Should You Really Put Carpet There?

With so much now known about the negative effects of mold in the home, we likely want to take all the preventative measures we can to stop its growth. However, some choices we make could encourage mold. One of those choices is where we decide to install carpeting.

Did you know that mold can be growing in a carpet long before it is noticeable? With this in mind, you would not want to install carpeting in areas prone to humidity and moisture intrusion, as they are much more likely to develop mold – these areas would include bathrooms and a damp basement.

But what if you already have carpeting in these areas? Could they have mold? The best way to find out is by lifting a section of the carpet and checking the underside of it. Inspect the undercarpet padding as well, as this is a high-risk area.

If you discover mold in your carpets, what should you do? This will depend on the size of the area affected. A small, recently developed patch of mold can generally be taken care of with a good cleaning. If the mold is covering a large area or the carpet has been in a flood and wet for longer than 24 hours, you should consider replacing the carpet altogether. It may present too much of a hazard, and you would not want to risk your household health and well-being.