Carpet water damage

Carpet water damage

How Do You Fix A Water-Damaged Carpet?

One of the first things people recommend getting rid of in case of water damage to your property is fabrics such as carpets and rugs. This is because water-damaged carpets can produce a foul odor that eventually begins to reek through your entire house. Hence, it is important to fix a water-damaged carpet.

The carpet should be at the top of your to-do list if you want to salvage it and stop your house from smelling like a rotten rat. You will be able to save your water-damaged carpet if you act fast.

People who take too long to take steps to repair a water-damaged carpet often end up suffering heavy losses. In this article, we’ll talk about ways to protect a water-damaged carpet so you can use it. This will remove the need to spend money on a new carpet.

Let’s get started:

Drain Excess Water

We have been in the business of carpet cleaning and water damage repair for years and can tell you that this is a very common mistake. Some people start working on repairing the carpet before attempting to suck out excessive water. This makes the job easier and increases the risk of further damage.

Since most carpets have variable soaking capacities, it is important to first determine how much water your carpet has absorbed.

Depending on the amount of excess water, here are a few ways you can get rid of it:

  • For small amounts of water, using a sponge or towel can do the trick. If your carpet is not as absorbent, most of the water will stay on the upper layer of the fibers, making it easy for you to soak up excess water through a few rounds of placing sponges and towels. The job can be a little tiring and take a few hours, depending on the size of the carpet.
  • On the other hand, you will need a high-power vacuum if the carpet has absorbed a lot of water. These vacuums are designed to suck every drop of water and can do the job quickly, however, they’re very expensive and tricky to operate.

The best way to deal with a soaked carpet is to call a water damage restoration company like getting Delmar. We have the tools and manpower needed to suck every drop of water and salvage your belongings. Don’t worry about having to drag large carpets or bad smells, we know how to deal with all water damage issues.

Shampoo and Sanitize the Carpet

The threat of harmful bacteria and fungi growing within the carpet is very high after a flood or water damage. Not only can bacteria and fungi destroy the longevity of your carpet, but they can also be hazardous to human and animal health; especially if you have toddlers or pets that tend to spend a lot of time on carpets.

To clean and sanitize your carpet, you can use special carpet shampoo or live enzyme liquid. This liquid is designed to kill odor-producing fungi and bacteria that may grow in water-damaged carpets.

It is important to sanitize and shampoo the carpet before moving to the drying phase. Again, our team can get the job done.

Dry Out the Carpet

It is best to leave your carpet out where it can dry naturally in the sun. This is a great way of preventing the growth of any bacteria. However, if your carpet is too heavy to be moved, or you simply don’t have an open space where you can leave out your carpet, then you may need to get high-powered fans.

You will have the option to purchase or hire one but operating such fans can be tricky. Save time and effort by getting in touch with a professional like getting Delmar and have us handle the job for you.

Assess the Condition of the Carpet

Once you’re done drying out the carpet, it is time to assess the damage. In most cases, it is the padding of the carpet that suffers the most. Moreover, it is more susceptible to mold growth.

It is best to replace the padding if there are signs of permanent damage.

Conclusion

When working on fixing your water-damaged carpet, it is important to be quick as mold can start to grow in wet carpets within 24 to 48 hours. It is also important to be calm and patient during the process as fully drying your carpet can take up to 2 days without the help of a professional.