Restoring Wet Carpet After Water Damage Wet carpet can be a huge burden on anyone. Restoration after flooding can be cumbersome and tedious, but there are a few ways to make it easier. Here are our top suggestions on how to restore that waterlogged carpet. Assessing the Damage Is Key The first step to success is to stop to evaluate your wet carpet. It will help you understand the extent of damage caused by the spill or flooding. Make sure you take note of all the affected areas and remove any large furniture or objects that might be covering parts of the flooding or spill. The wet carpet should be fully exposed before moving onto the other steps. Using the Right Vacuum Vacuuming is usually the first thing people with a wet carpet. This step is partly accurate. However, you need to make sure that you use the right vacuum before cleaning the affected area. You need to use a super-powered (typically rented) vacuum with enough power and designed to handle water. Using the right vacuum can help get as much of the moisture out of the carpet as possible. It will also help speed up the drying process significantly, and reduce the chances of mold growing. A regular vacuum or shop vac will do the trick when the carpet is dry, but rent an industrial vacuum or a hiring a crew to use tools to get as much of the water out as possible. Removal and Drying Time If the water damage is extensive, you’ll need to consider removing the wet carpet if possible. Taking the carpet up and using fans and other tools to eliminate the moisture in the room will help save the flooring as a whole. If it’s not possible to remove the carpet, then you need to make sure to give it ample time to dry. Either Way, Check the Subfloor If possible, test to see if the subfloor was affected by the flooding or the spill. Sometimes it’s easy to pry up a corner of the carpet to test the subfloor. If the subfloor is affected, call a professional to help you assess the damage and make decisions about the next steps Cleaning and Sanitizing Take the time to clean any surfaces you can access, including the subfloor. You can take this time to clean and sanitize the area, especially if you’ve removed the carpet. The best way to clean and sanitize the carpet is with a steam cleaning. It helps to remove any traces of mildew or mold that might have gotten a chance to set in. While restoring wet carpet can be a massive undertaking, saving the carpet is typically always in your best interest. There are so many tips and tricks to making sure that your carpet is clean, dry, and won’t cause mold in your home. If the process seems too daunting, then call the professionals. At Get Restoration, our experts are willing to lend a hand and their expertise to help restore your wet carpet.