How to Fix or Save a Water Damaged Carpet

One of the most difficult and possibly expensive inconveniences a homeowner can face is a carpet that has been flooded. Luckily there is a chance that your carpet could be saved depending on how the damage occurred and how quickly you are able to deal with the situation.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Determine if the Water is "Sanitary" or "Unsanitary".
   
   Sanitary water is usually water that comes from a broken pipe or excess rain. This is the best of all scenarios and you should be able to save your carpet if acting quickly enough.
   
   Unsanitary water can come from a backed up toilet bowl that had urine in it, dishwasher water or even water that has come from a broken water bed. There is a decent chance that a carpet under these circumstances can be saved, but a disinfectant must be used for health reasons and attending to it and having it dry within a 12 hour time period is imperative.
   
   "Black water" which can occur if you had a backed up sewer line that contains waste or even excess sea water must be discarded as soon as possible due to dangerous bacteria that can cause serious health problems.

2. Stop The Flow of Water
   
   Locate where the water is coming from and stop the water flow as soon as possible. In some cases you might need to hire a licensed plumber if it has to do with a broken pipe, but ask them over the phone if they can help you locate your main water valve if you do not know where it is on your own so you can shut if off as soon as possible.

3. Minimize Foot Traffic
   
   Keep foot traffic on the wet carpet to a minimum. Excessive traffic on a wet carpet can cause delamination and weaken the latex that holds the primary and secondary backings together.

4. Remove All Furniture
   
   Remove or at least raise on blocks all furniture that is sitting on the wet carpet.

5. Call In The Experts
   
   If the carpet is expensive it is recommended that you call in a professional restoration technician as soon as possible.

6. Disinfect The Carpet.
   
   If doing this on your own, be sure to apply a carpet disinfectant as soon as possible. You can pick this up from your local Home Depot or hardware store, or make your own by combining a few tablespoons of bleach with a gallon of water. Be sure to have adequate ventilation in your room however because of the fumes. Also understand that there is a good chance that the disinfectant will destroy any stain resistant treatments of the carpet.

7. Get It Dry.
   
   Gather together as many fans as possible. Regardless if the water is "sanitary or "unsanitary" it is imperative that you get the carpet as dry as possible in the first 12 hours to avoid bacteria and fungi growth. In cases of high humidity areas you might even want to put a dehumidifier in the area to help dry it out as well.
   
   Keep these fans going for at least two days. If however, you find that the carpet is still severely damp after 12 hours, you might want to consider getting rid of it altogether due to future health concerns.

[mikes197131]

on 8/2/2009 Great advice, I have had this happen before, now if it happens again, I will be prepared.

[sonni57]

on 7/30/2009 Good advice on how to fix water damaged carpet you do what you can.