Water damage can be a homeowner's worst nightmare. Not only can it cause costly repairs, but it can also lead to the growth of dangerous mold and mildew. Fortunately, if you act quickly, you may be able to save your water damaged carpet. Here are some expert tips on how to do just that. The first step is to dry the carpet as quickly as possible.
If it's just a spill, you can use towels, fans, and other methods to absorb the moisture. However, if the carpet, padding, floor and subfloor are completely soaked, it may be best to replace the rug. To help with the drying process, you can run a fan that points to the humid area and use a dehumidifier to extract moisture from the air. If you're not at fault for the water damage, contact your insurance company and provide them with the pertinent details. Professional water damage specialists have the tools and expertise to help save your carpet.
They use professional-quality water extraction machines that completely remove water from carpets. When dealing with clean water damage, mold will begin to grow on the carpet within 24-48 hours depending on how wet it is. If it's contaminated water such as sewage, mold will start growing within 24 hours. In this case, EPA, FEMA, CDC and other remediation regulations recommend removing and replacing the carpet. Finally, if you're dealing with a water-damaged carpet, you'll want to address the smell as soon as possible. This is arguably one of the worst smells in the world and can be difficult to get rid of.
To do this, you'll need to use a combination of deodorizers and disinfectants.
