subject: Carpet Cleaning After Water Damage [print this page] Water damage is scary and frustrating; whether it is the result of a fire, broken or leaking pipe, or a flood, the damage to your home and possessions can feel overwhelming. As you recover from water damage, you are going to need to decide what to do with your carpeting. If the water damage is the result of an overflowing toilet or other unsanitary source, then you need to remove all of the affected carpeting and throw it away -- you do not want to risk illness. If, however, the source of the water was sanitary, you can safely clean your carpeting. First, you need to disinfect the affected areas.
You can do this by adding a few tablespoons of bleach to a gallon of water. Before starting the cleaning process, make sure that the area where you will be working is well-ventilated -- you do not want to be overcome with fumes. Using a brush, scrub the carpeting, working the water/bleach mixture deep into the affected fibers. Next, you will want to use a tool like a box cutter or something similar to cut around the damaged carpeting. Dispose of all of the padding underneath the affected area: it cannot be salvaged. Lift the carpet to allow air to free circulate under the carpeting, starting the drying process.
Be sure to clean the floor in the damaged area, to get rid of potential mold or other issues. Now you need to be patient and let the area dry. You can somewhat hasten this process by setting-up industrial fans to move around the air, eventually evaporating the moisture. This process takes time and cannot be rushed. Test the carpeting after about 12-hours; if it still feels damp in the slightest, leave it to dry some more. You do not want to put back your carpeting until all traces of moisture have evaporated.
Your next step is to go to a carpet or home improvement store to purchase a small amount of padding -- many may be willing to sell you remnants the size you require at a considerable savings. Once the carpet is completely dry, you can cut padding to fit exactly in the affected area. Lower the carpeting and keep the fans blowing for at least another 24-hours, to make doubly certain that all of the moisture is, in fact, gone. If your water damage is extensive, or you do not feel you can take on Carpet Water Damage Restoration, hire a professional carpet cleaner.
