subject: Quality Carpet Water Damage Restoration to Prevent Damage & Mold [print this page] Carpets can be severely damaged by floods and water leaks. It is important to understand the type of flood or leak immediately - The key question is whether it is sanitary or unsanitary, and to what degree. For a sanitary leak or flood, caused by plain water from any source, the prospects for a successful restoration are high. First of all identify the source of the leak and stop the water, using the services of a plumber if necessary. In severe cases it may also be necessary to punch small holes in the drywall, to release any remaining or standing water. Next, if you have not already done so, remove all furnishings from the room and release the carpet from the floor (glue, nails, tack strip etc.). Discard the padding - it cannot be re-used once sodden.
You now have a choice - Do it yourself, or employ a water damage restoration company. For a small leak, doing it yourself may be a good idea, for a bigger leak or flood, the professionals are a better bet. As soon as you can, contact your insurance company and explain what has happened - They will be able to tell you what is and is not covered by them, and this may help you make your decision. Indeed, they may have a preferred contractor for this type of service.
Whether you do it yourself or get a professional in, the steps are the same - Discard the padding, clean the carpet (if required) and then elevate the carpet off the floor and dry it out as soon as possible. Effective drying may require the use of industrial fans and / or dehumidifiers. The target time for drying the carpet is within 12 hours, to minimize damage to the structure of the carpet itself, and to prevent mold from growing. An unsanitary leak or flood (sewage, dirty or foul flood water, or other contaminated source) requires a different approach.
If the carpet has been subjected to 'black' water - i.e. sewage or groundwater - you need to dispose of both the padding and the carpet as soon as possible. It is just not worth trying to rescue a carpet that has been soaked in this way, indeed it can pose a real health hazard, so get rid of it just as soon as you can. If the carpet has been subject to a milder unsanitary source (such as a dishwasher overflow, water and urine from a toilet overflow) follow the same initial steps as for a sanitary leak above, discard the padding but, prior to attempting any drying-out, you must thoroughly disinfect and clean the whole carpet, to protect public health.
Be careful to test your chosen disinfectant on a discreet piece of the carpet first, to ensure color fastness etc. Once the carpet has been properly disinfected, continue as per the sanitary leak process above, remembering to discard the padding as soon as possible after identifying the leak. Again, a professional water damage restoration company will be able to undertake all this work for you, and may be a wiser bet than taking this on yourself. Carpet Water Damage Restoration will help your carpets look new and prevent mold.
Quality Carpet Water Damage Restoration to Prevent Damage & Mold
