Every business goes to great lengths to ensure the safety of their patrons. Likewise, it’s important that rental properties (commercial or residential) are maintained so tenants use the property safely. But there is a difference between the two: with business operations, it’s all about appearances. With rental properties, it’s all about habitation. Businesses want to attract the return of good customers, while rental properties want good tenants to stay.
However, both business and rental properties need to stay in good condition. If not, you could be opening your business or property up to more than just clientele. If someone gets hurt or ill because of your property, it might be inviting liability issues. This includes the condition of your carpet. Let’s discuss three ways a dirty carpet might lead to problems.
Bacteria filled Carpet
Your carpets catch more than dust or dirt. Carpets get exposed to anything brought in from outside by footwear, visible or not. Allergens are enough of an issue, but microorganisms and bacteria introduce illness and disease to a weakened immune system. For instance, mycotoxins in a carpet could instigate an asthma attack, or a fresh wound brushing against a dirty carpet could lead to infection, even if it’s bandaged.
Regular professional carpet cleaning by Preferred Carpet Care eliminates the possibility of this happening, since microorganisms, bacteria, and other miscreants (like dust mites) are efficiently removed. Commercial properties also benefit from regular cleaning, the responsibility often negotiated between the renter and the tenant.
California State law does not indicate when a landlord must replace carpet. However, if the carpet somehow affects the health or safety of the tenant – being ripped, moldy or otherwise unsanitary, for instance – it needs to be replaced. Having Preferred Carpet Care routinely clean the carpet is a great way to make sure your carpet stays fresh and clean. In many cases, we can even guide you to help with rips or other carpet compromises. Just be sure that our cleaning is at a convenient time for both you and your tenant.
Liquid Spills on Your Carpet
Your business adheres to the laws – even letting service animals accompany their owners. But some service animals are better-trained than others, and soon your carpet meets pet urine. Or maybe your last tenant fixed the gas leak on his motorbike in the living room before you kicked him out. Or the shop renting your building decided to store bleach in the front display room, next to the knives.
Whatever happened, any spill from a liquid giving off fumes could become a liability and needs to be cleaned before it affects the health of others. Most pet urine, for example, gives off some level of ammonia, which can complicate certain conditions like emphysema, asthma, or other pulmonary diseases. Waiting for it to dry is not enough. Call Preferred Carpet Care to remove the spill from your carpet properly. We might have some pointers to keep any consequences from the spill to a minimum until we arrive.
Rotting Subfloor
Depending on your building, your carpet and padding might be resting on a subfloor, which will be affected by anything that makes it through. After many years of neglected liquid accidents, mold, and heavy use, the integrity of your subfloor might become compromised. This could lead to customers or tenants tripping or – dare we say it – falling through a hole in the floor. To avoid this, keep your carpets professionally cleaned. If spills and stains are not allowed to get as far as your subfloor, they cannot compromise its’ integrity.
Be Proactive!
Keeping your carpets professionally cleaned stops your carpets from becoming a liability issue later. Whether you are letting someone else use your carpet or not, it’s your property. Give us a call or schedule an appointment online to discuss how to protect it. Let Preferred Carpet Care help you keep it clean, so no one tries to take you to the “cleaners” over it.