Best Methods to Dry Soaked Carpets After Leaks or Floods

2/26/2021 (Permalink)

Floods and leaks are a hazard, and many people don’t like them. But what about your carpet? How does the carpet feel about leaks and floods? The answer is, not super great. Wetness on carpets can create long term damage to carpets or even make them irreparable. When a carpet is exposed to large amounts of water, it is best to start drying your carpet immediately. 

But how should you dry a carpet? Here are the steps:

1. Remove all the furniture

This will make it easier to remove the water without any obstructions. When the carpet is finally dry, and the furniture has been sitting on it, it will leave dents and ruin the carpet’s volume.

1. Pump out the water

Removing as much water as possible is a priority. Using a submersible pump is best; you can rent one from a nearby hardware store. If you cannot rent one, using a bucket is the next best option. 

1. Use a shop vac

The excess water by now should have soaked into the carpet, and the best way to remove it is through a shop vac. DO NOT use a household vacuum cleaner; it is not made for cleaning out water and poses a high chance of electrocution. 

1. Use a dehumidifier

This will help in the case of extracting more moisture from the room. 

1. Dry the carpet
1. Turn on fans 
2. Use towels 
3. Open windows 
4. Turn on the air conditioning or heat
2. Remove the padding

This is when the possibility of the padding and subfloor could have been damaged. If water has reached it, it is a better and cheaper option to just to replace the padding

1. Dry the subfloor

Use fans to dry any water that has reached the subfloor. Once dry, add more filling and place the almost dry carpet back.

1. Clean the carpet

Once the carpet is damp, clean it. Use a carpet cleaner or cleaning solution. This will remove any bacteria or dirt.