Understanding and Addressing
the Issue of Wet Carpets

Maintaining a dry and cosy home is a priority for every homeowner. When you start to sense moisture or detect a damp odor emanating from your carpet, it’s time to take action.

However, addressing wet carpet issues can be challenging if you’re unsure about the root causes and effective solutions. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore various reasons behind damp carpets and the steps to resolve these problems permanently.

Common Causes of Carpet Dampness

The simplest explanation for wet carpets is the presence of excess moisture within them. However, it’s important to distinguish between occasional spills or rainwater runoff and persistent dampness, which poses a more significant concern.

Persistent dampness often falls under two main categories:

  • Rising Damp:
    • Rising damp occurs when moisture infiltrates a property’s walls and construction materials through capillary action.
    • Typically, rising damp indicates a failure or absence of the damp-proof course (DPC), which acts as the primary defense against rising damp.
    • Signs of rising damp often manifest as dampness at the base of walls, rising to a maximum height of approximately one meter from the ground.
    • In some cases, rising damp can go unnoticed, as furniture or skirting boards may conceal wall dampness, while the carpet absorbs moisture, especially near walls.

To effectively address rising damp, consult a rising damp specialist to install or replace the DPC before considering carpet replacement or cleaning.

Resolving the
Damp Carpet Problem

  • Rising Damp:
    • Rising damp occurs when moisture infiltrates a property’s walls and construction materials through capillary action.
    • Typically, rising damp indicates a failure or absence of the damp-proof course (DPC), which acts as the primary defense against rising damp.
    • Signs of rising damp often manifest as dampness at the base of walls, rising to a maximum height of approximately one meter from the ground.
    • In some cases, rising damp can go unnoticed, as furniture or skirting boards may conceal wall dampness, while the carpet absorbs moisture, especially near walls.
    • To effectively address rising damp, consult a rising damp specialist to install or replace the DPC before considering carpet replacement or cleaning.
  • Penetrating Damp:
    • Penetrating damp occurs when structural defects in a property allow water ingress, affecting various areas, including walls, roofs, windows, and even the floor.
    • For instance, in multi-story homes with carpeted first-floor rooms, penetrating damp in the flooring can lead to a damp carpet.
    • Consider the scenario where malfunctioning or clogged guttering causes water overflow, saturating the adjacent masonry and compromising the wall’s integrity.
    • Over time, this penetrating damp can spread, affecting baseboards, walls, and even the cavity beneath the ceiling and the carpet above.
    • To combat penetrating damp, enlist the expertise of a property care expert who can rectify the root cause, as simply replacing or cleaning the carpet won’t prevent damp recurrence.

If you’ve observed dampness in your carpet and seek professional guidance in identifying the source and rectifying the issue, don’t hesitate to contact our team of Water Extraction specialists. Reach out to us at 1800 853 094 or connect with us online, and we’ll assist you in restoring your carpets to their optimal condition while safeguarding your property from further water damage.

Understanding the causes of damp carpets and taking appropriate action is essential to maintain a comfortable and moisture-free home environment.