Standing water is devastating to your carpets. Soaking through the fibers and being absorbed by the pad, it can take days or weeks to dry on its own. In the meantime, the glue for the carpet backing becomes damaged, mold starts to grow and the smell of mildew can become unbearable. It’s important to prevent carpet water damage in New Jersey by knowing how to address the situation. Here are some tips to help you keep your carpets safe and sound from water damage.
Clutter-Free Homes
If you’ve ever watched one of those hoarding shows, then you know how clutter can hide damage to your home. You could have a small water leak and be unaware of it if you cannot access areas of your home. Stacks of boxes and even shelves loaded with items block your view of corners and allow water damage to go unnoticed. Prevent water damage by eliminating clutter and keeping the home as clean as possible.
Don’t Delay the Cleanup
Whether the cup of milk was spilled during your favorite show or red wine was tipped over while you were entertaining, you still want to clean the mess as soon as possible. Allowing liquids to sit on the carpet will result in drenched carpet pads that are difficult to dry. Stop whatever you are doing and clean the mess by blotting it up with clean white towels or paper towels.
Correct the Underlying Problem
The soaked carpet is a symptom of a larger problem. In addition to dealing with the water you have today, you have to determine where the water came from and correct that problem. It could be a broken water line in the walls or a leaky air conditioner. Wherever the water comes from, you must identify the source and correct the underlying problem to avoid having another issue with soaking carpets.
Thorough Drying is Important
Even though the surface of the carpet feels dry, the padding can still be wet. This moisture will lead to a growth of mold and mildew. Avoid this problem by drying the carpet completely. Fans blowing across the carpet will aid in drying it, and dehumidifiers will pull moisture out of the air and force it out of the carpet padding. If you don’t have access to this type of equipment, then you should call carpet professionals who do.
Effective Cleaning to Remove Bacteria
The final step is to clean the carpet and remove any residual bacteria. This becomes more of an issue as water is allowed to sit on the carpet. If you are using a home steam cleaner, then run some anti-bacterial carpet cleaners through the system. Professionals have access to these specialty cleaners and can help you remove the bacteria to avoid mold, mildew, odors and illness.
The best way to prevent water damage to your carpet is to call for professional service as quickly as possible. The professionals have more powerful equipment to clean your carpet and restore it, so you won’t have to deal with the expense of replacing it. Contact High Quality Carpet Cleaning or call us at 732-356-6800 to see how we can help you restore your carpet after a flood.