Cleaning Carpet

[wa_ssv197]

I just adopted a 1987 Gastron ss197 and am looking to clean the carpet rather the replace it (if I can avoid it). The problem is that the cover was torn in a winter strom and the carpet has moss, mold, etc. growing on it. I am affraid to blast with a pressure washer because I don't want to tear the carpet. I tried carpet shampoo with a hand held carptet cleaner, got the carpet clean but the moss,mold, etc.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: Cleaning Carpet

I would be afraid that there is rotten wood under the mold and moss....

 

[donnyskz1]

Re: Cleaning Carpet

try some spot carpet cleaner with scrub brush. Make sure you dont have any soft spots in the floor especially if the boat was kept outside.

 

[zach103]

Re: Cleaning Carpet

yah i would rip it up and check the deck.. if you have all that on it and it ripped during winter snow definitely got in there.. i would be surprised if the deck is solid.. if it is your lucky and you get a nice new carpet

 

[wa_ssv197]

Re: Cleaning Carpet

The floor is suprisingly solid. I guess I will just have to put some elbow grease into it and see how it ends up. Last resort will be replacing the carpet.

Thanks all.

 

[Biggems]

Re: Cleaning Carpet

If your deck is solid, then you are lucky. But I would still tear up the carpet. Moss and plants of the sort require alot of moisture to grow. So it's safe to say that there is alot of moisture under your carpet. If your deck isn't rotted yet, it will be if that moisture stays there.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Cleaning Carpet

Mold and mildew are killed by sunlight. You do not need to pull up carpet that is otherwise in decent condition. Pull the boat outside, raise the tongue high enough so water drains to the bilge and out the back. Do not use a pressure washer. Mix any good detergent and warm water. Scrub the carpet with a stiff brush and rinse it thoroughly. Leave it out in the sun to dry. Boats that remain covered and wet develop mold. Keep the boat dry and mold is not a problem.. Keep the boat sealed too tight however and condensation can be a problem.

 

[Biggems]

Re: Cleaning Carpet

Silvertip is right, leave it in the sun to dry, and it will kill any moss or mildew that the sun makes contact with. Once it's all dead, scrub as he suggests. My concern is what may be under the carpet. As stated, sunlight kills moss and mildew so it tends to grow where sunlight can't reach.

Find a piece of deck/carpet that seams to be the worst and cut a small square out. If there is nothing in between the carpet and deck then you should be fine. Then just glue the carpet square back down.