A flooded carpet is a nightmare for homeowners. A flooded wet carpet is not only notoriously difficult to dry and clean, but it’s also a magnet for bacteria, mold, and mildew. What’s more, flooded carpets stink!
Here’s the good news: a carpet flooded with water isn’t necessarily headed to your trash bin. Here is how to dry carpet after a flood.
Use a wet-and-dry vacuum to remove moisture quickly and easily. For large carpets, you can use towels to blot the surface.
A water-flooded carpet means flooded furniture. Check for signs of water damage on the base of your furniture, especially on wood furniture.
One of the best ways to dry a flooded floor and carpet is by turning on fans to increase airflow in the room.One of the best ways to dry a flooded floor and carpet is by turning on fans to increase airflow in the room.
Remove the damaged carpet padding and allow the floor underneath to dry before installing new padding.
For fluffy carpets, steam cleaning is the best option. This dries the surface and removes debris from the carpet fibers.
Sprinkle baking soda on the surface of flooded carpets to absorb and remove moisture.
Sanitize other flooded room surfaces using a clean cloth and a general cleaning solution.
When cleaning a flooded, wet carpet, you need to use the right tools. You will need:
You can use a vacuum, towels, or a carpet mop to remove all the moisture from the carpet.
Increase the airflow by turning on your fans and opening your windows. If your AC has a dry setting, you can use it to reduce the moisture level in the room.
Using a dehumidifier is a great way to remove moisture from a flooded carpet. You can buy or rent one from construction stores.
Large and heavy carpets may require steam cleaning to dry fully.
Baking soda absorbs water and removes odors from a flooded carpet.
Contact carpet cleaning experts to assess the damage to your flooded carpet padding. You might need to replace the padding.
Here are some frequently asked questions we hear from our clients:
There are two sources of flooding in your home: internal sources (burst pipes, leaky toilets, etc.) or external sources (strong rains, flash floods, etc.)
First, determine the source of the flood. If the source is internal, turn off your water line. If the source is external, find where the flood entered your home. Next, assess the extent of the damage. Finally, you can call in flood removal experts.
A flood can cause flooded carpets and water damage to your furniture, appliances, and electronics. Severe floods can damage your home’s structural integrity.
Mold can grow 24 to 48 hours after a flood, which is why it is critical to remove flood water from your home as quickly as possible.
After a flood, you should expect water damage in and around your home. Look for water damage on your furniture, floor, doors, windows, and walls.
A flooded carpet is frustrating, but don’t write off your carpet just yet. You can save your carpet if you move quickly. For large and ornate carpets, Carpet To Go can help. Call us today at 425-689-7664 to learn more about our carpet drying services.