Floods and other forms of water damage can cause significant problems for both homeowners and commercial property managers. There is a lot that needs to be done to deal with the aftermath of water damage. One major issue that crops up is how to deal with carpeting after a flood.
Keep Yourself Safe
The first tip in carpet cleaning, or in undertaking any restoration project after a flood or water damage has occurred is to keep yourself and your family safe. Whenever a large amount of water has entered a home, there is a significant potential for mold to develop.
Make sure you wear a mask and protective goggles during the cleaning process. You should also wear rubber gloves and a sturdy pair of boots. A mask designed to keep dust out is a must if you have concerns about allergies. Even if you’re wearing gloves, make sure you wash your hands often.
Dry Out the Space
The next step in carpet and rug restoration is doing everything you can to help dry out the space before you start cleaning and sanitizing. The more waterlogged carpets and rugs become, the more difficult they will be to clean and restore to usability. Leaving windows and doors open if possible is a good first step to improve airflow and begin the process of removing moisture. Make use of exhaust fans and dehumidifiers if you have them available.
Key Considerations
It’s important to determine the best possible approach to carpet cleaning and rug restoration for your particular situation. There is no one-size fits all solution for carpet cleaning after water damage. Here are some key considerations to think about when going about carpet and rug restoration:
Flood Source
The first factor to consider when determining if carpet cleaning is even a possibility is the source of the flood or water damage. If contaminated water caused the flood or damage, it’s usually best to get rid of the carpets and rugs entirely.
If they are particularly valuable, you should contact a professional like Royal Renovations to determine if restoration is an option, but at-home cleaning should not be attempted due to health and safety concerns. If clean water was the source of the flood and there is no visible mold growth, carpet cleaning can usually be attempted.
Type of Carpeting
When you’re dealing with waterlogged carpeting, there is more than just the top carpet to consider. There are often pads underneath the carpets, and these should be taken out and thrown away immediately since they cannot be reused.
There is also flooring beneath the carpet, which can be damaged if wet carpeting is allowed to sit. That’s why it’s essential to take up wet carpets and rugs as soon as possible to prevent the floor from sustaining significant damage.
Carpet Size
The size of the carpet or rug can determine how you should attempt to clean it. For example, if you have a few small throw rugs that can fit in a standard washing machine, you can typically easily clean them yourself at home. Larger rugs obviously cannot be cleaned in a washing machine but can be restored in certain situations with the help of a professional.
Try At-Home Solutions
In the wake of a flood or other disaster, your first thought may be to try to clean your property’s carpets and rugs yourself. While at-home carpet cleaning and restoration isn’t always successful, there are some tips you can try as a starting point:
Dry it Outside
If possible, bring the carpet outside where it can get fresh airflow and dry out. If the carpet must stay inside, try using fans and dehumidifiers in the room to help it dry.
Use Shampoo
Carpet shampoos can be used at home to start the carpet cleaning process. After drying out the carpet and vacuuming it, you can shampoo it, let it dry, and then vacuum it again.
Try Baking Soda
After drying and shampooing your carpet, there still may be a lingering dirty or musty smell. You can attempt to remedy this by dusting the carpet with baking soda overnight and vacuuming it out the next day.
Call the Professionals
The best way to ensure effective carpet cleaning after a flood or water damage is to rely on the help of professionals. As a full-service disaster restoration company, we have years of experience in carpet and rug restoration after water damage and will do everything we can to make your carpets and rugs as good as new. Contact us today to find out more.