Carpet Backings and Mold Damage in Brooklyn Properties
12/7/2024 (Permalink)
Long-Term Mold Restoration Solutions for Brooklyn Property
People love the variety Brooklyn properties offer - from Brownstones to Townhouses making up unique neighborhoods such as Park Slope and Carroll Gardens. In areas like Dumbo, Bushwick, and Gowanus, you can find adaptive reuse projects where factories and warehouses are made into outstanding lofts, while in Downtown Brooklyn and Williamsburg, it's luxury high rises with notable glass and steel exteriors. Whatever your residence type, mold can be a constant bother that denies you the comfort and satisfaction of occupying such a property.
Several factors contribute to mold damage in Brooklyn properties, especially if there is water damage from a leak or flooding incident. Resolving the moisture spike is essential in defeating mold, but sometimes, you must also address other issues that encourage mold contamination. One of the things our SERVPRO® microbial remediation technicians look at is the kind of carpets lining your floors.
Why Carpet Backings Matter
Carpet backing is on the underside and rarely exposed until the carpet is peeled back and lifted off the surface. Such concealment is excellent for mold development, which thrives in dark, moist spaces. If the backing material is conducive to mold development, the contamination can grow more severe.
Carpet Backings Options
- Jute
- Polypropylene
- Latex
- Vinyl
Jute and polypropylene are the typical options because of benefits like flexibility and retaining shape under stress from foot traffic and heavy objects. However, regarding mold development, they are pretty different since jute is subject to mold damage, while polypropylene is not a good host for mold. The other difference has to do with time since new carpets are rarely produced with jute backing. Such backings are more likely in older properties such as The Dakota Arms, The Berkeley Plaza, and The Mansion House.
Defeating the Mold Developing in Carpet Backings
Cleaning carpets when mold develops helps remove the colonies. However, several other steps may be necessary for absolute control. Our SERVPRO professionals apply mold inhibitors on carpet undersides during regular water damage restoration to prevent mold from developing. Products like Concrobium are great for preventing future mold growth. Appropriate moisture control steps are necessary since a moist environment promotes mold growth. Our technicians can remove the carpet or use in-place drying methods such as floating, whereby warm, dry air is circulated beneath the carpet, removing any moisture left on the backing.
SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn is Here to Help® in case of any mold damage incident. Call us today!