How to Take Care of Water Damaged Carpets
We recently talked about different ways to Prevent Water Damage in Your Home. Flooding can still happen, even with proper precautions in place. If it does, there are steps you can take to save and salvage your flooring.
If your home has water damage, whether it’s from a broken pipe, a flooded bathroom, or a malfunctioning appliance, or if it’s from a natural source such as melting snow or excessive rain, you’ll need to take the necessary steps to ensure the life of your flooring. Carpet can be especially needy when it comes to water damage since it’s not as easy as wiping up a spill.
Additionally, mold and mildew can begin to grow in as little as 12 hours depending on the nature of the damage! If your carpet has recently experienced water damage, take these steps in order to save both the carpet and your wallet.
Do you have water damaged LVP floors? Check out this post where we covered How to Replace Water Damaged LVP.
How to Treat Water Damaged Carpets
1. Dry Wet Carpets FAST
If your carpet suffers water damage, one of the best things you can do to help prevent mold or mildew from growing is to do your best to dry the wet carpet quickly. Towels are great to soak up a spilled drink, but depending on the nature of the damage, you may want to open a window, turn on a fan, or grab your blow dryer! Dehumidifiers can also help. Of course, if there’s a larger amount of water damage (for example, from a leaking appliance or a small flood), you may want to rent a wet-dry vacuum if you don’t already have one. Calling the professionals in never hurts either, especially if there’s significant water damage that you’re unable to dry up quickly and effectively.
2. Don’t Forget to Dry the Padding
Depending on the nature of the water damage, it may be necessary to pull up your carpet to expose the padding underneath to dry it out as well using the drying methods mentioned above. If you need to do this but aren’t sure how, watch this quick instructional Youtube video on How to Peel Back Carpet.
3. Deodorize the Carpets
If left unattended, water-damaged materials will begin to develop a musty smell rather quickly. Dry out your carpet as best as you can using a fan or wet-dry vacuum, and when it’s still slightly damp, use a live-enzyme cleaner, which can be found online or at any local retail store. If you purchase a cleaner, follow the directions on the package.
If a store-bought solution isn’t an option, you can also make your own cleaner by mixing equal parts hydrogen peroxide (3% hydrogen peroxide is preferable here) and water. Dab the area of the carpet you wish to deodorize using a sponge. This also helps draw out any mold or mildew. After 30 minutes, repeat this step. Sprinkle baking soda on the area, let it sit for a few minutes, and then vacuum it up. If there’s still an odor, you can blot the area using white vinegar, which absorbs odors.
4. Sanitize Your Floors
Depending on the kind of water that’s done the damage, sanitization may be necessary. (Toilet water, for example – even if it was clean, you may just want to sanitize for peace of mind!) Steam-cleaning is a great way to sanitize both padding and carpet, and these machines can be rented from some retail stores (Walmart, for example) or other local cleaning services. You can also hire a professional to do this for you. You may also need or want to consider sanitizing the surrounding walls and baseboards, again, depending on the type of fluid that caused the damage and how far it may have reached.
Find Water Damage Restoration Services
If this seems like a LOT of work, it’s because it is. Water damage restoration is serious business, and it needs to be done right in order to prevent mold and mildew growth. Elite Restoration offers comprehensive water damage restoration services. No matter what kind of flooding you’re dealing with, we can help get your home back into clean and safe condition!
We hope you found these tips helpful in repairing your water-damaged carpet. If you have any questions or feel further assistance may be necessary, please don’t hesitate to contact your local Elite Restoration office. We’re happy to help!