1. Find The Water Source
To stop the problem at hand, and prevent severe carpet water damage, you must first find where the water is coming from. Essentially the situation can be very easy to figure out. Has your toilet overflowed? Have there been heavy rains in your area lately? Do you have a leak coming from your roof? Could you have left a faucet on? What about a pipe burst? You have to stop additional water from entering your home immediately to fend off more carpet water damage. If your faucet if the problem, turn it off. If you have a pipe burst, stop the water flow as best you can, and call a plumber.
You should also determine whether the water is sanitary or unsanitary. Sanitary water originates from rain or pipes, while unsanitary water comes from toilet overflow or other contaminated sources. There is also a substance called “black water.” Any water that has come into contact with raw sewage is described as black water. If your carpet has come into contact with this type of water, discard it at once.
2. Remove All Valuables From The Carpet
Water damage can ruin items such as furniture, photographs, and books. Items that are non-valuable items beyond repair should promptly be discarded. However, certain important or valuable items may be able to be photocopied. Next, if the carpet is damaged, remove the carpet itself. Also, if there is a cushion beneath the carpet, throw that away as well. The purpose is to get as much air circulation in the room as possible.
3. Take The Moisture Out Of The Air
Mold and mildew only need a minimum of 48 hours to begin growth, so it is absolutely essential that water removal begins as soon as possible to prevent not only severe carpet water damage, but also mold growth and health issues for the household. A dehumidifier should be started immediately. Dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air, so this will greatly assist you in your carpet water damage cleaning. The tank should be emptied often, so be sure to keep a check on it. You will want to operate the dehumidifier until your home is completely dry to ensure no mold and mildew accumulation.
4. Water Extraction And Drying
Water extraction should begin immediately, and the carpet should be completely dry within 12 hours of the water event. Wet/Dry vacuum cleaners should be used to remove as much water from the carpet as possible. The carpet should be removed from the tack strip, and the carpet cushion should be thrown away to speed up drying time. Drying can also be sped up by elevated the carpet, and utilizing fans.
If you do not think you can handle the carpet water damage yourself, you can always hire our top-notch water removal and restoration team. Accutech Restoration and Remodeling has the knowledge and experience to assist you in any water damage situation. Our highly-skilled staff and state-of-the-art equipment together can handle any carpet water damage caused by flooding, toilet overflow, burst pipes, and other water events. With technology advanced equipment and methods, you will never have to deal with ripped up carpets and damaged property again!