If you have wet carpet due to flooding or a burst pipe, you must dry it as quickly as possible. Neglecting the problem for more than 24 to 48 hours could allow mold to start growing, so begin the drying process as soon as you discover the damage. Then, call a remediation company promptly to request a water damage evaluation. Professional drying techniques are the best way to prevent mold damage and the complications that come with it.

Remove Excess Water

Clean up pools of water using a wet/dry shop vac. If the carpet is merely damp, towels may be enough to soak up the water.

Check Your Furniture

Remove tables, sofas, rugs, and other furniture from the wet carpet as soon as possible. Water can soak into upholstery and wood if not addressed quickly. Also, fabric dyes and wood finishes can easily transfer to and stain the carpet if you skip this step.

Use Fans

Air circulation is an important part of drying wet carpet. Box fans are a useful start, but it could take days for the carpet to dry this way. By then, mold could become established and require you to replace the carpet. That’s why you should turn to a professional who has access to high-powered drying fans for maximum effectiveness.

Set Up a Dehumidifier

Wet carpet takes much longer to dry if the air remains saturated from the evaporating moisture. A portable dehumidifier is an effective way to reduce the humidity and speed up the drying time.

Control the Temperature

The ideal dry-out temperature is 70 to 90 degrees F. Any colder than this, and the evaporation process slows down. Any warmer than this, and the dehumidifier can’t perform at its peak. When opening the windows isn’t an option, either due to incorrect temperature or high humidity, a remediation company can use heaters and drying chambers to create the ideal conditions.

Clean and Deodorize

Once you’re certain all the water has been removed, the cleaning and deodorizing process can begin. First, assess the carpet padding. Many times, water-damaged pads must be replaced, even if the drying process was completed quickly. However, replacing just the padding is much more affordable than re-carpeting the whole house. As for the carpet itself, steam cleaning is often the best method for restoring it to its original condition.

Sanitize the Baseboards and Drywall

Anything that came in contact with the floodwater must be sanitized for health and safety reasons. Begin by scrubbing all hard surfaces with a brush dipped in soapy water. Then, create a sanitizing solution of 1.5 cups chlorine bleach per one gallon of water. Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands while cleaning with bleach.

Cleaning water-soaked carpet is a difficult chore, even under the best conditions. Then, in the aftermath of a storm or flood, you could face hazardous contamination and future mold growth. That’s why you should turn to DKI. We’ll help save your carpet, dry out the structure, and sanitize your home to restore to its pre-flood condition. Contact us today to request water damage remediation.