Thankfully, there are a number of things you can do to combat the effects that flooding can have on your carpets if you move fast and take action as quickly as possible. Whether you have had a leak in your home that has started to affect your carpeting, or even if it is all the effect of the weather, keep a few of the following tips in mind to get your carpets nice after the carpet drying process after flooding.
Carpet Drying Process :
Thankfully, if you’re the DYI type and would like to try and get your carpets dried on your own, you can get it done by following a few steps carefully. It’s easy to get these steps done with some assistance from a friend or family member if you’re choosing to go the do-it-yourself route, though you could probably get it done on your own as well, as long as you’re careful. Granted – it might take a little bit longer, going it alone.
No matter how you choose to do it, keep these steps in mind to get the job done:
1. Begin by getting the moisture out of your carpets.
The first thing you are going to want to do is to make sure all of the dampness is absorbed out of your carpet. Take a few large towels, and place them carefully over the affected wet areas. You might consider stepping on them to flatten them out and aid in quickening the absorption process. Take about half an hour to let them soak the moisture up, and then swap them out and repeat the process a few times to absorb as much of the water out of the carpet as possible.
If you have one, you can also utilize a wet vacuum. Not only can these be obtained relatively inexpensively, but you can also rent one if you really need to. Having a wet vac on hand can really hasten the process when it comes to getting a job of this caliber.
2. Airing out wet carpet.
After you finished to carpet drying out thoroughly, the next thing you need to do is start getting the room aired out. Turn on any ceiling fans you may have in the room where your carpets are, and consider placing a few standing fans around the room if you have access to any.
Another easy way to get air flowing in the room is to open any windows that may be around it. If you have an air conditioner, turn it on to begin pushing the air around the area more quickly. All of this air flowing around is going to be a good way to rid the area of any of those “musty” odors that may have begun to build up as a result of the damp carpet, depending on how long it has been sitting.
3. Use a dehumidifier for your carpet drying.
In any situation where there is a lot of dampness, mold growth can become an issue due to all the moisture in the area. If you have a dehumidifier or access to one, consider letting it run in the area for a good amount of time to aid in the elimination of any excess moisture that might still be lingering in the air.
Not only will this get that “moist” feeling out of the room, but it will also help decrease the buildup of potential mold and mildew in the room that might have had time to thrive due to the moisture that was present. A decent dehumidifier is always going to be a good option when it comes to making sure the air is kept free of excess moisture.
4. Consider steam cleaning previously wet carpeting.
Moisture building up in the carpet can lead also create a buildup of toxins, bacteria, and other germs in the fibers of the carpet. Getting in touch with some local carpet steam cleaning professionals in your area can be a good option to help make sure all of those potential germs and toxins are killed.
This works well because steam cleaning is done at extremely high temperatures, which will certainly quickly kill any remaining bacteria, toxins, and other germs left behind in the carpet after all of the dampness is gone.
5. Get rid of any moisture trapped behind with some baking soda!
If the moisture left behind in your carpeting is not that extreme, you might think about breaking out some home remedies instead of having to resort to steam cleaning, especially if your budget might not allow for something like steam cleaning.
If the moisture left behind in your carpet was very small and did not affect other materials such as wood or drywall, then think about grabbing some baking soda to help get the job done. To use it effectively, follow these steps:
- Make sure you have absorbed as much moisture as possible with towels.
- Take your baking soda, and sprinkle it around any remaining wet areas.
- Let it set in for at least half an hour.
- After enough time has passed, vacuum it up and investigate.
If done right, your carpets should be looking and smell much better. You can also repeat this process for any parts of the carpet that look like they might still need it.
Call Chicago’s #1 Water Damage Repair Experts if You Can’t Get it Done On Your Own!
If you can’t get it done on your own, or if the amount of flooding you are dealing with is too much for home remedies to be able to cover, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us here at ProTech Restoration, Chicago’s best professional carpet cleaners in your area who can help you to give carpet drying and other services and your carpets looking and smelling brand new once again!
Flooding in your home is certainly something you’re never going to look forward to, and definitely, something you hope never happens in your house – especially when you have carpets you know you will need to dry out. Thankfully, if the unexpected does happen, you now know the team you need to call to have the situation taken care of!