If you have a leak in your home or basement, it can quickly turn into a huge problem when you have carpet. When it comes to dealing with wet carpets, it is no laughing matter. It can cause damage to your home that is beyond repair.
Once your carpet gets wet, the clock starts ticking on how long you have to get it dry before mold can start forming.
How To Tell If Your Carpet Is Wet
Sometimes, the carpet doesn’t look like it’s wet. It could be that the moisture is trapped below the surface due to a leak in the house’s flooring. A foul odor that’s coming from your carpet can be a sign of a serious issue that needs to be addressed.
If your carpet still has a musty odor, this could be a sign of a wet floor. You may also notice discoloration on carpets that have moisture in them.
Should I Let My Carpet Stay Wet?
You might not know how long the carpet has been wet or how it got wet. Or, you might not realize that a flood has occurred until after you return from a long trip. When it comes to cleaning up wet carpet, it is important to take the time to investigate the issue and avoid damaging your flooring.
Unattended wet carpet can cause mold and mildew to form. Mold can also enter a home by leaving the moisture in a warm, dark place. Mold can cause severe respiratory distress and even death if it is not treated correctly.
When your carpet gets wet, you need to act quickly to ensure mold and mildew don’t start to form and cause further damage. Here are some tips for how to dry wet carpet quickly. Remember, for extreme cases, it may be wise to call on professional to help, like ‘58 Foundations.
1. Remove Excess Moisture
Getting rid of water in your carpet is the first step in addressing the issue. The easiest way to get rid of it is by using a wet vac. If you don’t have one at home, they can be rented from a local retailer.
2. Inspect Your Furniture
If the moisture has affected the furniture or fixtures in the room, check to see if they have already dried. Some items, like upholstered furniture, require special attention to remove and replace.
3. Air The Space Out
The next tip is to create airflow in the area that had water damage. Get as much air flowing as possible in the room to help remove the odor and moisture. High-powered fans are usually the best choice for this job. However, fans with standard blades are usually better than none.
4. Remove Carpet Padding
If your carpet has been flooded, then your carpet padding needs to be replaced. It can prevent the main carpet from getting too wet and becoming contaminated.
5. Steam Clean Carpet
Steam cleaning wet carpet can remove toxins from your home. It does so by killing any toxins that are present. Call a professional if you have any questions.
6. Apply Baking Soda
This versatile ingredient can lift and remove moisture from various parts of your carpet. Just add a small amount of baking soda to a wet carpet and let it work.
7. Sanitize All Surfaces
Clean the walls and baseboards of the room to remove any mold or mildew. Also, thoroughly clean the other surface areas in the room to prevent the spread of fungi and bacteria.
When you end up with a wet carpet, there is no time to lose. If you don’t clean it properly, you will have mold and mildew to deal with over and over. Instead, call in the professionals and have it done right the first time.
