When flooding occurs and carpets become wet or damp, it can lead to several disastrous issues such as mold, mildew and ruined carpet. Whether it’s because of a flood, burst pipe or leaking appliance, it’s critical that water in carpet is addressed quickly to avoid long-term issues.
Small spills, such as glass of water, can be taken care of relatively easy with a towel. Bigger spills or flooding, however, may require more intensive and involved steps to completely dry the carpet and the floor underneath. It’s always a good idea to remove as much water as possible on the first day.
Here are some tips and tricks for dealing with wet carpet:
Soak Up Excess Water
Using towels and even blankets if necessary soak up as much water as possible in the flooded area. Be sure to completely open the towels or any other absorbent cloth you are using to allow the most contact with the carpet. As the towels become soaked with water, remove them and replace with dry towels.
Wet Vacuum
If you have access to a wet vacuum, you may want to use this to help remove water. Be sure you are careful when plugging the vacuum in to avoid electrical shock. Depending on the amount of water, you may have to stop every so often to empty the wet vacuum out before continuing.
Get the Ventilation Going
By ensuring there is proper ventilation in the room where the flooding occurred, you are giving the carpet a better chance to dry out. Open windows and use floor fans to keep the ventilation going. If needs be, keep the fans running through the night. You may even use a dehumidifier to absorb moisture found in the air of the room.
Lift Carpet
If possible, it is best to create a space between the floor and the carpet. This will allow better circulation leading to a faster drying time. It works best to completely remove the carpet and take it outside, but if this is impossible, at least lift portions of it at a time and prop it up against something so that the ventilation is affecting both the bottom and top of the carpet.
Clean Carpet to Prevent Mildew and Mold
Once the carpet has had a chance to dry completely, it is a good idea to have the carpets cleaned. This will prevent the growth of mildew or mold.
Dealing with wet carpet can be a difficult and often overwhelming task. It may involve several days of work in a row. If you don’t have the time or equipment to handle the removal of water from your carpet or if it has been caused by a major flood, call Best Choice Restoration at 480-319-1215. Let us take a look at the flooded area and give our suggestions on how to deal with it.