There are many reasons why a carpet can become smelly, from pet odors to heavy soiling and other causes. However, what some don’t realize is that just a little water intrusion can cause a big problem. Even after the carpet has dried. Smelly carpet ODORS!!
Many times, clients call us because there is a strange, musty odor in their home and they can’t figure out where it is coming from. And in most cases, it’s from a water leak somewhere in the home that they couldn’t see.
Water intrusions can be from many sources. If it is from a toilet (raw sewage), it’s almost always best to call a water damage professional. You should discard the carpet and pad and get something new. While doing that, be sure the subfloor is also cleaned and disinfected appropriately, and sealed if necessary. Any affected drywall should be removed and replaced. If it is from an overflowing sink or a leaky pipe, the damage can usually be limited. Purchasing new flooring isn’t always necessary. Our water damage professionals can determine what can be restored and what needs to be replaced.
But one of the biggest problems is waiting too long no matter the cause of the water damage in your home.
The problem with wet rugs
When you discover a wet carpet or rug, it’s time to get to work. Remove the water with extraction, and get some air movement and ventilation started on removing moisture. Or you are going to have smelly carpet..
However, here’s the problem. If the carpet isn’t dried really fast, like how professional water damage experts can dry carpet using their specialized tools and equipment, a persistent musty smell can develop. There’s not much a homeowner can do to fix that issue. In the winter months, when humidity is low, you may not notice the odor that much. But when summer arrives, with the higher humidity, those odors will come back with a vengeance.
Many people are afraid of mold growing on the carpet, but almost all of the carpet and pad manufactured for the last 25 years is made of plastic, and plastic can’t mold. Now, the dirt and dead skin cells in the carpet can mold, but this can be easily cleaned out by a professional.
What’s the best solution? Call your water damage restopration professionals right away, before real damage sets it. They’ll be right over to save the day and help you prevent smelly carpet.
