Tile vs. Wood vs. Carpet Floor – Which is Better Against Mold?
Mold is a common problem in houses. Mold requires moisture and humidity to form, and is most likely to occur in bathrooms and basements. But if you live in flood prone areas, you might need to be wary of mold for the whole house. Water damage that isn’t properly cleaned could also lead to the formation of mold.
When moisture lingers, mold spores begin to form within 48-72 hours and then spread to other parts of the house just as quickly. The problem is, mold can eat away at your floors, leaving you with costly repairs. Therefore, you should spend some time deciding on the flooring type that is most resistant to mold.
This guide will conduct a comparison between tile, wood and carpet flooring and how they hold against mold.
Tile Flooring
Tiles are commonly used in bathrooms and areas that are generally susceptible to getting wet. They are also a great option for wet areas because they are relatively resistant to mold. There are so many varieties of tiles, so you can easily create the look that you had in mind for your bathroom, kitchen or basement.
Tiles are super easy to clean. After you take a shower, or there is a water spill, you just need a mop to get rid of the water. This leaves no room for moisture to linger and for mold to form.
However, this doesn’t mean that mold can’t form on tiles. Moisture often seeps into the crevices between tiles, where grout is used. Mold can start to form on grout, as grout is extremely porous. You will need a high quality grout sealant to curb this problem.
How to Get Rid of Mold on Tile?
The good news is, you can clean mold off tiles if you spot it in due time. Use a bleach and water solution with 10% bleach and 90% water. Use this to wipe off the mold. Since tile is durable, you won’t have to worry about ruining it with bleach.
Wood Flooring
Mold feeds on organic materials, and unfortunately, wood falls in that category. Although you should ensure no moisture lingering on your wooden floors, this is always a possibility, especially after water damage from floods, pipe bursts, and roof leaks. Water damage doesn’t even have to be too severe for mold to grow, so hardwood floors are highly susceptible to mold growth.
To prevent mold from forming under your wood floors, you should avoid walking across a wooden floor when you’re wet from a shower or the pool. Keep your pet’s water bowls away from the hardwood floors and preferable avoid using wood for kitchens and bathrooms that are prone to getting wet.
Mold will appear as a stain on the wood floor, and lead to discoloration below the surface. Mold can prove detrimental for wood and cause it to rot or warp.
How to Get Rid of Mold on Wood?
You might be able to save your wooden floors from mold if the damage isn’t that severe. You should contact a water damage restoration company if your wooden floors suffer water and mold damage. If you spot mold on your wood floors, open the windows and use a diluted water and vinegar solution to gently scrub the floors. Use a fan or drier to completely dry the wooden floors afterwards.
Carpet Flooring
When carpets get wet, it takes time for them to dry. After your home has suffered water damage, you need to make sure your carpet flooring has been dried to a tee. The thing is, while the major part of the surface may be dry, moisture can get trapped in the dense fibers and weaves of the carpet. This moisture it will lead to mold growth within a day!
Carpet flooring is extremely susceptible to mold because it traps moisture really well, providing the perfect breeding ground for mold spores to form. There are many parts of the house where you may not even notice that the carpet is wet, for example, carpet under the furniture that retained moisture from an AC leak or basement flood. If left unattended, mold will quickly begin to form, especially under the carpet, which will lead to a musty odor in the house.
Mold under the carpet will trigger allergies and generally create an unhealthy atmosphere in the house. Carpet flooring can be saved from mold if the damage isn’t too severe. Otherwise, it will need to be replaced. If mold forms beneath the carpet, it will eat away the floor beneath, causing extensive damage.
How to Get Rid of Mold on Carpet?
Make sure you dry and dehumidify carpets to remove all the moisture. Then sprinkle some baking soda and let it sit overnight to remove any odor and moisture. Then use diluted white vinegar to scrub mold off the affected areas. Make sure you dry the carpet after this step to prevent further mold growth.
Which Flooring is Better Against Mold Damage?
When you compare the three floor types, the order in which they stand from most to least resistant against mold is as follows:
- Tile flooring
- Wood flooring
- Carpet flooring
If your floor has suffered mold damage, you should avail professional mold removal and remediation services.
911 Restoration of East Dallas
If your home has fallen prey to water damage in East Dallas, you should contact 911 Restoration of East Dallas. They will not only take care of water damage restoration but mold removal and remediation as well. Timely action can help save your flooring from mold and prevent costly repairs and replacements.
