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Water Damage Restoration: Can Carpeting Be Saved?

By: James Farkenfur

Whether water damage restoration can save your carpeting after a flood or not depends on the water source. Carpet is a very absorbent material so whatever it comes in contact with will rapidly be soaked up into the material. If it is soaked all the way through the backing material will become weak, so it is important not to walk over wet carpeting unless unavoidable.

The best chances of water damage restoration saving your home carpeting comes when the water source is clean and toxin free. If it is clean, clear water such a toilet overflow with no waste present or the overflow of a bathtub, it is likely that water damage restoration will be successful.

The first step of water damage restoration is to soak up any excess water that is the carpet. This needs to be done immediately so that the carpet dries as quickly as possible. Anything over twelve hours increases the chances that wet carpet will develop bacteria that could become a health risk to anyone in the home, especially children, the elderly, and pets.

Do not use your regular vacuum cleaner to soak up water. You want to use a wet vacuum that is intended for use on wet carpeting, or you can always hire a professional company skilled at effective water damage restoration to bring your carpet back to life in the shortest time period possible.

To start the drying process of water damage restoration, take the carpet up from the tracks and throw out the wet padding beneath. Bacteria and mold will collect in the padding so it must be replaced with all new material. To help it dry as fast as possible, lift it up as high as possible and use fans to circulate the air in the room.

It is highly suggested that you apply a disinfectant to the top of the carpet, even though the source was clean water.

In the case of unclean waters such as a water bed mattress that is busted open or overflow from a dishwasher in most cases it is best to simply replace the carpet. There are a lot of diseases, parasites, and bacteria in these water sources that could affect the health of your entire family.

If you decide to try water damage restoration on carpeting that was flooded with unclean water, be extremely careful touching the carpet with bare hands until it is sanitized. Make sure to use a disinfectant that is strong enough to kill most bacteria that may have been present in the water. Remember that you have to replace the padding underneath the carpet no matter what.

With any unclean water source you want to steam the carpet in addition to the steps listed for clean water sources. This will help kill off the bacteria that could have been in the water source.

If you are dealing with a sewage backup you really should replace the carpeting. Sewage is highly toxic and can bring very dangerous parasites and diseases into your home and there really is no way to completely sanitize it to eliminate all risk of human sickness.

Article Source: http://www.bluearticles.com


James Farkenfur distributes information on water damage issues for Cleveland Water Damage Repair and Columbus Water Damage Restoration

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