Fixing water-damaged carpet may seem like a tall task, but the water damage experts at A Personal Touch Carpet Cleaning in Littleton have the tools and the know-how to do the job. With our help, you can rest assured we’ll not only clean the carpet and salvage anything reusable, we’ll also assist with mold prevention and removal.
Let’s explore the steps we take to fix water-damaged carpet and make it healthy again.
Turn Off Your Water
If you haven’t already done so by the time our veteran service team arrives, we’ll help you locate your water turn-off valve and stop the flow of water in your house. This is specific to internal flood sources of course, i.e. a burst pipe or overflowing sink.
Confirm the Water Source
Confirming the water source is vital for determining what kind of water damage we’re dealing with. Water damage caused by an internal source, i.e. an overflowing bathtub or washing machine, is far different from damage created by an external source, for example groundwater or sewage water, also known as black water. The biggest difference is contamination. Carpet damaged by an internal source (either clean water or gray water, which includes washing machine water, dish water, and even toilet overflow water) can be salvaged, whereas black water should always be considered contaminated, and any carpet damaged by it should be thrown out.
Clear the Area and Commence Dehumidifying
Remove all furniture and other items in or around the affected area, and make sure nobody walks through. Then open all windows and doors adjacent to the water damage so that the room gets good airflow. Additionally, bring in as many fans as you can, along with a dehumidifier. The main goal here, aside from drying the carpet, is to circulate as much dry air as possible in order to inhibit bacteria and mold growth.
Remove the Padding Beneath the Carpet
Once your drying implements are in place, remove the tack strip holding the carpet down and remove all wet padding. This must be done quickly since wet padding under the carpet is exactly the kind of damp, warm environment where mold thrives. Remember to buy new padding for installation. If the area is small you might be able to do the install alone, but if the water damage is extensive it makes more sense to contact a professional carpet cleaner.
Vacuum Thoroughly and Shampoo
The next step is to thoroughly vacuum the affected area, ideally with a water-extraction vacuum since it will absorb significantly more water than a standard vacuum. Depending on how wet your carpet is, the vacuum process could take half a day or more. When the carpet is completely dry, shampoo it so that you kill any lingering fungus or bacteria. Note that if the carpet is still damp after 12 hours of vacuuming, it’s probably beyond saving and should be thrown out before mold starts growing under the carpet and beneath the floorboards. Bear in mind that the cost of new carpet is far less than the price of mold removal.
Call us today at 720-344-2870 or use our online contact form to schedule an appointment for expert water damage restoration near Littleton. Remember at A Personal Touch, “We don’t cut corners, we clean them.”
