How to Prevent Mould Growth Under Your Carpet
Mould thrives in warm areas with high humidity. Now, the carpet on your floor warms the floor and creates a comfortable place for your feet to step. If you don't control moisture levels in the home, the warmth of the carpet and humidity in the air will present ideal breeding grounds for mildew. The worse thing is that mould will not grow on the fibres where you can see it; it will develop on the padding.
Unless you remove the carpet or notice some murky smells in the home, you will remain oblivious of the dangerous spores growing under your mat. Mould can result in severe allergies and respiratory problems; therefore, you need to prevent it by observing these tips.
Install a dehumidifier
During the summer, the temperature rises pretty high, and this results in increased moisture content in the air. The excess humidity can present problems for your carpets and overall indoor environment. Consider using a dehumidifier to regulate moisture in your home. Run the appliance together with the AC so that as the AC cools the air, the dehumidifier sucks out excess moisture. This will not only curb mould growth under your carpet, but it will also significantly improve the quality of air in your home.
Remove wet carpets
How many times have you spilt a little water on the carpet and left it to dry on its own? Spills that are left unattended are the primary cause of mould growth in carpets. The water seeps into the padding and settles there. As you assume that the fibres are dry and all is well, the water plus warmth in the home encourages mould to grow under your carpet. To prevent this, remove wet carpets and hang them to dry properly in the sun. Alternatively, you can use a vacuum to dry the spot and ensure that no moisture is left underneath the mat.
Invest in quality padding
Quality carpet padding can protect the mat from mould growth. If you are on the market for a new one, go for padding that comes with anti-microbial properties. These are usually made from rubber slab, and they can deter mould even in the presence of moisture. However, if installing a new carpet is not an option at the moment, you can consider sealing the subfloors before laying the mat. This is a long-term solution to curbing humidity problems on your flooring.
Poor cleaning methods can also leave moisture in the carpet and encourage mould and mildew. Contact a carpet cleaning company so that they can wash and dry your carpets properly.
