How to Get Rid of Carpet Odor from Water Damage

7/29/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of The East End will have your carpets smelling fresh as clean to remove those musty smells from water damage.

Whether your home is completely covered in wall-to-wall carpeting, or you have opted just to carpet specific rooms in your house such as the bedrooms or the playroom, keeping those carpets clean and odor-free can sometimes be a challenge. Especially if you’ve suffered any kind of water damage.

Even the slightest bit of water can transform your once pristine, odor-less carpet into a hotbed of musty smells reminiscent of a high school locker room.

Following are a few conditions that may cause odors along with some useful information on how to eliminate those odors.

It Doesn't Take a Flood to Cause Carpet Odor

If you have ever experienced water damage, you know how important it is to contact water damage remediation professionals like SERVPRO of The East End quickly! With our training, expertise and equipment, we can quickly remove the water and moisture from the air, as well as start drying any carpets and rugs that may have gotten soaked. After 24-48 hours, water damage may become worse as mold begins to grow and destroy the drywall, carpets, framing, furniture, clothes, and beyond. This kind of mold damage is the worst-case scenario and will usually result in the carpeting needing to be replaced. 

In scenarios where your carpeting has a musty odor, there may be a chance of getting rid of the smell and saving your carpets from further damage. Unlike the scene above where the carpeting is completely flooded and soaked, in most situations with carpet odor, there isn't any visible water damage. There isn't water dripping down a wall or a wet carpet or a drip from the ceiling pooling on your carpet. Sometimes the carpet odor may be caused by someone spilling a cup of water or moisture from the basement floor underneath the rug. Even forgetting to hang up your bath mat after taking a bath can lead to a musty carpet odor from the bath mat. 

Why Does My Carpet Smell?

If you're paying attention, you may have noticed a constant in each of the scenarios we've discussed above. The constant is water whether it's from a dripping towel, a spilled cup, or condensation dripping off a water pipe. If your carpets get wet and are not dried quickly, they may start to smell. Going back to the bathroom, think about a damp towel. If you throw the damp towel into a pile on the ground, it may become musty after a day or two. But if you hang it up to dry, it will usually be fine the next time you use it. 

The same goes for your carpet. If the water and moisture in the carpet are not able to evaporate quickly and dry out, then it may become musty and smelly. The musty smell from your carpet is a strong indicator that mold or mildew is growing within it. If it is not treated, it can lead to premature decay and deterioration of your carpet and sub floor.

How Do I Get Rid of the Odor and the Causes of It?

If you smell an odor coming from a carpet, you can take a few steps to get rid of the odor. The first step is to absorb any excess water with a cloth or paper towel. Then open the windows or doors around the carpet to get fresh air circulating. You can then take some baking soda and apply it to the smelly area. The baking soda absorbs odors and is usually harmless to carpets. Vacuum up the baking soda after letting it sit for a day. 

If the odor persists, you can try a mixture of water and vinegar to try to eliminate the odor. Start with a mixture of one part distilled white vinegar to two parts water. You don't need to saturate the smelly area; you simply need to spray a fine mist over it and let it dry. This technique also works for fabrics like sofas and drapes.

If the Odor Persists, Call the Professionals

Ultimately, the  most effective way to get rid of carpet odors from water and mold damage is to contact SERVPRO of The East End. We have the tools, the technicians and the equipment to extract the water, dehumidify the air, and remove the odors from your carpet, carpet pads, sub floors, drywall, and framing. If you've tried everything to get rid of the odors and they keep coming back or are getting worse, you can trust SERVPRO of The East End. We will not only get rid of the odor, but we will find and address the source so that it doesn't happen again. Give us a call for all of your water, mold, and fire damage restoration needs. 631-653-9595. SERVPRO of The East End will also provide a thorough seasonal cleaning of your carpets, upholstery and drapes prior to any damage being done.