Carpet and water are two things that do not mix. Whether you have experienced a flood or discovered a wet spot, calling a professional water damage specialist and carpet cleaner is a must. Water on carpet is unforgiving and can result in a slew of issues ranging from damaged subflooring to mold and mildew.
Table of Contents
Can My Wet Carpet Be Saved After a Flood?
Your carpet has a good chance of being saved if you act fast enough. However, many homeowners will not discover wet carpet until long after that crucial time window has passed. Moisture left trapped under your carpet can ruin the padding of your carpet—and once this happens, it is impossible to save it.
Regardless, you should act as soon as you notice your carpet flooded.
7 Steps to Clean Wet Carpet After a Flood
The faster you act, the better chances you have at saving your carpet. Below are our seven tips for cleaning wet carpet.
-
Assess the Type of Flood Damage
Do your best to determine what type of flood damage your carpet experienced. Carpets can be damaged as a result of a broken sump pump, a burst pipe, or elemental flooding such as a rainstorm. If you have identified the water source but cannot turn it off, call your local authorities.
-
Consider Calling a Pro for Carpet Cleaning
If you have severe water damage that has seeped into the padding of your carpet, consider a professional. An expert from Cleanup & Total Restoration will use powerful cleaning and drying equipment to target deep stains, odors, and moisture. Learn more about our Carpet Cleaning services in Southern Idaho.
-
Remove the Water
Your goal is to remove as much water from the affected area. Remove as much water as you can to avoid any sagging or buckling. To do this, use a wet-dry vacuum or pump. Wet-dry vacuums suck up solid dirt, debris, and liquid lingering on your floor and carpet.
-
Dry the Room
After you have removed as much water as possible, you should get some fresh air circulating through the area. If the weather is decent and the humidity is low, you should open your windows and doors. Run your air conditioner, turn on any fans, and use a dehumidifier.
-
Dry the Carpet
The sooner you dry your carpet, the easier it will be to save. Remove your carpet from the subfloor by pulling it off the tack strip. Throw away the padding and leave the carpet in a well-circulated area to dry.
-
Replace Carpet Padding
More often than not, you will have to replace your carpet’s padding. Carpet padding is like a sponge and the more water it absorbs, the more likely it will breed mold.
-
Clean and Deodorize
The last step to complete is to clean and deodorize the area. Cleanup & Total Restoration professionals will be able to use special equipment to inspect and determine any remaining moisture pockets containing mold and mildew.
Read More: How to Fix Water Damage on Laminate Flooring
When Should You Hire a Carpet Cleaning Pro After a Flood?
Calling a professional to handle your carpet cleaning is always smart. Even though carpet cleaning can be performed by homeowners, there are certain steps and equipment needed to ensure a fully-cleaned area. For example, hidden moisture spots may go unnoticed by the untrained eye. Keep your household clean and healthy by contacting the Cleanup & Total Restoration specialists.
Call the Idaho Carpet Cleaning Experts
Contacting Idaho’s favorite carpet cleaning experts can save you time and money. For over 25 years, Cleanup & Total Restoration has been providing emergency cleanup and flood damage restoration services to the Southern Idaho area. Restore your home to its pre-loss condition and contact our team today.
