybotrys, is the most dreaded type of mold among homeowners. Exposure can cause nausea, fatigue, breathing problems, lung hemorrhaging, mental impairment, and other serious symptoms. No wonder you’re worried about finding black mold on your carpet!
Black mold is greenish-black in color and may have a slimy or powdery consistency. Some preferred food sources include drywall, paper, and other materials high in cellulose and low in nitrogen. Black mold can certainly grow on carpet, but you are unlikely to detect the mold just by looking for it.
First, consider whether you had a recent water event in your home, something that saturated the carpet. Did you call a professional to clean and dry your home? If not, chances are moisture lingered in the carpet, even after your efforts to soak up the water and air out the space.
Get down on your hands and knees and smell the carpet in question. A musty odor is a sure sign of mold growth, whether it’s black mold or another strain. To find out for sure, you’ll need to rip up the carpet, starting in a corner of the room. If you find mold growing on the carpet fibers, backing, or padding, you’ll need to replace them because it’s impossible to remove mold from these materials.
Schedule Mold Remediation
Do you suspect black mold on your carpet? Living in a moldy environment could cause short- and long-term health problems, so don’t put off mold remediation! DKI will send trained technicians to your home to remove existing mold and help you take steps to prevent future mold outbreaks. If you still have questions or want to request services in your area, please call our mold remediation company at 877-533-0210 or contact us online today.