Health Effects of Waterlogged Carpets

Home and business owners are forced to deal with the aftermath of indoor flooding once an intense storm or plumbing malfunction takes place. These individuals often think they’ve resolved the problem once they’ve soaked up water and washed the affected surfaces, but some indoor materials require extra attention. You should know everything there is to know about indoor carpets and the influence they can have on your overall health.

You can think of interior carpets like giant sponges. During a flooding emergency, these surfaces quickly absorb groundwater, runoff and even sewage, creating the ideal environment for mold and harmful bacteria. The key to keeping friends, family members and guests safe after an indoor flood is to hire water restoration experts who can eliminate the long-term effects of waterlogged carpets.

Wet Carpeting and Airborne Allergies

Carpets within the home and office contain threads, padding and a structural backing. Airing rooms out with fans is not always enough to ventilate materials with multiple layers. Hiring a professional to disinfect your carpets or fully remove and replace damaged sections is the best approach to restoration. Damp conditions and indoor floods create breeding grounds for the following allergenic molds, which can bother the nose, throat and lungs:

  • Cladosporium
  • Fusarium
  • Penicillin

Depending on the severity of the flood, mold growth can occur below the surface of wet carpeting in as little as one day. Select mold species are known to cause symptoms similar to the flu, such as sneezing, runny nose and headaches. Reach out to a professional in your area if you or someone you know experiences these symptoms after setting foot in your building.

Respiratory Effects of Waterlogged Carpets

Damp carpets are bad for your health, especially if you ignore the warning signs that a mold problem is present. It’s common for waterlogged carpets to change color, deteriorate or harden over time if the materials were completely submerged and little was done during the cleanup process to promote airflow. Splotches of mold that appear green, pink or white may pose a threat to nearby individuals’ lungs no matter their age.

For example, mold species of the Mucor family thrive in wet settings and are known to cause breathing complications. Those exposed to strains of Mucor can develop health conditions such as asthma and tuberculosis, which can reduce their quality of life. The effects of contaminated or “dirty” carpets can be quite serious, which is why our professional remediation experts will arrive onsite with masks, gloves and eyewear for safety.

Neurological Health Concerns and Skin Rashes

In severe cases, molds such as Stachybotrys (black mold) can interfere with someone’s ability to focus if they’re near the toxic spores for hours at a time. High levels of exposure have been known to create symptoms of confusion, mood swings and depression. Select mold species that develop as a result of water damage in carpeting can even irritate the skin, leaving behind visible rashes and hives if a person is allergic.

Affordable Water Restoration Services in Chicago

Own a home or run a business near Chicago? ServiceMaster of Lincoln Park serves customers in the state of Illinois with 24/7 emergency water restoration and mold remediation services. From storm runoff to sewage backups, we’re your go-to source for timely solutions that help you keep your residential or commercial space clean long-term.

If you’re experiencing a flooding emergency, call us at (773) 346-6767 to take control of your property as quickly as possible.

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