The household carpet sees it all these days. From last night’s lasagna to wine stains, we put our carpets through a lot.
Water damage is perhaps the most common problem homeowners see. The carpet fibers and its pad underneath can absorb a lot of water, which may lead to the development of fungi, spores, mildew or mold.
Restoring a water-damaged carpet requires a professional. This is because some of the methods involved can be dangerous.
The type of water, which damaged the carpet, determines whether the carpet can be restored. If your carpet is damaged by black water, which can come from flood or sewerage backup, you may need to replace it. This is because it’s likely to be contaminated.
If your toilet or the dishwasher overflows and damages your carpet, you may also need to replace your carpet. Why? Because such sources of water are considered unsanitary. The potential for health hazards is far too great.
However, if flooding has been caused by a sanitary source, then your carpet will likely be restored. Water sources such as a leaking pipe are considered sanitary because bacteria or other harmful health hazards don’t contaminate them.
Below are 5 tips on removing water damage from your carpet shared by Ryan from Onsite Properties. His team has worked with rental properties and they’ve seen their fair share of carpet that needed some cleaning:
Water damage is perhaps the most common problem homeowners see. The carpet fibers and its pad underneath can absorb a lot of water, which may lead to the development of fungi, spores, mildew or mold.
Restoring a water-damaged carpet requires a professional. This is because some of the methods involved can be dangerous.
The type of water, which damaged the carpet, determines whether the carpet can be restored. If your carpet is damaged by black water, which can come from flood or sewerage backup, you may need to replace it. This is because it’s likely to be contaminated.
If your toilet or the dishwasher overflows and damages your carpet, you may also need to replace your carpet. Why? Because such sources of water are considered unsanitary. The potential for health hazards is far too great.
However, if flooding has been caused by a sanitary source, then your carpet will likely be restored. Water sources such as a leaking pipe are considered sanitary because bacteria or other harmful health hazards don’t contaminate them.
Below are 5 tips on removing water damage from your carpet shared by Ryan from Onsite Properties. His team has worked with rental properties and they’ve seen their fair share of carpet that needed some cleaning:
Tip #1 Dry the carpet immediately
To prevent mold damage, it is crucial to dry the damaged section as soon as possible. Good circulation of air will ensure the cleanup is successful. You will require industrial dehumidifiers and fans to help quicken up the drying process.
Set up a minimum of two high-velocity fans and a dehumidifier in the room and open the windows if the weather is dry.
If you're unable to rent the equipment, use fans instead. However, you’ll require a couple of them. Set them up around the room's circumference to encourage as much airflow as possible. You want to leave them running continuously in the room until the carpet dries completely.
Ideally, leave them running to up to 48 hours. As for the padding, you have no other option left other than to remove it and replace it.
Tip #2: Use a commercial rug shampoo.
Shampooing your carpet is a great way to get a much deeper clean than vacuuming, and it will extend your carpet’s life. You’ll need a commercial rug shampoo and a sponge. Rub the shampoo and using the sponge, rub it on a part of the carpet with a light circular motion.
If the carpet is deeply soiled, then use a brush with stiff bristle. Use clear water to rinse several times, wringing the water in the sponge every time. Change the water as often as possible.
Once you’ve done this on one part of the carpet, move to the next and repeat the process. To prevent streaking when the carpet dries, you'll want to overlap the first area prior to moving to the next area of the carpet.
Once the entire surface is clean, the next step is to dry the carpet. To achieve this, you need to place the carpet in a warm dry flat surface. You could also use a fan to speed up the process. Leave the carpet there until it has dried completely.
Some carpets may, however, shrink when shampooed. As such, you want to read the manufacturer instructions first.
Tip #3: Avoid contact with the wet carpet.
Set up a minimum of two high-velocity fans and a dehumidifier in the room and open the windows if the weather is dry.
If you're unable to rent the equipment, use fans instead. However, you’ll require a couple of them. Set them up around the room's circumference to encourage as much airflow as possible. You want to leave them running continuously in the room until the carpet dries completely.
Ideally, leave them running to up to 48 hours. As for the padding, you have no other option left other than to remove it and replace it.
Tip #2: Use a commercial rug shampoo.
Shampooing your carpet is a great way to get a much deeper clean than vacuuming, and it will extend your carpet’s life. You’ll need a commercial rug shampoo and a sponge. Rub the shampoo and using the sponge, rub it on a part of the carpet with a light circular motion.
If the carpet is deeply soiled, then use a brush with stiff bristle. Use clear water to rinse several times, wringing the water in the sponge every time. Change the water as often as possible.
Once you’ve done this on one part of the carpet, move to the next and repeat the process. To prevent streaking when the carpet dries, you'll want to overlap the first area prior to moving to the next area of the carpet.
Once the entire surface is clean, the next step is to dry the carpet. To achieve this, you need to place the carpet in a warm dry flat surface. You could also use a fan to speed up the process. Leave the carpet there until it has dried completely.
Some carpets may, however, shrink when shampooed. As such, you want to read the manufacturer instructions first.
Tip #3: Avoid contact with the wet carpet.
To prevent further damaging the carpet, you want to avoid walking on the wet carpet during the drying process. Sometimes, water can cause delamination. Delamination is when the water causes the glue backing to separate from the carpet fibers.
You’ll also want to remove all furniture sitting on top of the carpet being cleaned. Wooden furniture is especially harmful. This is because the dyes or stains from the furniture can cause staining on the wet carpet. The furniture itself can also be damaged as well.
Tip #4: Use chemical cleansers to remove any contamination.
Note, however, some chemicals cleansers are potentially dangerous. Thus, preferably, you want a professional to handle them.
Chemical cleansers help kill bacteria and organisms that cause secondary water damage to your home. Specifically, the cleansers will get rid of mold, mildew, spores, fungi, or other dangerous fungi.
Tip #5: Call a professional carpet cleaner.
You’ll also want to remove all furniture sitting on top of the carpet being cleaned. Wooden furniture is especially harmful. This is because the dyes or stains from the furniture can cause staining on the wet carpet. The furniture itself can also be damaged as well.
Tip #4: Use chemical cleansers to remove any contamination.
Note, however, some chemicals cleansers are potentially dangerous. Thus, preferably, you want a professional to handle them.
Chemical cleansers help kill bacteria and organisms that cause secondary water damage to your home. Specifically, the cleansers will get rid of mold, mildew, spores, fungi, or other dangerous fungi.
Tip #5: Call a professional carpet cleaner.
Professional carpet cleaners will be able to get rid of dirt, dander, mites, and even mold spores that are hiding deep in your carpet fibers. If your carpet is exposed to flooding, this is especially necessary.
Professionals are experienced and are equipped with all the necessary tools necessary to restore your carpet.
There is no doubt that water-damaged carpets can be disastrous for your home. They can ruin the flooring and cause mold infestation. Hopefully, by implementing these 5 tips, you’ll be able to restore your carpet back to its former glory.
Professionals are experienced and are equipped with all the necessary tools necessary to restore your carpet.
There is no doubt that water-damaged carpets can be disastrous for your home. They can ruin the flooring and cause mold infestation. Hopefully, by implementing these 5 tips, you’ll be able to restore your carpet back to its former glory.
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