How to Deal with Water Damaged Carpet

In the wake of a big storm, it's important to know how to deal with water damaged carpet. Unlike having to fix a water damaged ceiling, this job requires better than ordinary do it yourself skills but it's going to be laborious. The key is to act as quickly as possible to prevent mold bloom and growth. In addition, water damaged carpet can also become discolored and/or ruined permanently. Even if the carpet is pre-treated with stain resistance, water damage can easily speed its end of usable life.

How to Deal with Water Damaged Carpet

When water damaged carpet is a factor in an after storm cleanup, it's one of the first orders of business. Some fixtures will fare better than others, such as tile. But hardwood, even laminate, won't tolerate excessive moisture. Carpet being so porous, isn't the only casualty. Underneath, the padding, as well as the tack strips pulling it tight and holding down across the room, will also be affected by water.

Water damage to carpets from flooding or leaks in a home is not uncommon. If you’ve owned a home for several years, you’ve undoubtedly experienced it. You almost certainly will again in the future. When it happens, you’ll need to know when to clean and restore the damaged carpet, how to restore it, and when to replace it. --Do It Yourself.com

In the wake of a large tropical storm system, there are many considerations for homeowners. Flooding on their property and into homes is a common occurrence in such inclement weather. Rain water pools and attracts mosquitoes. When it enters a house, it can short out electrical outlets and cause damage to furniture, like a kitchen table set, couch, or more items. Before you start the cleanup process, be sure to take measures to prevent any more water from entering the home. Then, document everything with pictures for your insurance claim. Then, follow these steps for how to deal with water damaged carpet:

  1. Remove as much water as possible. Start by removing as much water as possible, using a wet-dry shop vacuum. If you don't have one, it can be rented for a small amount of money. Go over the entire room several times to take up as much water as you can to assess the scope of the damage.
  2. Use several fans to speed up drying. If the carpet appears to be salvageable, place several oscillating fans in the space to speed up the drying process. Even if the carpet cannot be saved, do this anyway because it will substantially lessen the weight, making it easier to remove.
  3. Bring a large dehumidifier into the room. Aside from the oscillating fans, place a large dehumidifier in the room to soak up moisture. This will also aid in pulling moisture out of the walls and out of the air. It will also help to impede the growth of mold and mildew.
  4. Remove the carpet and padding underneath. If the carpet cannot be salvaged, you'll have to remove it from the room. Start by pulling up a corner by hand or with pliers. Once you get a hold, pull in a diagonal direction toward the opposite corner. Then, you'll be able to roll the carpet up and pull the padding up, as well.
  5. Disinfect and sanitize the walls and subfloor. You'll probably have to remove the tacking strips running all the floor against the walls. Once the room is empty, disinfect and sanitize the walls and subfloor using a combination of dish cleaner and warm water. You can also use bleach on the subfloor to treat it.

Before you remove the water damaged carpet, phone 800-433-1094 or visit AAA Rousse Services to schedule pick up services. Or, we will happily remove carpet and haul junk away for you.

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