You should suppose that both the floodwater and your carpet are polluted with infectious germs. When handling a sewage-contaminated carpet, rubber gloves should be worn. Ensure that you continue to wash your hands with soap and water while handling the carpet. If a carpet has been submerged for days or weeks in sewage-contaminated flood water, it may need to be thrown. It will be challenging to clean damp carpets and prevent mildew and odor problems even with your best efforts.
How can you clean your flooded carpet?
Learn more about what to do when your carpet becomes wet and how to prevent further damage by reading this page.
Soak Up All Moisture in the Carpet
Place large, absorbent towels over the wet areas and walk over them to aid in absorption. Allow the towels to soak for about 30 minutes, and then replace them when they are completely drenched. A second alternative is to use a wet vacuum. They are affordable and also available for rental. Consider contacting professional carpet cleaners for assistance if your damp carpet is significantly saturated.
Activate Fans, Air Conditioners, and Windows
While the towels absorb most of the water, you must circulate air around the room. Turn on any ceiling fans or freestanding fans to circulate air across the moist area. If you have an air conditioner, you should also turn it on. Additionally, open windows enhance airflow throughout the space. This can help eliminate any musty odors accumulated in the room due to the wet carpet.
Rent or Purchase a Dehumidifier
Dehumidifiers are excellent for usage in moist and mold-prone spaces. If you live in an area prone to flooding or your home frequently has leaks, a dehumidifier will assist remove excess moisture and prevent mold growth.
Have Your Rugs Steam-Cleaned
Professional carpet steam cleaning is performed at a temperature so high that it kills any pollutants in the carpet. Even if you dry-clean a carpet after it has been wet, bacteria may remain in the carpet’s fibers. Steam cleaning from companies like PuroClean will be able to reach and eliminate these nasties, including mold spores.
Use Baking Soda to Eliminate Trapped Humidity
For smaller areas of damp carpet, a home treatment such as baking soda is beneficial. After absorbing the majority of the moisture with towels, sprinkle baking soda over the affected areas and let sit for approximately 30 minutes. Any remaining baking soda should be vacuumed away, and your carpets should be rather clean.
Have Professionals Evaluate Assess Your Carpet Padding
If your carpet has absorbed a significant amount of water, the padding underneath may have been harmed. Disaster cleanup companies can determine whether or not your carpet padding requires replacement. Again, if carpet padding is kept wet, this can lead to mold formation and poor indoor air quality.
Conclusion
If your carpet poses a safety danger to you or your family, or if the extent of the work, such as ripping it up, drying it out, etc., is beyond your skill set and schedule, it’s better to hire a professional. An additional advantage of employing a licensed and bonded professional is that they can provide a form of warranty against mold growth in the future.
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