When it comes to home insurance claims in America, the second most popular claim made by homeowners is water damage. There are numerous types of water damage. It can occur as a result of extreme weather conditions such as flooding, snowstorms, burst pipes, or heavy rainfall. Most water damage issues happen in the cold of winter. In some cases, the homeowner causes the damage by leaving taps dripping or running. Regardless of the cause, it is difficult to clean up and often results in carpet odor in carpeted homes.
Why Bad Odor after Water Damage is Dangerous
After experiencing water damage in their home, most people rush to remove everything that was soaked, throwing away damaged items and drying off the remaining ones. After this, you imagine the cleaning operation is complete. However, this is not always the case. With time, a foul smell may develop in the house, signifying that the water accident caused a more serious issue.
If there is a bad odor in your home after water damage, it may mean mildew or mold growth. These fungi grow in damp conditions and spread like wildfire. Your carpet and your flooring can be at risk of total ruin if you do not do something immediately. Even worse, mold and mildew pose a health risk to you and your family.
How to Treat Water Damage
The good news is that you can reverse the damage to your carpet and home. Here are some small steps you can take to minimize the bad smell and improve the air quality in your home:
- Leave all the windows and doors open after a water damage incident. This allows airflow in your home, which helps to remove the musty smell caused by the water damage. It also speeds up the drying process.
- Making use of a dehumidifier can help to prevent the growth of mold and mildew since it removes excess moisture from the air.
- Mix water and vinegar and spritz it around the room and on your carpet to kill bacteria.
These tips can help to make the situation better. However, they alone are not sufficient.
Deodorizing the Carpet
You can use natural deodorizing agents like baking soda, vinegar and essential oils to get the smell out of your carpet. However, keep in mind that this is not a long term solution. This method can only remove the foul smell temporarily and buy you enough time to get the help of carpet cleaning experts.
Calling On a Team of Professionals
If you are looking for a permanent solution to bad odor and fungi elimination after water damage, the best cause of action is to contact reliable carpet cleaning and mold removal experts. At Reilly’s Rug & Carpet Cleaning, we are experts in the business of cleaning carpets, removing mildew and mold, and getting rid of carpet odor for good. We have expertise in cleaning all types of carpets and rugs and are equipped with only the best cleaning agents and tools. You can rest assured that we will restore your carpet and home to its former glory. Call us today!