Is it Bad to Breathe in Wet Carpet?

One of the biggest challenges after flooding is drying wet carpet.  It is something you cannot take lightly.  Every time your carpet is professionally cleaned, you expect the service provider to ensure they leave a dry carpet. Water damaged carpets commonly cause allergies and other problems. If you think you can continue to live in a space with wet carpet without any health hazard, you are mistaken. A wet carpet, even with a little bit of moisture can be bad for your respiratory system.

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Find out why it is bad to breathe with a wet carpet around.

Why a Wet Carpet Should be Properly Dried?

When a wet carpet is not properly dried, it develops mould.  When you are exposed to mould and mildew for some time, it can cause allergies, even if you already don’t have them. Moulds will disperse their spores in the air and cause mild to severe allergic reactions. The reaction can cause swelling in the nasal passage, making it difficult for you to breathe.

You can suffer from frequent sneezing. Breathing in such an environment can also cause congestion in the nose, lungs, and throat.

Wet Carpet Sydney & Respiratory Problems

Mould is a kind of fungus that thrives in damp areas. The spores released can cause various respiratory problems, beyond allergic reactions. Some of the other issues include:

  • Asthma
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Tuberculosis

Chest congestion, shortness of breath, and severe asthmatic attack also have the potential to risk your life. Studies also show that spores from moulds have the potential to cause permanent damage to the lungs and airways.

Potential Harm Even After Carpet Dries

Even when the carpet has dried, it can prove to be a health hazard. Drying Carpet should be completed by professionals to ensure thorough and proper removal of moisture, mould, and spores. Mould doesn’t just dissipate when an area becomes dry. It can get airborne and continue to live in the air.

So, the problem doesn’t just stop with dried carpets. You can have contaminated air in your home and such air should not be breathed in. It can especially be a problem for those with breathing problems, allergies, and the elderly and children.

Impact of Damp Indoor Environment on Lungs

According to research, living or working in a damp environment can cause many health problems. This includes:

  • Potential onset of asthma or flare-ups in existing asthma patients
  • Wheezing and/or coughing
  • Cold or flu
  • Developing chest infections
  • Rhinitis, which is the inflammation of the nasal lining
  • Hypersensitivity pneumonitis

The damp conditions created by Wet Carpet Sydney can also cause house dust mites to thrive. These mites are known to cause rhinitis, eczema, asthma symptoms, and other breathing problems. Thus, there are different ways in which wet carpet can cause breathing problems. So, whatever causes your carpet to become wet, it is important to have it professionally dried and cleaned. It is important to remove not just the moisture, but also the spores.

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