There are no words to explain the importance of a carpet. From improving your indoor appearance to enhancing comfort, providing warmth, and preventing slides and falls, carpets are more vital than many think.
Unfortunately, all these benefits end when a carpet is damaged by water. At this point, a carpet ceases to be an all-good home feature and becomes a breeding zone for deadly fungi and bacteria. Once this happens, the health of everyone in your household will be at risk of deadly health issues like respiratory and allergic issues.
That said, it’s imperative to have your wet carpet cleaned professionally to prevent mold and mildew growth. Also, professional cleaners are trained and experienced in restoring your carpet’s glory since they use high-tech tools to dry the carpet and prevent browning.
Browning is the darkening of carpet fiber tips after drying that interferes with the carpet’s integrity. If you’re among many who don’t know much about this issue, read more about browning here.
If your carpet has experienced water damage and has yet to be dried, continue reading to learn the health hazards you might face.
- Allergic Reactions
Among the common health hazards that result from wet carpets is allergic reactions. Moisture encourages mold and mildew growth which then cause allergic reactions once inhaled. At this point, the nasal passage and the mucous membrane begin to swell, leading to regular coughing and sneezing. A wet carpet can cause breathing difficulty and eye irritation in severe cases.
Besides sneezing, coughing, and eye rubbing, wet carpets can also cause allergic reactions to your skin since mold and mildew from a wet carpet can circulate to the air when the carpet is moved. Once these pores come into direct contact with your skin, they can cause rashes like hives and eczema.
If the carpet stays wet for a while, these cases are bound to worsen. That said, it’s vital for a homeowner to address their wet carpets immediately, especially since the more you get exposed to mold spores, the more severe the allergic reactions can get. Hiring professional carpet cleaners is even more vital if you have small children who are likely to spend most of their time lying on the carpet.
- Respiratory Problems
People with chronic respiratory issues such as tuberculosis, asthma, cystic fibrosis, and emphysema are more at risk of these issues worsening due to exposure to mold spores. Such individuals are more likely to develop lung bronchial contractions due to constant exposure to mold and mildew. After a while, this issue can lead to shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing, or severe asthma attack.
Asthmatic individuals are at even greater risk of experiencing severe respiratory issues from wet carpets since their respiratory system is already compromised. That said, these people can quickly develop fungal infections due to mold exposure compared to those who don’t have chronic respiratory problems. A deadly fungal mass known as aspergilloma can access one’s ears, sinuses, and lungs and cause permanent problems to the airways and lungs.
- Neurological Symptoms
Constant exposure to excess mold and mildew can also cause neurological symptoms. For example, a person exposed to mold spores for a prolonged period might experience unexplained mood changes, excess fatigue, loss of memory, or migraine. If the carpet isn’t attended to and the person continues being exposed to mold and mildew, these symptoms are bound to worsen with time. That said, it’s essential to treat and dry a wet carpet as soon as it gets wet.
How To Prevent Health Risk Stemming From Wet Carpets
The first step towards eradicating health risks from wet carpets is drying them immediately after they get wet. The more you ignore your wet carpet, the more mold and mildew will grow and possibly spread, increasing the likelihood of home dwellers developing the above-explained health issues.
After you’ve determined your carpet is wet, the first thing should do is to weigh your capability of drying it successfully. If you doubt you can handle the issue the way it should, consider hiring professionals. Professional carpet cleaners will not only clean your carpet but will also ensure there’s no chance of mold and mildew growth later. With such services, you’re guaranteed a clean, dry carpet that doesn’t harm your health.
Conclusion
There are many health hazards that result from exposure to wet carpets. Based on how deadly these issues can get, it’s vital to ensure your carpet doesn’t come into contact with water. However, when it does, dry it immediately using the right tools or leave the procedure to professionals experienced in performing a better, thorough job.
