Flooding With Wet Carpet

By the diy experts of the family handyman magazine.

Flooding with wet carpet.

If you have wet carpet there s no time to lose. If your home has recently flooded this is most likely the reason for the unpleasant odor. When a carpet smells musty or smells like mildew it can be a result of humidity or spills that fell onto the carpet. However if you take the proper steps for drying wet carpet after a flood you can ensure that your space is safe to live in and looks as good as new when repairs are done.

Here s what you need to know to dry out wet carpet. Having wet carpet after a flood poses a health risk to your home if it s not dealt with properly especially since wet carpet is prime breeding ground for dangerous mold. It is best to deal with a wet carpet as quickly as possible to stop this from happening. Baking soda absorbs odors and moisture.

Keep an eye on the fill tank and make sure you dump it before hitting overflow. When moisture gets underneath the carpet a musty odor will form. Here are a few methods for drying wet carpet. Use your body weight and soak up the water by walking over the carpets until the towels are fully saturated.

Carpet water damage mold and black mold in carpet can develop anytime your carpet has become wet and stayed wet for a while without the opportunity to dry out thoroughly. Sprinkle baking soda onto the carpet. If your home had some flooding and the carpet was damp for more than 24 hours you probably have some mold in your carpets. The most important part is first stopping water from flowing into the problem area.

Follow these steps for drying your carpet properly and preventing the spread of moisture and mildew. Gently spread the baking soda around the carpet with a broom or sponge working the powder into the carpet as you do so. The institute for inspection cleaning and restoration certification recommends that in such cases a certified mold restoration service provider should. The wet vacuum cleaner removes water from the carpet itself but it may not be able to remove it from the padding if the water has wicked through the carpet backing or soaked in under the edges.

Towels for wet carpet. Even if it s only water a funny odor can accumulate over time. Cleaning water soaked carpets and floors is difficult under any conditions but in the aftermath of a storm or flood contamination by mud silt sewage and mildew can compound the problem. Seven expert tips for drying a wet carpet.

Carpets that are damp or wet as a result of flooding can lead to mildew and other fungi buildup which leads to possible health risks for you and your family.