Why You Need to Clean Water-Damaged Carpets Immediately After Floods

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Whether you live in a flood-prone area or your home is next to a creek, the risk of flooding is now quite high. And with the increasing frequency of floods in recent years, it’s becoming common to see carpets and other flooring get damaged by water. However, they can be very difficult to repair once they’ve been exposed to so much moisture. If you’ve been through a flood, you know what a hassle it is to clean water-damaged carpet.

The good news is that there are a number of things you can do to help keep your carpets as clean and fresh as possible after flooding. After all, who wants to spend money replacing their favourite carpet every time it gets soaked? 

Even if you don’t have carpets in your house, you probably have things like rugs on the exterior of your building. It doesn’t matter how well-sealed your home is — if the outside world can access it via an exposed crawlspace or basement, the chance that water will get inside it at some point could still be high.

Why Cleaning Water-Damaged Carpets Is Important for Your Health?

Flood damage on carpets, rugs and upholstery can be a serious health concern. Not only it is unsanitary, but it also produces a bad smell that might be linked to mould and mildew growth. 

When it takes too long to address the issue of water-damaged carpets and you walk around these potential mould and mildew carpets, you get to inhale spores that can trigger allergic reactions. Water-damaged carpets should be cleaned as soon as possible to prevent mould and mildew growth. They should also be dried thoroughly before storing or re-using them. 

If not immediately cleaned, water-damaged carpets can also accelerate the deterioration of wood flooring underneath them and cause it to warp and crack over time. 

The Hazards of Moisture on Porous Materials Like Carpets

Carpets are made from a wide variety of materials, including wool and synthetic fibres. Wool is the most common material for carpets because it’s durable and absorbs water well. Synthetic materials are also used in carpets to create texture, patterns and colour. Carpets can also be made from recycled fibres to reduce waste. 

Different types of carpets have different properties that make them suitable for different uses. For example, low-pile carpets are best suited for use on stairs because they’re easier to vacuum than high-pile carpets. 

The type of carpet you have will determine how well it resists water damage. Wool carpets are the most resistant to water, whilst synthetic carpets are the least resistant. If your carpet is made from a blend of materials, it will be somewhere in the middle.

When your carpet gets wet, it can take on a musty smell. This is because water encourages the growth of mould and mildew. If you don’t dry your carpet out quickly, these fungi can cause permanent damage and even respiratory problems.

The Role of Professional-Grade Cleaning Materials

When it’s time to clean the damage caused by the flood, your regular detergent is not enough to clean your carpets. You need professional or commercial-grade cleaning materials that are specifically manufactured for deep cleaning your carpet. 

When it comes to carpet and flood damage, here is a list of helpful tools for cleaning carpets after being soaked in flood water.

1. Wet/dry vacuum

  • The best way to dry a wet carpet is to use a wet/dry vacuum. This type of vacuum can remove both the water and the moisture from your carpet. This will also remove any dirt or debris that’s been left behind. 

2. Carpet extraction machine

  • This sucks all the water from your carpet for easy clean-up.

3. Fans

  • You can also use fans to dry your carpet. Place the fans around the perimeter of the room and point them towards the centre. This will help circulate the air and consequently speed up the drying process.

4. Steam cleaner 

  • If you have a steam cleaner, you can use this to sterilise your carpet and kill any remaining mould or mildew.

5. Air movers

  • These blow air right onto the surface of your carpet. They force the water to evaporate quickly, which will result in a faster drying action on your carpet.

6. Waterproof boots

  • Avoid getting your feet soaked in flood water before retrieving any of your water-damaged carpets. These waterproof boots will protect you from contaminants in the water, as well as electricity that might still be flowing from a submerged outlet or extensions. 

7. Buckets

  • It wouldn’t hurt to get a few buckets whilst on a cleaning spree after a flood. This will help you gather dirt, cloth rags or even water to thoroughly dry your home.

8. Dehumidifiers

  • Dehumidifiers collect water molecules in the air and store them in its tank. This is highly effective when used together with an air mover.

9. Commercial-grade disinfectant and cleaner

  • Get a solution that does both cleaning and disinfection. Commercial-grade cleaner can eliminate dirt and debris from the flood water, such as soil or contaminants that have seeped on your carpet. 

Final Thoughts

Flooding is unpredictable. If you are living in a flood-prone area, it might be best to invest in the right cleaning tools to save yourself from throwing away precious things, such as carpets. Without the help of these tools, your carpet may end up developing mould or mildew, which can be hazardous to your health. We hope that this article has helped you understand why you need to clean water-damaged carpets after a flood.

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