Your home or office will experience water damage at some point. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed in the face of a disaster, more so when dealing with the aftermath. Major floods are likely to cause massive losses, but even a simple leak that goes unnoticed can gradually deteriorate your home and office and cost just as much.
Whenever water damage occurs, your flooring usually takes a huge bulk of the burden. Carpet flooring is especially susceptible to water damage. Learn what your options are and how to deal with water-damaged carpets after a flood.
How to Know If You Have a Wet Carpet
Carpets can get wet due to heavy rain, a roof leak, a sewer backup, or a malfunctioning washing machine. Wet carpets aren’t always obvious. Look for these signs:
- A bad odor coming from the carpet
- Discoloration in some carpet sections
- Allergies
- Mold growth
Homes aren’t always designed to handle a large flood, so most of the water can get soaked up by carpets and floors.
Types of Water that Can Flood Your Carpets
There are three (3) types of water that can cause damage, as designated by the IICRC (the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification):
CATEGORY 1: CLEAN WATER
- Category 1 water is that which escapes from a clean and sanitary source, such as faucets, toilet tanks, and drinking fountains.
- However, Category 1 can quickly become Category 2 water damage if not dealt with right away.
CATEGORY 2: GRAY WATER
- Gray water is water that is contaminated with chemical, physical, or biological elements or water that travels through another material, such as insulation or drywall, which may cause illnesses.
- Gray water that remains untreated for more than 48 hours can turn into Category 3.
CATEGORY 3: BLACK WATER
- Black water contains bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens and is grossly unsanitary, causing severe sickness and even death if ingested.
- Category 3 water can come from sewer backups, flooding from rivers or streams, toilet overflows, and stagnant liquid that has begun to support the growth of bacteria.
What Can Flood Damage Do to My Carpets?
- Stains/discoloration – Dirt and other contaminants from the water can settle on the surface of your carpet, thus marking or staining it.
- Weakening of the fabric – When your carpet has been soaked for a long time, fibers become weak and cause the carpet to tear easily.
- Mold growth – Mold can grow in as little as 24 to 48 hours after water damage. If not treated immediately, it can lead to allergies and respiratory infections.
What to Do With Flooded Carpets
Remove water as quickly as possible.
- You can use a vacuum to clean up water. These are machines that are most effective in removing excess water.
- Professional restoration companies have high-grade equipment which can speed up the process of water removal. Plus, professionals know how to do it properly to avoid unnecessary damages.
Use fans to speed up carpet drying.
- It takes several days to dry a water-damaged carpet. The good news is that fans also help circulate fresh air.
Dehumidifiers can be used to dry out the room.
- These machines remove excess dampness, make the air cooler, and limit mold spores from growing.
- ServiceMaster of Savannah makes use of industry-grade dehumidifiers to dry your property quickly.
Steam clean carpet.
- Steaming carpets are done to properly sanitize and deodorize.
- A water-damaged carpet padding must be replaced. A professional can do this for you.
Clean walls and baseboards.
- Anything that is harmed by a storm should be cleaned and sanitized. You can do these with the use of water and soap, or better, you can contact a professional to do it the correct way.
Check furniture.
- Look for water damage and remove furniture from wet flooring.
- Water damage can easily be hidden underneath rugs and carpets.
Schedule a Carpet Cleaning Appointment in Savannah, Georgia after Water Damage
ServiceMaster of Savannah is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (912) 244-6966. You may also schedule an appointment by connecting with us online. We provide water damage restoration services to residential and commercial properties in Savannah, Georgia, and surrounding areas.
- IICRC Certified Firm in Savannah, Georgia
- Experienced, knowledgeable, and dependable technicians
- State-of-the-art equipment and industry-grade cleaning solutions
- Latest practices and methods
Don’t know what to do next? We do. Contact us today. Our office is located at 222 E Lathrop Ave, Savannah, GA 31415.
