WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO DRY A CARPET?

Water clean up after a flood can feel overwhelming. Not only can the damage be extensive, but making a mistake during the cleanup phase can put your family in danger. This is why it’s so important to work with professionals who understand the ins and outs of water cleanup.

One of the areas most affected when a flood occurs is the floor. Some areas are equipped to handle water exposure and won’t require much cleanup. For instance, a flood in the bathroom, laundry room, or kitchen usually isn’t as devastating as one in a living space or other carpeted area.

If there’s been a flood in your home and you need help with water cleanup, what’s the best way to dry your carpet?

Why You Need to Take Carpet Drying and Cleanup Seriously

Wet carpet poses a health risk if it’s left untreated. It’s a breeding ground for mold and other contaminants and will begin to smell bad after just a few days. The good news is if you call in a professional team of expert carpet cleaners and water restoration specialists, you’ll eventually have a safe place that’s as good as new.

The restoration process begins with carpet drying. In some cases, you might need to tear up the damaged carpet and replace it, but there are instances in which carpet affected by water damage can be fixed.

The first step a team of carpet drying professionals will take is to use professional extraction equipment to remove as much water from the carpet and padding as possible. These types of vacuums are designed to suck up water and the heavy-duty ones used by professionals do a great job of pulling moisture from your carpet.

If the water has seeped through to the padding it will likely need to be replaced. It’s not quite as durable as carpeting and since it’s sandwiched in between the floor and the carpet, there’s a greater risk for moisture getting trapped and mold to grow. To replace the padding, you’ll need to pull up your carpet, remove and dispose of the padding, and dry and sanitize the floor. Then new padding can be laid and your existing carpeting can be reinstalled once it’s completely dry.

Most homeowners opt to work with a professional team to help with the cleanup and drying phase after a flood. It’s possible to do the work on your own, but it’s time-consuming and can end up costing you more in the long-run.

Equipment for Drying Carpet

During the drying process, you’ll want to use specialized air movers and dehumidifiers to speed the time it takes to dry and to ensure all moisture is removed from the area. A professional water cleanup team will have these pieces of equipment and other devices designed to make the water removal process as efficient as possible.

In most cases, the complete drying time for carpeting will take about three to five days. You’ll want to begin the process as soon as possible after the carpet is exposed to water to prevent further damage and stop mold and any bacteria from starting to grow.

Contacting a water cleanup team after a flood is the most important thing you can do to prevent further damage and make sure the water removal and cleaning process is handled properly. If you’re dealing with water damage or need help after a flood, contact Rapid Dry Restoration at 303.710.8423.