Water Damaged Carpet Cleaning & Drying

When we think about terrible carpet stains, mud clots, pet stains and red wine are some of the first things that come to mind. Truthfully, they all pale compared to one significant yet unassuming liquid — water. Not only does water leave visible marks in our carpet fibres, but it quickly fosters bacterial growth leading to mould, fungus and lingering odours. If left to fester around our rugs and mats for longer periods, it can lead to rot, electrical problems and a loss of property value.

Thankfully, water-damaged carpets aren’t entirely unfixable. Armed with the right tools, products and systematic know-how, you can restore your floor to its former glory in just a couple of days. If you can’t do it on your own or need a helping hand, the professionals behind Jim’s Cleaning are always available to help.

Discover more about water-damaged carpets, including how it happens, how to fix it and when to know if you need a replacement. If you’re unsure whether or not you need professional help, here are some definitive reasons why it may be worthwhile.

How do carpets get water damaged in the first place?

Carpets can sustain water damage through four major events:

• Burst pipes — From broken appliances to malfunctioning machines, pipe bursts are a common way to sustain significant water damage.

• Floods — Rain is the most common culprit for flooding around our carpets. However, less conventional issues like sewer backups may also cause significant flooding.

• Spills — Whether it’s water from the dog bowl or a pitcher filled with ice, any liquid soaked into your carpet can quickly become a mould issue. Even a single glass of water can encourage spores to grow within 72 hours or less.

• Hidden leaks — Tiny cracks in the floor underneath your carpet may let water seep into your carpet. You may not see pooling water or visible flooding stains, but you’ll probably smell a musty odour or spot some mysterious growth.

What are the right steps for water-damaged carpet cleaning?

It doesn’t take much for a carpet to sustain severe water damage. That being said, saving a flooded carpet is usually possible — provided you follow the right steps.

Here are the steps needed to perform water-damaged carpet cleaning:

1. Water extraction — You must remove as much water as possible to save your carpet. Depending on the amount of flooding involved, you may need to use a bucket or pump. Smaller spills in a more contained area can be sopped up with towels, sponges or washcloths.

2. Drying up — Now that you’ve removed all excess liquid, it’s time to focus on drying your carpet. First, open a window and turn on your fans to encourage stronger airflow. Next, rent a dehumidifier and run it on high to remove moisture from the air. If you can manually remove your damaged carpet and turn it outside to dry, you can focus on drying the subfloor better by removing lingering moisture.

3. Replace padding — While the carpet may be completely salvageable, the padding beneath may be too damaged to reuse. Consider calling an installation company to remove and replace your underlay or assess the damage and determine viability with the team at Jim’s Cleaning.

You should know that all these steps apply to clean water or rainwater damage. Any flooding related to grey water (like the water used in dishwashers and toilets) may require biohazard precautions. Blackwater flooding of any kind should be left to the professionals.

How long does it take to work on drying the carpet after water damage?

Water-damaged carpets can take up to three days to dry. The process may take even longer if the damage is in a basement or windowless area. You can expedite the process of water-damaged carpet drying by working with professionals. At Jim’s Cleaning, we offer carpet water damage restoration services that assist home and business owners with emergency services in a pinch.

When to restore (or replace) water-damaged carpets

You’ve managed to get the water out of your newly damaged carpet. However, is your old carpet still viable? Or do you need to buy a new floor? Here’s how to tell whether you need to restore or replace water-damaged carpets:

• Has the water sat unattended for three days or more? Mould growth starts in 72 days, meaning your carpet is most likely ruined.

• Was the damage caused by clean, grey or black water? Carpets damaged by clean or grey water may be perfectly salvageable, but anything resembling raw sewage (i.e., black water) should be disposed of immediately.

• How old is your carpet? Newer carpets are a great fit for professional restorative services. If your floor is a bit older and already worse for wear, throwing in the towel might be your best option.

If you want more advice or an expert opinion, don’t hesitate to give Jim’s Cleaning a call. We offer two types of professional carpet cleaning — steam cleaning and dry cleaning — that can restore your floor in several hours.

Why professional carpet restoration pros may be the right choice for your carpet

Your water-damaged carpet may not look bad at first, so you might be tempted to stick with DIY. However, if you wait too long or don’t remove the moisture immediately, you might make yourself vulnerable to moulds, mildews and bacterial growth.

Professional carpet damage restoration staff may be the right choice for your situation. The experts at Jim’s Cleaning can specifically help with:

1. Assessing damage — Professionals easily distinguish between minor and severe damage and recommend a course of action based on your unique situation.

2. Cleaning solutions — Professional restoration teams are familiar with clean, grey and black water flooding and offer unique cleaning solutions to serve your needs better.

3. Drying — Professional restoration teams can dry flooded carpets in hours, lowering your risks for unwanted mould growth.

Ready to give professional carpet cleaners a try? Turn to the pros at Jim’s Cleaning! You can request a free quote for water-damaged carpet cleaning services at any time.