How to Fix Carpet Water Damage
If your carpet had feelings and a sleep pattern, there is one dream that would make it wake up screaming. That dream would be flooding because water can truly destroy a carpet although if you act fast there are some kinds of carpet water damage you can fix.
If the flooding was caused by an overflowing tap or by leaking rain water, then the water is probably relatively clean. The first step is to close the tap or seal the leak so that no more water comes in. Take out all your furniture, as it may cause stains while the carpet dries. Dry the carpet within 12 hours, to prevent the growth of micro-organisms. You can make the carpet dry faster by opening all doors and windows, and using fans.
Disinfect the carpet before drying just in case there were any worms, amoeba, or fresh water bacteria. Let the carpet dry completely, and avoid walking all over it. This is because the carpet’s latex backing is not very strong while wet, but it will regain its firmness once it has dried out. If the carpet ran from wall to wall, you may need to call in a professional carpet restorer to strip the carpet and reinstall it if it does not dry smooth.
For flooding by dirty water, there’ll be some staining and possibly a bad smell. The water could be from an overflowing dishwasher or a urinary toilet spill. In this case the carpet should be thrown away, as it may be a bio-hazard. If you must reuse it, strong disinfection will be necessary by professional cleaners. Cleaners must use protective clothing like boots, goggles, and rubber gloves. Check for cuts or bruises before you begin to work, as these can easily be infected. People with open wounds should avoid flood repair work. They can get sick, and their sickness can inadvertently harm the health of other workers.
A more extreme form of damage is black water flooding. Black water contains raw waste from an overflowing toilet or a burst sewer. Sea water and run-off is also classified as black, because it may contain soil and other untreated elements. The area should be evacuated, though it’s an expensive way to get a few days off. The carpet has to be completely removed and thrown away or even burned, to prevent the spread of infections. The rest of the room also has to be inspected to see if the toxic water left residues in wood, concrete, or other materials. Wood, parquet, travertine tile, and other porous flooring materials may have to be stripped and discarded as well.
Always wear protective garments when dealing with dirty or black water damage or best of all get the professionals in as this is not a time to get things wrong and suffer damage to your health as well as a water damaged carpet.