Flooding Disaster Carpet Cleaning in Four Steps
August 3, 2010
One of the major problems of flooding is dealing with a wet carpet. It can be such a hassle however it is something that needs to be attended to immediately or else it could result to dire consequences, specifically to those living in the house.
Wet Carpet Problems
In a flooding disaster, carpets and floorings that have been left for days without drying could result to the growth of molds and formation of mold colonies, which can cause respiratory problems. Moreover, it could also result to you having to throw away your carpet and get it replaced, which could mean additional expenses. For this reason, it is but necessary to take it upon yourself to save your carpet, which in turn, could keep your loved ones safe and at the same time, save you money.
Steps in Saving Your Carpet
The good news is that even though it may initially seem like a daunting task, saving your carpet after a flooding disaster is not that difficult to do. Here are 4 steps to take in order to protect your carpet from further damage and ensuring that you will still be able to use it in spite of being wet.
1. Firstly, you need to make sure that you follow safety precautions. For one, you need to have safety paraphernalia including hand gloves and safety masks. Wearing these will keep you from exposing yourself to germs, viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
2. Secondly, make an assessment of the extent of damage. How wet is the carpet? If it is completely soaked, then you may need the help of a restoration service provider to dry it. There may even be times when the carpet can really no longer be salvaged due to the presence of molds on it. However, for partly wet carpets, you can simply let it out to dry under the sun, or use a vacuum cleaner and electric fan to dry it.
3. Thirdly, after the assessment, you can then proceed with the drying process. Again, for carpets that need extensive cleaning and drying, the best option is to hire professional services for everybody’s safety. Now for drying that you can do on your own, make sure that you cover every inch and corner of the carpet. Use vacuum cleaners, fans, and dehumidifiers. As another safety precaution, check the electrical outlet first to find out if it is dry and has not been affected by the flood. You may need to take the carpet out for sunlight exposure if all outlets are wet or if the carpet is too wet for the vacuum cleaner to dry.
4. Lastly, deodorize and clean the carpet. Check for any traces of dampness and mold growth and use only if none are present. If necessary, repeat the cleaning process again just to ascertain that it will not pose any health problems to anyone in the house.
