From leaks in the ceiling to floods from toilet overflows, to dropping a full pitcher of lemonade, wet carpet happens to everyone, even carpet cleaning specialists! If you own a home, you have probably already had the pleasure of dealing with a soaked carpet. It needs to be handled right away, or else stains and discoloration will quickly set in.
If not handled immediately, stubborn odors may remain. At worst, moisture left in your carpet will turn into a haven for molds, and other pathogens, which can affect your family’s health. However, if you know how to best handle the situation when it happens, you can minimize the damage caused to your carpet. Here are some tips from the experts in carpet cleaning. With these helpful tips, you’ll know what to do as soon as the liquid hits the floor:
Assess the Damage to Your Carpet
Depending on the type of liquid damage, it may not be worth recovering at all. Carpet cleaner experts have set 3 different classes of liquids to determine whether it is best to call for a carpet cleaning service, or a new carpet salesperson!
White Water:
Clean water, sometimes called sanitary or ‘white’ water, is water that comes from a clean source. Leaky pipes, rainwater, or spills from large containers like pitchers are considered whitewater sources. This water poses no risks to your health. If your carpet has been soaked by whitewater, the carpet is definitely still salvageable. You should take immediate steps to dry the water and deodorize your carpet. However, depending on the size of the leak or the spill, you may need help from a professional carpet cleaning service.
Grey Water:
This is water that came from appliances like dishwashers and washing machines. It can also come from large spills of liquids like milk, juice, soda, and soups. Greywater may contain significant chemical or biological contamination; or particles that will attract bugs, molds, and other nasties if not handled properly. Not to mention a spot that will need stain removal. If your wet carpets are due to greywater contamination, there's a chance you can still save it. However, it’s best not to take care of it yourself. You will likely need help from a professional carpet cleaner and restoration service.
Black Water:
This water comes from sewage or ground sources such as rivers, streams, and the ocean, or significant toilet and sewage overflows. Also, if you do not treat greywater properly within 48 hours, the greywater is then considered blackwater. Blackwater carries a high risk of harmful biological or chemical agent contamination. These agents contain toxins and pathogens that that can cause illness to you and your family.
If your carpet has been contaminated by blackwater, you should not attempt to restore it at all. The best option is to get rid of all the contaminated carpet as soon as possible. The longer carpet soaked in blackwater stays in your home, the more chance it has to cause illness to you and your family.
Completely Dry Out the Affected Area
If your carpet is salvageable, start the drying process by getting as much air onto your carpet as possible. If the room has windows, make sure to keep them open to distribute fresh air and help speed up the drying process. You can employ dehumidifiers to help remove moisture from both the air as well as the carpet fibers. Fans further help increase air circulation to dry out your carpet. Pointing the airflow directly at the wet floor and carpet can accelerate drying time. Wet/dry vacuums are also effective for removing large volumes of water. A professional carpet cleaning service can help you with the necessary equipment to quickly dry out your carpet. Alternatively, you can rent them yourself from water damage and smoke remediation companies.
Absorb Odors Before Drying Completely
If you allow your carpet to completely dry right away, whatever was in the liquid (like dirt, rainwater, or essence of tea or soda) will remain in the fibers. If it remains, it may stain, and make future carpet cleaning tasks much less effective. It may also leave a lingering odor after it dries. There are many ways to help remove smells from your carpet. Vinegar is effective in removing odor and potential stains from carpets. Spray it liberally onto areas of the carpet affected by the spill. Be sure not to oversaturate the area (if it is not already), since too much moisture may trigger mold to grow. Afterwards, sprinkle baking soda as you dry your carpet to further remove odors.
Finish With a Thorough Cleaning From a Carpet Cleaning Expert
Although water damage is common, it is still a nuisance to deal with. Once you’ve taken care of the majority of the damage, you’ll want to speak with a professional carpet cleaning service for the best care for your floors and rugs. And in the North Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley, there’s only one carpet cleaning service to call, and that’s Naturally Green. They use a proprietary carpet cleaning solution that is completely organic, non-toxic, and safe for use near children and pets. Their complete carpet cleaning services also include comprehensive mold remediation services. They also use advanced deodorization tools that get odors out of your carpet, and out of your home. And their low moisture carpet cleaning techniques quickly get your carpet clean and dry, for total peace of mind.
