Small events such as a damaged pipe or large events such as a hurricane can cause thousands of dollars of damage to a home. Unfortunately, the majority of homeowners do not carry flood insurance, and most insurance companies will not cover this type of damage. This means that many people are on their own to figure out how to clean up the damage.
The following instructions should help you clean and dry carpet that sanitary water has spilled on. If you have had a flood of unsanitary water, such as damage caused by a leaking sewer pipe, you will need to contact a professional to clean the carpet. For the best results, start the clean-up process within 12 hours of the initial flood.
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Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Start Soaking
Start by soaking up as much of the water as possible using old towels. Avoid using new colored towels that might bleed dye onto the carpet.
Step 2: Pull the Carpet
Pull up the carpet starting at the tack strip along the edge of the carpet. Ideally, start at the edge closest to the majority of the water. Be careful not to tear the carpet during this process.
Step 3: Remove Carpet Padding
Remove all of the carpet padding as well as the tack strips. Carpet padding molds quickly and cannot be saved. Fortunately, it is not too expensive to replace (look for deals at your local home improvement store). In the case of a large flood and/or water that has stood in the area for a prolonged time, you may also want to pull up and throw away the tack strips. These strips are made of wood, and can mildew easily since they are next to impossible to get completely dry.
Step 4: Raise Carpet From Sub Floor
Raise the carpet away from the sub floor. Some people like to use wooden stakes, but others find that laying it on top of several 2 x 4 pieces of wood works better. Allow plenty of ventilation into the room, and use fans and dehumidifiers to remove all the moisture.
Step 5: Lay Down New Carpet Padding
Once the carpet is completely dry store it in another location, and lay down the new carpet padding and tack strips. Be sure to avoid any gaps or bubbles while laying out the padding.
Step 6: Spray Disinfectant
Spray a disinfectant, such as Lysol, on the underside of the now-dry carpet. This will help minimize the growth of mold or mildew in the carpet. You may also want to use this opportunity to treat any stains or spots that are visible on the carpet.
Step 7: Re-tack, Vacuum and Shampoo
Re-tack the carpets to the tack strips along the edge of the carpet area. Once secured, vacuum and shampoo the carpets to remove any dirt or mildew that is still trapped by the fibers.
Hello, i am John and have over ten years experience in water damage clean up, water damage restoration and water damage mold. During my career i noticed that a lot of homeowners are uninformed about water damage and it's consequences. This site provides you with how-to guides and lots of information on water damage and everything what's involved.