Water damaged carpet isn’t just a potential money pit, but it can also create significant health concerns.
Flooding can be a homeowner’s biggest nightmare. There are many mistakes, failures, and even natural disasters that can leave you underwater literally and figuratively. Black Diamond Restoration has completed our share of water damage projects, and today we’re showing you exactly how to clean up water-damaged carpet on your property.
How Does Water Damage Occur?
There are a variety of reasons your home could sustain water damage. Internal plumbing issues, such as an overflowing tub, broken pipe, or backed up sewer can happen. Foundation or drainage problems can lead to groundwater or other water sources leaking into the basement of the home due to gravity. Older homes can be more susceptible, as are those with poor grading or high precipitation levels.
How to Clean up Water Damaged Carpet
- Identify & Prevent Cause. The first step to take is to identify what is causing the flooding because otherwise, any cleaning will be impossible or, at best, temporary. It’s important to find the root of the flood to take steps to repair it permanently. You may also want to take photographs for insurance claims, if relevant.
- Remove Water Carefully. You can remove small amounts of water with a wet-dry vacuum or even a broom if you have a drain within reach. Additionally, you’ll need to treat deepwater with immense care to prevent electrical danger. Wear rubber boots and avoid touching wires or electrical elements, and when in doubt—call a professional for safety and pumps to remove deep water.
- Evacuate. It’s time to get furniture and any other items out of the flooded rooms and off the wet carpet. Discoloration and contamination can occur, and any pressure or friction on a wet carpet can cause adhesive backing to separate from the carpet. Plus, you need the carpet exposed to as much air as possible for the next step.
- Dry the Carpet. Once you remove standing water, you need to dry the carpet as quickly as possible to prevent the onset of mold, discoloration, and other potential problems. Use squeegees, towels, fans, heat, dehumidifiers, and any other helpful tools to soak up and evaporate the excess water.
- Clean the Carpet. When you’re dealing with backed-up sewage, you should also be concerned about sanitizing your carpet. Even when the water is culinary or reasonably clean, you need to worry about mold and other contaminants. Clean your carpets by carefully shampooing every inch or steam cleaning. Professional carpet cleaners are best for this step to ensure a healthy clean.
- Stay Off. It’s best if you leave your water-damaged carpet alone for a few days to give it time to dry fully; this means keeping furniture out and keeping feet off of it. Air out the carpet with open windows when possible.
Black Diamond Water Damage and Disaster Restoration Can Help
On top of the horror of a flooded home, you’ll have to deal with evacuating the water, cleaning water damaged carpet, and hoping you’ve done enough to save them. Instead, you can call Black Diamond Restoration and rest easy. We’re proud to serve Salt Lake County.
