Do you want to dry your flooded basement carpet? Here are a few things you need to do.
A flooded basement is quite common in many homes. Basement flooding often takes place due to the oversaturation of the ground around your home, sewer backup or a broken sum pump. Whatever the source may be, flooding can have many negative consequences. For instance, it can weaken the structure of your home and ruin all your belongings. Hence, you should do everything you can to protect your belongings from water damage after a flood.
Carpets are usually unsalvageable after a flood but this usually depends upon the magnitude of damage. However, the same can’t be said about the padding underneath your carpet. If your basement carpet has suffered water damage, it acts as a big sponge and absorbs the water. This can damage the padding underneath. Therefore, you must dispose of the padding under your carpet as quickly as possible after a flood. If the water damage was not as severe, here is what you can do to dry your flooded basement carpet.
Remove Water From Basement
After your basement has been flooded, the best thing you can do is remove the water. To remove the maximum amount of water, you can use vacuums and pumps. Make sure all the stagnant water is removed. Then use a wet-dry vacuum over the moist carpet, under there isn’t a drop of water left.
Dry the Room
The furniture from your water-damaged basement should be removed from the basement. Only after the furniture has been removed can you dry the basement completely. To increase ventilation and the flow of air into the basement, you can use fans and dehumidifiers. To increase the natural flow of air, open the doors and windows if possible. You can also turn the AC on. Doing so, you will reduce the amount of moisture in the air.
Dry the Carpets
Afterward, remove the carpet immediately and discard the wet padding underneath it. Doing so will allow the subfloor to dry completely, thus preventing more damage. Spread the rug on chairs and tables in the form of a tent. This technique will dry your carpets quickly.
Clean and Deodorize the Carpet
Before you clean the carpets, you need to make sure that they are dry. Water damage restoration professionals, like the ones in our company, conduct comprehensive tests to figure out whether or not the carpets are completely dry or not. After that, they clean and deodorize your carpets. Remember that after the carpets are cleaned and disinfected, they shouldn’t be used for at least 24 hours.
If you want to salvage your water-damaged carpets, make sure not to skimp on any of the tips mentioned above. To prevent water damage and mold growth, make sure you contact a professional water damage restoration company.