How to Prevent Water Damage Stains

The Post How to Prevent Water Damage Stains was originally posted at Friendly Cleaning Services

We all get affected by procrastination once in awhile whether its from our own action or lack of action. If you are affected by a water damage issue, please for your own sake don't risk your home's value or safety by putting it off. I did a carpet cleaning job this week that the family put off calling me to dry out their home after a rather small issue from a washing machine that was on the main level of their home. The water ran into the main hallway which left a really dark brown water stain right in the middle of the hall. Now yes the spot in itself is bad since they are trying to sell their home. It may take more then one trip out to get it completely taken care of but that is really the lesser issue here. They risked having slip and fall issues from walking from wet carpet to the hardwood floors in their kitchen. They also risked another potential issue, that being mold growth. It doesn't take long for mold to grow after a water incident.

"Many researchers say mold will start to grow in the first 24 to 48 hours after a leak, under ideal conditions. Carpets get moldy very quickly. Older carpets that have dirt as a food source start smelling moldy after being wet just a short time. It may be a week or two before it grows to the extent that it is visible to the naked eye as spots on drywall or carpet pads." From the post How to fix wet walls, mold, and other damage caused by winter.

To prevent water staining and potential mold growth, the affected area needs to be dried out quickly and properly. From www.nachi.org:

"Carpet exposed to standing water will quickly be ruined.  If standing water ever occurs because of a leak or a spill, all carpeting exposed must be immediately cleaned and dried.  The top and bottom surfaces of the carpet, any padding, and the floor underneath must be cleaned and completely dried within a short period of time after exposure to standing water if the carpet is to be saved.  If a large flood has occurred, or if standing water has been present for any extended period of time, the carpet will probably need to be replaced." Read the full article here

We all are busy but please don't put off calling to get water damage issues addressed. It can really come back to haunt you in the long run. Check out the video below on how to avoid water damage stains.