You can save a carpet that is damaged by flood if it is soaked in clean flood water. Taking prompt action to clean a carpet is important in order to prevent mold from growing. It only takes a bit of water for the mold to grow and they can spread to other places fast. Wet carpet provides the right environment for the mold to breed. This is why it is important to quickly salvage the carpet after a flood has occurred.
On the other hand, if the carpet is soaked in contaminated water, you should dispose of it as it contains a high number germs even after you have washed it. If you are reluctant to dispose it, you can hire a professional to clean it. Many flood restoration companies do offer carpet cleaning services for carpets that have been damaged by a flood. Prior to going to the flood restoration company, make sure you check with the insurance company to see if it include coverage for carpet cleaning
If you decide to clean the carpet yourself, you have to bring it out to wash it. Small rugs can be easily washed in a washing machine. You only need bleach, fan, brush and detergent to clean the carpet. Cleaning a carpet that is soaked in flood water can be exhausting as you have to keep on scrubbing it. Once you have scrubbed it, you must wash away the foam and dry it. Using an extraction machine or floor dryer can speed up the drying process of the carpet. It is important to have the carpet cleaned fast as delaying can cause the mold to spread. Exposure to mold spores can put your health at risk. It can cause skin rashes, fever or lung problems.
It is not recommended to clean the carpet indoor as the moisture can seep into the flooring. If the carpet is too heavy and you can’t remove it, you must quickly dry it with fan otherwise the mold will quickly grow. You can turn on the fan for 24 – 48 hours to dry it. When the carpet is dry, it will be easier to relocate it outside the house. Once it is dried under the sun, you can now begin to shampoo it. After shampooing it, you must dry it under the sun. When the carpet is dried, you can vacuum it to get rid of all the dust.
Wet carpets always have a musty smell. The musty smell is the sign that there are bacterias breeding on it. To reduce the musty smell, you can continue to dry it under the sun for a few more days. Alternatively, you can sprinkle some baking soda on it and leave it overnight. The baking soda will absorb away the musty smell. In the morning, you can vacuum up the baking soda and sprinkle new baking soda on it again in the opposite direction.
