If you've recently experienced flooding, a burst pipe, or another source of water damage at your home, you may be dealing with wet carpet as a result. While you might assume that you'll need to totally rip up the carpet and have it replaced, the truth is that in some cases, water-damaged carpeting can be dried out and re-used. This, in turn, can save you money and hassle as you embark on the water damage restoration process.
Still, if you're looking to salvage your home's carpeting after water damage, there are some things you should know.
You Need to Act Quickly
Because mold can begin growing on wet carpeting and padding as soon as 24-48 hours after the initial damage, it is important that you act quickly not only in addressing the source of the water but in getting the carpeting dried out as well. While there may not be much you can do if your home has flooded due to rainwater, a burst pipe and other common plumbing issues can and should be resolved by an emergency plumber as quickly as possible.
Consider the Source
When deciding whether or not carpeting may be salvaged, it's also important to think about the source of the water itself. Water from a sewage backup, for example, is hazardous--and you should assume that your carpeting will need to be replaced if it has come into contact with any of this contaminated water. The same may apply to flood water, as carpeting (and carpet padding) is porous and will absorb bacteria.
On the other hand, water damage from a plumbing pipe is less likely to necessitate total carpet replacement because this water tends to be clean.
Replace Wet Padding
While it is possible that wet carpeting can be safely dried out and reused after water damage, padding that has gotten wet will always need to be replaced. This is because the padding will become compressed by the weight of the water and will not "spring back" once it dries. With this in mind, it is possible that the carpeting will need to be lifted in order to remove the wet padding. From there, the carpet and subfloor can be dried out before the new padding is put down. Finally, once the carpet is cleaned and sanitized by an experienced carpet cleaning company, the existing carpet can be reinstalled.
If you're dealing with water damage in your home, the best thing you can do is turn to a team of professionals to get everything restored. This includes not only your carpeting, but your drywall, trim, subfloors, and more.
To learn more, contact a damage contractor that offers carpet cleaning services.
Share13 May 2020
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