Whether you’re dealing with a natural disaster or a burst pipe, dealing with waterlogged carpets is never a simple task. As a result of the seemingly immense task at hand, most people simply rip up their waterlogged floor coverings and throw them away. In many cases, this is the best (and only) option. But there are times when the right approach can save a drenched carpet from terminal mould — and the tip.
Here are the vital steps you should take the moment you realise your carpets are waterlogged. Act fast enough, and you might just save yourself a lot of money.
Get rid of the water ASAP
The faster you can remove the water, the greater the chance of saving your carpet from terminal mould. Start by using a wet-dry vacuum cleaner to suck up the excess water. You’ll probably need an industrial model with the power required to suck moisture from deep within the pile. Only when there is no excess water should you proceed to the next step. Cut corners at this point, and all your efforts will have been for nothing.
Introduce fans into the room
The key to drying out carpets quickly and preventing mould is to maximise the circulation of air in the room. And the best way to do this is with the use of powerful fans. You’ll probably need to leave them running 24 hours a day, for several days. You should be able to rent powerful fans for these types of cleanup operations from specialist hardware companies.
Set up a dehumidifier
As well as circulating fresh air around the space with fans, you should try to remove as much moisture from the air as possible. After all, and moisture in floating around will eventually find its way onto the carpet you’re trying to dry out. Use a dehumidifier to extract excess water from the air. This is crucial in your attempts to prevent an accumulation of mould on your waterlogged carpets.
Use baking soda
Despite your best efforts with a wet-dry vacuum cleaner, you won’t be able to remove all of the moisture from your carpets. However, a liberal sprinkling of baking soda should help. Cover the carpet in the powder, and leave it overnight… every night. Vacuum it up every morning, and repeat the process every day for a week. Baking soda soaks up moisture very effectively, so this is a great way to tackle the problem with the minimum of effort.
Steam clean
Once you’re certain that your carpets are completely dry, it’s a good idea to steam clean them. Yes, this might sound a little counterintuitive, but you need to kill any invisible mould spores and bacteria before they really take hold. They’ll be there, even if you can’t see or smell them.
Use a dedicated carpet steamer or a steam mop with a carpet attachment to thoroughly and systematically clean every square inch of the carpet. Because you’re reintroducing moisture into the room, make sure all the doors and windows are open. And turn on your fans and dehumidifiers again.
Sanitise skirting and walls
If the water reached skirting and walls, they will need to be cleaned too. A simple solution of dishwashing detergent and warm water should be all you need for this job. However, if you notice signs of mould, remove them immediately with either a bleach-based solution or a handheld steamer.
Monitor and maintain
It’s important not to let your guard down after treating a waterlogged carpet — even if you think you’ve saved it. Bacteria and mould spores can lie dormant deep within the pile, and it doesn’t take them long to multiply and cause serious issues. Vacuum the carpet with the most appropriate attachments twice a day, and use baking soda to absorb smells.
Check every inch of the carpet every day during the weeks after the event, and tackle any problems you find immediately. It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on furniture in the room, which might also have been affected.
Major floods caused by natural events and structural issues usually spell the end for a carpet. But if the flood was localised, there’s a chance that your fast actions could save you a trip to the local tip.