Water damage is experienced by around 40% of homeowners in the US. It can cause severe property damage. Water damage can cause structural changes, damage to building material, and damage to objects like furniture or personal belongings in a building. Water damage can be caused by damaged pipes, leaky appliances, clogged drains, natural disasters that cause flooding, faulty sump pumps, or structural damage that causes moisture to enter a building.
Proven Restoration LLC has been offering water damage restoration services in Houston, Texas. This professional team also handles mold remediation work, duct cleaning, and disinfection. In this article, they discuss how water damage can affect carpet and carpet padding and how it can be restored or replaced.
Carpets are used to bring an aesthetic look, add warmth and texture, and can also have an impact on the acoustics of a room. Carpet padding is used as a shock absorber for carpets. It improves the comfort and durability of the carpet. Carpet padding can also increase warmth because it provides added insulation. It can improve acoustics and so can help make rooms quieter. However, carpets and carpet padding should not be exposed to moisture. When they get wet carpets will develop mold quickly and have a bad odor. Carpets with moisture or mold are unhygienic and can cause adverse health effects.
Can Wet Carpet Be Saved?
Property damage restoration always aims to restore things to limit the costs and environmental impact of replacing them. But whether water-damaged carpets can be saved would depend on different factors. The age and quality of the carpet and how it was installed will determine if it can be salvaged. Carpets that were wet for more than 2 days, carpets with mold, and worn-out carpets should be discarded directly. Homeowners who cannot get carpets dried immediately for any reason must be prepared to get rid of them.
The type of water damage is very important in deciding if carpets can be salvaged or should be replaced. If clean water from a broken pipe or rainwater wets a carpet it can be cleaned and dried. Depending on how soaked the carpet pad is, replacement may be necessary. If the carpet was wet for more than 48 hours it is better to replace it as the chances of mold growth are high.
If greywater was in contact with a carpet, it might be salvageable but the carpet padding would need replacement. Water damage restoration professionals should inspect the area and decide if the carpet should be saved. However, the carpet must not have been wet for more than 48 hours.
Carpets that were exposed to blackwater that is highly contaminated will need to be discarded.
Before Drying The Carpet
Any carpet in buildings exposed to any kind of water damage must be dried as quickly as possible.
First, if the source of water damage can be stopped it should be done.
The room must be cleared of furniture and items to be able to dry the carpet.
Movement and traffic over the carpeted area must be kept to a minimum, as this will dirty it, and wet carpets are fragile and susceptible to more damage.
Drying A Wet Carpet
If the carpet is minimally damp from clean water, owners can try to dry it themselves. This should be attempted only for carpets that were wet for less than 48 hours.
- First water extraction should be done. If the carpet was submerged in water, a submersible pump and a specialized wet vacuum must be used. If the water didn’t soak the carpet, a wet vacuum may suffice. It is important to know that normal home vacuum cleaners are not suitable for this.
- Absorbent towels can be used to soak up residual water. If water is still present in excess, professionals should handle the water-damaged carpet.
- The carpet should be dried. Fans and dehumidifiers help with air circulation and evaporation.
- Carpet padding can be replaced to ensure water damage mitigation. Any moisture retained in the carpet padding beneath will cause mold growth which will spread to the carpet.
After water damage to a building, carpets should be handled by a professional water damage restoration company. The personnel is trained and have experience in identifying water damage, determining the extent of damage, and carrying out restoration efficiently and safely. They also have specialized industrial equipment that ensures water extraction, dehumidification, and drying are done thoroughly and as quickly as possible. Proven Restoration LLC in Texas also offers mold remediation services. Their expertise will aid in identifying any potential complications of water or flood damage are identified and prevented. Water damage restoration and mold remediation services can be availed in Houston, Texas by contacting Proven Restoration LLC at (713) 906-5133.
