Where moisture and organic refuse are present, there’s mold. Mold can grow anywhere. It grows in soil and on food and plants. It may also find hidden areas of your home to sprout. Molds in rotten wood floors may spread to your carpets. Understanding molds and knowing how to stop outbreaks will keep your home and family safe from their damaging effects. Here’s what you should know. 

What Are Molds? 

Mold is a fungus found where moisture and decay are present. It’s not always bad. For example, mold is used to ripen a favorite food—cheese. However, some molds are health hazards, leading to sneezing, runny noses, dizziness, headaches, and respiratory distress. 

Why Does It Grow in Carpets?

When your carpet gets and stays wet, mold may develop. Even if the top dries, damp underlayers may permit spores to multiply. If your carpet gets wet from leaky roofs or windows or from plumbing leaks and bathroom overflows, rotten wood floors may develop because of excess moisture and decay. 

How to Identify It

Look for signs of mold growth by examining both sides of your carpet. Note discoloration, which may hint at mold or mildew. Odors also point to mold growth.

When your carpet gets wet, dry it completely. Check the padding and flooring beneath it for moisture, and dry them as well. Water-sogged carpets may not be salvageable. 

How to Prevent It

Install a dehumidifier, which removes moisture from the air, to prevent mold. High-quality carpets with antimicrobial properties are also beneficial in the fight against molds. When you experience leaks and spills, take up your carpets as soon as possible and move them elsewhere to dry.

Cross Carpet Repair & More of Lexington, KY, provides superior flooring and tile installation services to the community. With more than 30 years of experience, their team of experts repair rotten wood floors and install and repair thresholds and trims. They will also repair pet-damaged floors and carpets. Call their team at (859) 225-3863 to schedule a consultation, or visit their website to learn more about their services.