Water leak (mold and mildew) help I need ideas.

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we had a busted valve under our bathroom sink.  It was repaired but lots of water leaked out.  We have replaced dried out and replaced the cabinet underneath but the water went onto the carlet in our closet and now our closet has an Odor of mildew.  We are renting and the maintenance people are handling it but what is the ic safest solution for me to ask them to do regarding the carpet?   I don't want to cause myself a flare but the smell needs to go and mildew is not healthy in my home  

 

deir's picture
deir

Oh boy- So you need the carpet replaced? Is there a wood floor underneath? If so, I'd insist they do nothing. I'd prob say that anyway. Then find a small wool area rug if need or ust leave it without the rug. Do you have a de-humidifier?- sometimes that can take care of the mildew if it is minor.

atraylor's picture
atraylor

No wood floor underneath :(. Just concrete.  

Claire's picture
Claire

I second the dehumidifier solution. Also, I haven't looked into it, but I'd check online for natural ways to remove mildew - like white vinegar and then blow drying the carpet.  (Honestly, I'm making that up, but just trying to think of alternatives to new carpeting.)  If it's just in the closet, I'd just rip it up and have concrete floors in the closet space. 

 

Last appt. Matia and I had a chat about the difference between some mildew in the bathroom and black mold in the walls of a house.  She was clear that our immune systems can deal with mildew, it's long term exposure to the really nasty molds that do us harm. 

 

I guess I'm just trying to say that there's no need to panic and that there are solutions - though I would try my best not to have my landlord put in new carpeting while I was living in a rental unit.

atraylor's picture
atraylor

you guys are making me feel much better.  thanks.  i was panicked and the smell is awful.  we have the pad taken out from under the carpet and they are blowing a fan under the carpet right now to try to dry it out.  we have turned the heater on the produce drier air and opened the windows to vent out the smell.  i am hoping this does the trick. 

deir's picture
deir

I think it will! You'll be ok!