Last Updated on January 17, 2023 by Steffi Nell
When a flood occurs, there is no simple way to clear it up. But among the things that require doing, drying off a soggy carpet ranks high. If water is found in the basement, homeowners should act quickly to ensure the safety of their families and reduce the likelihood that they will require extra services, which may add up in expense.
How to clean your carpet swiftly and safely after a flood, as well as understanding when to call in a flood damage restoration Sydney expert, is outlined below.
Evaluate the Flood and Its Effects
Homeowners should analyze the damage from floods before immediately switching to dry mode, but time is of the essence in repairing flood damage. You have to figure out, specifically, if the water in your carpet is dirty, drained, or precipitation. Your home might be flooded by one of three different kinds of water.
- Rainwater or water from a broken pipe that hasn’t been exposed to other appliances or toxins is considered “clean water.”
- Water that has been used for cleaning purposes, such as that produced by washing machines and dishwashers is considered “grey water.”
- The term “black water” refers to floodwater that originates from untreated sewage, toilet backflows, or other adjacent water sources during a hurricane or other severe storm, and is most commonly seen in metropolitan areas.
If it’s grey or black water, you should get rid of the old carpet since it may be polluted and dangerous to your family’s health.
Consider Carpet Extraction as an Option
First, you should make sure it’s clean water that’s gotten into your home, and only then should you start mopping. If the water is high enough, you may want to examine the carpet’s attachment to the floor.
In A Nutshell, You Should Get To Work As Soon As Possible
If doing the drying and cleaning yourself are the best alternatives, time is of the importance. When water is allowed to lie on a carpet for too long, it can harm the subfloor and even lead to the formation of mould. Using a wet/dry shop vacuum and exerting pressure with dry towels to corner regions and hard-to-reach locations is the fastest approach to remove floodwater. If the humidity level in a room is low enough, but not too low, then you may safely turn on the fans and throw open the windows.
Inspect the Carpet
Taking off the carpet pad is necessary if your carpet has one. This is something that should be done when the water situation has been stabilized. Because of its spongy construction, your carpet pad is an ideal environment for the growth of mould and mildew. Mold and mildew will eventually grow even if you dry out the carpet on top of it. After the carpet has dried, you may either install a new pad yourself or hire a Wet Carpet Cleaning Sydney professional.
Conclusion
Carpet cleaning is a job best left to the professionals if doing it yourself will put you or your loved ones in danger, or if the task at hand is beyond the scope of your time and abilities. An added benefit to hiring a licensed and bonded pro is they can offer you a type of warranty protecting against mold growth later on.