Does My Carpet Have To Be Replaced?

11/2/2022 (Permalink)

Does My Carpet Have to be Replaced?

If your home or business has been affected by a flood, you’re probably wondering if your carpets can be salvaged. The answer depends on the cause of the flooding, but in most cases, carpet may be salvageable if it's dried out properly. Carpeting is often installed over a vapor barrier that prevents moisture from seeping into floors. They're not easy to replace once they get wet.

While it's up to you whether you want to replace your carpeting after flooding, here's how the professionals recommend going about it:

The water source dictates whether the carpet can be saved.

If the water source is clean, such as a pipe burst or supply line, the carpet can probably be saved. However, if the water source is dirty, like after a flood caused by a storm, then you’ll probably need to replace your carpet.

If you have the time, start by removing any furniture, electronics, and other items from the carpeted area. Removing these objects will make it easier to clean up any spills that occur during cleaning. 

• If there's water on your floor, remove it.
• If the water is still on your floor, use a wet/dry vacuum to remove it. If there’s a lot of water, use a mop.
• If you have just a little bit of water, use a mop to soak up the liquid.

Extract as much water as possible from the carpet.

Most carpet damage is caused by water, so it's important to extract as much water as possible. If you have a wet vac, use this to vacuum out as much moisture as possible. If not, try using a towel or sponge and blotting the excess liquid up until the carpet feels dry. Do not rub your hands back and forth on the carpet; instead, just pat it lightly with your hand in one direction (this will help prevent further damage).

Dry out the area with fans and dehumidifiers; seal off the room to help speed up drying and prevent permanent damage from mold growth.

If you’ve experienced a flood, don’t panic. Your options are better than you think! It may seem like it would be faster and easier to just replace the carpeting in your home, but if done right, there is hope of salvaging your floor covering.

This process will take time and patience—but if done correctly, it can pay off big time (and save you thousands of dollars).

First things first—dry out the area with fans and dehumidifiers; seal off the room to help speed up drying and prevent permanent damage from mold growth. The amount of time required depends on how much water got into your floors (if any), but typically it takes 2-5 days for most water-soaked materials to dry completely. If there was significant damage from flooding or other sources (such as sewage) then just keep in mind that this process could take longer than expected!

Professionals recommend leaving carpets in place until everything else is dry. Consider that vapor barriers and insulation under floors may be wet, so leave them alone until a professional has inspected your home.

• Remove wet carpet as soon as possible.
• Clean up any water that's left on the floor.
• Dry out the area with fans and dehumidifiers.
• Seal off the room to help speed up drying and prevent permanent damage from mold growth

If you're too overwhelmed to deal with this situation on your own, contact a water damage restoration professional like SERVPRO of Central Ft. Myers. They'll be able to assess the damage and do everything necessary to get your carpets back in shape - so that they look like new again!