Water Damage DIY Quick Tips
A quick tip: the longer you have wet carpet, the more damage you are likely to have. There are a series of important steps that need to be taken immediately in the event of flooding in your home. Wet carpet is prone to serious water damage that can be harmful to the state of your home and the health of your family. Of course, we recommend contacting a professional in the occurrence of a flood, but there are also several steps you can take to dry carpet by yourself.
Tools you will need:
- Wet Dry Vacuum
- Dehumidifier
- Fans
- Industrial Air Blower
Step 1: Accessing the Water Damage
Homeowners can dry mildly wet carpet with no problems, while other, more serious floods should be handled by a professional. The first step to caring for your wet carpet is figuring out what kind of water has flooded your home, and how serious the flood is. If the job turns out to be more than you can handle, we recommend calling Olympic Carpets as soon as possible. Having a professional dry your carpets can result in saving you thousands of dollars in water damage.
Step 2: Removing Wet Items
If the wet items you are dealing with are a small area rug or carpet, the best thing for you to do is remove it and let it air dry outside. If the water damage is wall-to-wall you may need to leave the wet carpet and dry it in its place. Make sure to remove all furniture and other items from the carpet before you start the drying process.
Step 3: Remove Excess Water
In this step you will need to use your wet-dry vacuum to remove all the excess water. Take the wet-dry vacuum and go over the damp carpeting in slow, straight lines. We recommend doing this a few times for the best results to prevent further water damage. Make sure to empty the vacuum’s canister during this process as it will become full with water.
Step 4: Open Windows and Apply Air Blowers
If water remains under the wet carpet, pick up the corners to get a better look. If the carpet pad remains damp, try using an industrial air blower. Open all the windows throughout your house to create a cross breeze. This will help increase the speed of the drying process. If it is humid outside use the AC instead. Humidity is not good for wet carpet and can further increase the amount of wet carpet and water damage.
Step 5: Run a Dehumidifier
To insure a successful drying process, keep your fans on, windows open, and run a dehumidifier throughout the night. Check the affected wet carpet the next morning for any more signs of wetness. You can press paper towels against the carpet and the padding underneath to judge whether or not any dampness remains.
Once the sub-floor is dry, reinstall the dry carpet and pad. Make sure to pay attention to walls and subfloors, as if these are overlooked the sub-floor can develop a series of secondary problems. These secondary problems can cause you more money in water damage, so it is crucial to make sure they are dry.
If you ever have any questions our team at Olympic Carpet is happy to help. We have an experienced team that will replace or clean your damaged carpet.
