Can Wet Carpet Be Saved?
Can Wet Carpet Be Saved?
Water damage from burst pipes, water leaks, or heavy rainfall can lead to mold growth in your home. Wet carpet can become the perfect breeding ground for mold infestation, so it’s important to know what to do if you experience water damage. Here are a few things to remember to help you deal with the situation. 
Assessing the Damage
The first step is assessing how bad the damage is in your home and which areas have been affected. It’s also important to determine what type of water caused the damage in the affected area. While Category 1 can still cause significant damage, the water itself is not dangerous for you to come into contact with. Category 2 or 3 often contains pollutants or chemicals that can be harmful to you and your family.
The category of water involved, as well as how long the carpet has been wet will be the two major factors in whether or not the carpet can potentially be salvaged.
You should contact your insurance provider right away, so that they can send a claims adjuster to make a detailed report of the damage. You will also want to reach out to a professional water damage restoration company.
Extracting the Water
Water extraction needs to begin as quickly as possible, since mold can begin to grow as quickly as 24 to 48 hours after the damage occurs. In addition, water in your carpet can damage walls, furniture, and more. Calling a professional water damage restoration company right away can help you avoid additional damage and ensure the greatest chance of salvaging your carpet. Time is of the essence.
HEPA vacuums and air scrubbers can also be effective tools for dealing with water damage in your carpets. HEPA vacuums are specially made to de-moisturize your carpets and extract the excess moisture from your carpeting.
Drying Out the Carpet
Once the excess moisture has been removed from your carpet, drying out the carpet is the next step. This won’t be as simple as taking some towels to the carpet and absorbing the moisture, because mold can grow deep within the carpeting. Fans and dehumidifiers can help to reduce the moisture in your carpets.
Just as when extracting the water initially, you should take care that you are protected from the harmful effects of mold. Water should be thoroughly extracted before attempting to dehumidify and dry areas of your carpet since ventilation systems can circulate mold spores throughout the air.
If you’re unsure if you’ve done a thorough extraction, contact a water damage remediation company for assistance.
Risks to Consider
As with any damage in your home, there can be plenty of risks you should take into consideration before deciding to tackle a mold problem by yourself. Dealing with mold on your own can cause various health problems related to your breathing and regulatory system. People with bad asthma or allergic reactions to mold should not attempt to clean mold themselves and instead contact a mold removal service. Black mold, in particular, can be dangerous, and you should not attempt to clean black mold on your own.
While you may be able to tackle a very small area of mold growth on your own, particularly if it is on a non-porous surface, larger areas should be handled by mold removal professionals. Personal protective equipment like mold, protective goggles or glasses, and gloves should be worn whenever dealing with mold. It’s also important to consider that there may be hidden mold growth that is not visible to you, particularly on porous materials such as carpet and padding, wood, or sheetrock.
The AdvantaClean Advantage
If you’re dealing with mold in your home, let the professionals at AdvantaClean help! With over 20 years in the mold remediation industry, our experts have the knowledge and equipment to deal with all your mold removal needs. We also offer emergency restoration services for homes affected by water damage related to hurricanes, rain storms, and winter storms. Contact AdvantaClean today to learn how AdvantaClean can make your home healthier.
