How do you clean wet carpet

How do you clean wet carpet caused by water damage. Need to learn what to do? This article will teach you how to remove the water and wet under pad. It will also teach you how to clean the wet carpet. You will also learn when the carpet is not savable.

First step is to get the water turned off, to stop the cause of flooding.

First of all, protect your furniture from sitting on the wet carpeting. It is best to move it out of the wet area. This will also get it out of your way besides this can prevent stains from furniture legs. Another thing you want to do, is remove any items on the carpet that may cause staining.

What equipment do you need?

Next you want to remove water from carpeting as soon as possible, a wet vacuum. Weighted machines like a carpet cleaning machine works well in water removal. Vacuums with a light wand and nozzle is ok for removal of heavy surface water but not from carpeting.

If you don’t have a wet vacuum with a weighted wand. I don’t like recommending this however if you are in an urgent need to get the water out. You can rent a carpet cleaning machine for small floods. However it is NOT designed for flood work. Be careful not to overflow the water pick up container. It is on the small side for doing flood work. You do not want to damage the machine, because you will have to pay for it. Rental companies may have larger machines available for you can rent. If there is a lot of water and you have insurance I recommend you have them send a restoration company out to remove the water.

Wet padding must be removed and discarded after the water has been removed.

Special note: When water is up to a wall, always check the other side of the wall. To do this you need to pull the carpeting and pad back. Water can run out the other side of the wall wetting another room. Because water can travel under the carpet wetting the pad but not the carpeting. That’s why you have to pull it back to check.

How do you remove wet carpet under padding?

While using a regular pair of pliers, gently pull up the outer edges of carpeting at the wall. You are using pliers because the tack strips are very sharp. They call them devil sticks for a reason.

Hopefully you are only going to do this type of work once, so forget about buying the special tools available. Doorways with metal strips, just use a large screw driver or strong dull blade. Work it under the folded over top section and slowly pry up and down a little at a time. From one end of strip to the other until the folded section is free of the carpet.

Once done, pulling upward will release carpeting from strip. Roll carpeting back to allow removal of wet padding.

Using a water removal floor nozzle. Vacuum flooring that was under the wet carpeting, removing as much water as possible.

Lay carpeting back down after pad and water removal. Vacuum the carpeting again, because there is still going to be water in the carpeting.

Wet padding should always be replaced.

Check the carpet for damage. If the carpeting is not separating or stained, it maybe savable.

Carpet that is already moldy and mildew needs to be removed and discarded.

When handling moldy carpeting or other moldy items, wear mask and gloves.  

If the backing is separating from the carpet pile, it should be replaced. Don’t let anyone tell you it is ok to just re-glue the edges, it is not.

How do you dry wet carpet?

High volume squirrel cage fans, blowing under the carpet will help lift the carpet off the floor. This allows air flow under the wet carpet. To help draw the moisture out of the home also use Dehumidifiers. If weather permits, run the air conditioner it also helps.

How do you install new padding?

Make certain the carpet and the flooring are dry, this is a must.

Cut padding so it is ¼” inch to a ½” inch away from the tack strips. If it is too close to the tack strips when you set the carpet. The padding will stretch, covering the tack strip not allowing the carpet to hold.

Padding needs to be taped together. 2” masking tape works well. If not taped the pad will move when you vacuum. This will cause lumps under the carpet.

What tools do you need to reinstall the carpet?

You will need a carpet kicker, a hammer and a screw driver. You may also need a stretcher for large rooms, to do it correctly.

When you put the carpet on the tack strips, tap lightly with the hammer. This will help the tack strips hold the carpet in place. Take the screw driver and run it between the tack strip and the wall, pushing the loose pile down.

How do you clean wet carpet?

Be aware of cleaning methods that use high pressure forcing water directly into the carpet. Many steam machines work this way and will rewet the padding. A good machine will use a fair amount of water; however, it will pick most of it back up. Water is directed towards the brush which is next to the vacuum suction. This method does not give the water time to soak the backing of the carpet. Equipment does have to moving at a even pace, not fast and not to slow.

What shampoo to use

When you have no mold or odors, you can use regular carpet shampoo with a low PH rating. A PH in balance can cause browning (brown/orange discoloration). Especially if the carpet takes too long to dry. Some rental equipment companies, have carpet shampoo you can purchase. You can also buy carpet shampoo from a janitorial store. If the water has been sitting and there is an odor, while there are chemicals to help remove the odor. I would recommend replacement.

Keep in mind, whenever you are going to clean carpet always vacuum first. This you have already done with the water removal process.

When cleaning the carpet. raise up on the carpet cleaner handle a little. This forces the front of the machine (vacuum section) against the carpet. Reason for doing this, it gets you the maximum vacuum power to remove the most water.

When completely dry, furnishing can be put back in place.

How to check vinyl flooring for water damage?

It is common in a water damage claim to see vinyl flooring raise up around the edges. The installer did not apply glue close to the edge trying to avoid getting glue on the cabinets.

If this is the case it is an easy fix. With flooring under the vinyl dry, using a hair dryer, not a heat gun. Warm the vinyl and slowly pull back, allowing room to apply glue under the vinyl. Press the vinyl back down and press out any air bubbles, wipe access glue off.

An exception to gluing the vinyl, would be when the cabinets have swollen and forcefully pushed up the vinyl. Vinyl that raises up in the middle, should be replaced.  

Do you have wood floor damage?

While there are many different types of wood flooring.

Floors you see and walk on, we will call finished floors.

Other floors covered with carpet or vinyl etc. We will call unfinished floors.

Generally, wood flooring that has buckled should have that section cut out and replaced. Unfinished floor is not that difficult. Remove bad section, then using special braces attach to the beams to support the new piece. Cut new piece to match cut out section and install.

Braces are at most of the bigger hardware stores.

Finished wood floors.

New piece has to blend in to the existing flooring. The age of the floor and its wear, and what type of wood used. Also thickness and stain. Makes for a bit of a challenge, but can be done.

Bookmark https://watermitigationadvice.com you will find other helpful post covering smoke and water damage issues and what to do. I recommend water damage prevention to help avoid problems like this in the future. If you don’t see what you are looking for click on blog in upper right corner. All the post are getting updates as we fine tune the site and new post are being added.

In Closing

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