Water Damage Carpet Care

Water Damage Carpet Care

Homeowners experiencing water seepage due to broken pipes or floods need to be concerned about mold. Mold does not require much moisture to grow and cause harm. Add a little darkness to a moist area and a mold producing environment is created.
If a homeowner is unfortunate enough to experience power outages and flooding, he or she is very susceptible to mold growth. A warm, dark, and humid environment is created in which mildew and mold thrive. The homeowner may not be aware of its presence. Carpets are porous materials that provide hiding places for contaminants.
The sooner water damage is cleaned up; the sooner mold stops growing under the carpet. Exposure to mold causes health problems for some. It irritates the lungs, throat, eyes, and nose. Breathing airborne mold triggers symptoms in people who have allergies, asthma, and hay fever. Fast action is the best way to prevent the spread of mold.

Categories of Water Damage

There are three types of water damage to carpets. Category 1 is referred to as ‘white’ or ‘clean’ water. The water pumped into the home is fresh. It may be from an overflowing sink or bathtub, broken supply line, washing machine or dishwater malfunction, or damaged faucet. For 48 hours, this water is harmless.
Category 2 is referred to as ‘gray’ water. Water that has stood for more than 48 hours is considered Category 2 water. Included in gray water are wastewater from showers, bathtubs, and sinks; discharged water from dishwashers and washing machines; and any water that has been in contact with human waste. Gray water occurs when an appliance malfunctions. It is likely contaminated and has the potential to cause health risks.
Category 3, or ‘black’ water, occurs during a flood. The primary source is sewage. It can contain chemicals from ground debris, animal waste, fertilizers, or other contaminated areas. Black water is entirely unsanitary. The toxins and organisms in Category 3 water cause disease.

 water damage house

What Can Be Salvaged?

As one can see, each water damage issue is unique. Different safety measures are taken for each category. Professionals have a range of services that cover the scope and size of every water cleanup project.
Salvaging Category 1 and 2 water damage carpets depends on how damaged the material is, not necessarily the fact that a carpet has been contaminated. All porous surfaces, contaminated by Category 3 water, should be disposed of. An antique rug, worth thousands of dollars, can be attempted to salvage by a restoration company that specialized in textile.

Equipment Used

The steps taken to salvage carpet include the following. Water remediation companies, specializing in residential flood damage, use wet/dry vacuums to clean up as much water as possible. Their machines are the most effective water removal tools. Fans will also be used to dry the water-damaged carpet completely. The fans also help with fresh air circulation.
Dehumidifiers are another device used to remove excess moisture. The air feels cooler and retards mildew and mold growth. Any equipment that dries out the air and floor surface speeds up the drying process of carpets.
When all water has been dried from the carpet, cleaning technicians will steam clean them to deodorize and sanitize them properly. Water-damaged padding almost always needs to be replaced. Replacing padding is less expensive than replacing the carpet.