How To Deal with Flooded Carpets
TAGGED IN //   Restoration Tips  
8.31.2017

How To Deal with Flooded Carpets

During floods or water damages, your carpet is at the mercy of water’s waves. It is likely to be the first thing that will be affected once the flood water has entered your home. Because of its vulnerable placement, it is only after the flooding that you will realize your carpet is on the brink of primary and secondary damages.

As we all know, carpets can be very beneficial in one’s home. It is soft to the touch, an additional insulation feature, a useful filter for airborne particulates, and gives the home a very unique character. It is in your best interest to maintain the carpet’s strength and form. In some disastrous situations, however, it may be difficult to keep the carpet safe from harm’s way.

If you have or are facing such a situation, do not worry; there are convenient and inexpensive methods you can implement to save your carpet from further unnecessary damages.

DIY Carpet Drying

DIY Carpet Drying is not recommended in cases where large amounts of water have entered your carpeting or structure. There are, however, some steps you can take to prevent further damage while you are waiting for a professional to arrive. Once you have discovered there is substantial water in or on your carpets or rugs, immediately call an expert to come in and assess the situation for proper drying. Prolonging the presence of moisture in your carpet can promote mold manifestation and weaken its structural integrity.

Towel Dry

In cases where a small amount of water has found itself into your carpeting (perhaps a glass of water was spilled,) place clean white cotton towels on top of the soaked areas of the carpet before proceeding to walk on them. Walk on these towels in one direction back and forth in order to completely saturate the towel. Once the towels have accumulated some liquid, replace them with dry towels and begin the process again. Do this until the area of the carpet is dry.

Carpet Drying with a Vacuum Cleaner

If you feel there is enough water in your carpeting to warrant using a wet vac, you may consider calling in a professional to ensure all of the water is properly removed. Before proceeding with this method, first check to see if your vacuum is made to soak up water. If so, begin vacuuming the affected area. Your vacuum may remove the water from the carpet, but may not be able to remove the liquid that is trapped in the carpet’s padding. Improperly dried structure can be a breeding ground for fungal growth.

Air Dry

Using your fans, blow dryers, and other “drying” machines, will promote evaporation from your carpets. Among the methods featured, this is the simplest and easiest one to follow. Consider, though, that living in the humid South is not an ideal condition for simply air drying a wet area.

Dealing with Wall-to-Wall Carpeting

Depending on the source of the water intrusion, many wall-to-wall carpeting can be saved through proper drying and cleaning. A Water Damage Professional will help you determine the necessary steps to be made to save your carpeting.

Important Reminders: Should your Oriental or area rug become wet from water intrusion, please call a professional. Fugitive dyes can usually be corrected when dealt with in a timely manner and by a professional team.

If the situation you are facing is impossible to complete through do-it-yourself methods, then dial: 919-289-8424 and we, at Pettyjohn’s Carpet Cleaning and Restoration Services will send aid as soon as possible. We offer services that can bring out the best in your carpets and your flooring. These services include:

Carpet Cleaning
Wood Floor Cleaning
Area Rug Cleaning

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