South Boston, VA on May 28, 2012

Damp carpet.

Does anyone know what could be causing dampness in wall to wall carpeting? Just noticed that the carpet in our unused guest bedroom is all damp! Windows are open so there is ventilation. It is not just near the windows, but the entire room, so not from rain, I am puzzled!

10 Comments

KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

Plumbing leaks?...foundation leak and or/ watering the lawn?

on May 28, 2012 · Like 0
HandyANDY Home Renovation... Marietta, GA

Is this first floor or basement? Check exterior gutter drains and foundation drains for blockage...that would be my first bet.

on May 28, 2012 · Like 0
Eulalia South Boston, VA

Had the home builder come and check. He went. into the crawl space under the house. Saw no leaks, no leaks in the bathroom that's next to the room. He was baffled. Put a dehumidifier in there and so far it seems to be working.

on May 28, 2012 · Like 0
Kelly F Freeport, PA

Too much insulation in a house can cause moisture to collect in the walls- beware of black mold. Go into the ATTIC and look for black mold above the bedroom that is drawing damp.

on May 29, 2012 · Like 0
Jeanette S Atlanta, GA

Did he check to make sure the bathroom vent is not stopped up with something? And are you insisting that the bathroom vent is used when people shower. Remember, as kids mature, their showers get longer and longer so you may suddenly be experiencing more steam!

on May 30, 2012 · Like 0
Eulalia South Boston, VA

Yes Jeanette, as the mother of 5 grown children I know exactly what you mean! Everything checked out ok, we put a dehumidifier in the room and it seems better now. The only thing that I can think of is, I used that carpet fresh stuff on the rug the night before and the next morning when I went to vacuum up is when I noticed the dampness. So now I wonder because it was so hot and humid if maybe the powder actually broke down and became damp? I know it's a stretch but can't think of any ...»
other reason this would happen in just the one room, and it was the only room that I didn't have time to vacuum that night.

on May 31, 2012 · Like 0
KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

That powder can act as a sponge to draw moisture from the air. I have never been a fan of "soiling" a carpet with some additional powders and agents in an attempt to get the cleaner.
As far as carpet cleaning goes I tend to rely on liquid extraction methods. With plenty of rinsing. Keep in ind that when "soap" are used they tend to attract dirt ( this is based on the chemical polar / non-polar structure of the soap molecules) failing to rid the area of soap is worse ...»
than not using it soap in the first place. Most carpet soiling is just plain dirt and not "oily" by nature. Soaps target oil based soiling.

on May 31, 2012 · Like 1
Katrina R Brockport, NY

KMS I moved into a ranch that is on a cement slab. The carpets smelled of cat urine from previous owners. I am currently ripping up the carpet in the bathroom since I had some leaks. Unfortunately it was all glued down and is a royal pain to try and get up. Now I'm thinking that the rest of the house probably has the same problem, and I'm not looking forward to getting it up. Funds will not allow me to do it any time soon anyhow, so what should I use to shampoo the carpet to get rid of the cat smell?

on Jun 13, 2012 · Like 0
Jeanette S Atlanta, GA

Odoban is the best odor remover I have ever found. If you cannot find it at WalMart, you can order it online. If you need a large quantity...which you probably will to clean carpet...you may want to order online. Mix it with warm water in your steamer and clean. I had my carpet steam cleaned once and they did not get out the moisture well enough and the carpet soured! I just about could not sleep in my BR! I just continued ot spray lightly with Odoban and odor went away. I was ...»
about to replace the carpet. Tip: Once carpet does come up, do not forget to seal the concrete underneath before putting in new carpet. We used oil base Kltz.

on Jun 14, 2012 · Like 0
KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

Katrina ...Carpet in a bath? Good riddance...Ripping out the carpet is pretty cheap...its the replacement tile wood, or what ever that carries the higher cost...If it were me I would yank the smelly carpet, scrap off the glue residue and toss down some paint until I could swing the cost of tile.

on Jun 14, 2012 · Like 0

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