A carpet that has been soaked with water will not simply dry out without assistance. Left to air dry on the floor, it will become a breeding ground for mold and mildew. The resulting smell may not ever air out, and you could easily face the expense of replacing it. The key to recovering a carpet that has been submerged in water is fast action and aggressive treatment.
Sanitary Water Damage
Clean water is definitely easier to deal with than some other options. If your carpet was soaked as the result of a broken water supply line, then you can probably save it. The water should be removed with powerful steam cleaners. Fans and dehumidifiers should then be used to remove residual dampness from the carpet and the air in the room.
Unsanitary Flood Waters
Water that seeps into your home as a result of widespread flooding can harbor dangerous bacteria. While it must be removed from the carpet, you also want to make sure that the carpet is sanitized and deodorized. Special chemicals can neutralize harmful bacteria, which will also help eliminate the odor. Even if the floodwater look clean, you still should not walk in them without protective rubber boots to protect yourself and avoid cuts from floating debris.
Sewer Backups
Every homeowner’s worst fear, sewer backups are the most difficult type of damage to address. Loaded with bacteria and carrying a stench that could knock a ferret over, the damage to your carpets is often irreversible. Even when professionals are able to remove the discoloration and odor, many homeowners simply don’t feel comfortable using the carpets after they have been contaminated with sewage.
Locate the Source
Whether the waters are from floods, broken pipes or your own sewer, you must find the source and take steps to stop it. You may have to call professional plumbers in to assist you, but fast action will help you prevent serious damage. If the problem is ongoing storms, then you may not be able to do much until the weather clears up. A prompt response from you will lessen the damage and allow you to get your home back to normal faster.
Mitigate the Damage
There are usually steps you can take to limit the scope of the damage. Remove small items from the areas that are flooding, and try to get small pieces of furniture out of the way. The faster you act, the less water damage you will have in the long run. If the problem is a roof leak, try putting pans in the attic to catch the water before it travels through your home. Leaking windows can be covered with plastic, and you can call roofers in to cover roof leaks with a tarp.
When water damages your home, call in the professionals at High Quality Carpet Cleaning to help you with the damage. Allowing the water to dry out will result in warped floors, ruined walls and carpet that cannot be saved. High Quality Carpet Cleaning in Union, NJ is ready to assist you. We will bring in dehumidifiers to clear the air, fans to dry out your belongings and high-powered machinery to pull the water from your carpets and upholstery. With our help, you can recover from water damage.
For any further information or any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.