Repairing or Replacing Wet Carpet

6/27/2022 (Permalink)

When your home or business suffers from water damage, one of the first things you’ll have to do is decide what is repairable and what must be replaced. Since they’re on the floor, carpets are one of the main items often affected. While it is possible to repair and dry out carpeting after a water damage there are a few factors to consider in your decision.

Does the carpet have padding? – Household and sometimes office carpeting will have padding underneath it to make it more comfortable. Unfortunately, this padding can act as a sponge and make drying out the carpet difficult, as well as increase the likelihood of damage to the flooring beneath it. Luckily, you may only need to replace the padding and not the entire carpet.

What kind of water was it? – Water is classified into three categories depending on the level of contamination. These levels vary depending on the source of the water and areas affected. Water from a freshwater line or a broken pipe is typically considered category one water and is likely not contaminated, but water from a flood or a toilet backup is considered to be category 3, which is highly contaminated. Any damage done to carpeting by category three water should be cut out and replaced to ensure no harmful bacteria is left behind.

How long has the water been there? – Unfortunately, when water damage happens, the damage will continue to get worse until the water is removed. Mold can begin to grow in less than 24 hours, carpets can separate from their backing, and subflooring can begin to deteriorate. In cases where water has been left for more than a day, the best course of action is usually to replace it.

Whether you’re repairing or replacing, our SERVPRO of Richmond and SERVPRO of Henrico team can help you navigate your water damage from the initial loss all the way through repairs. Using specialized equipment, we can help you decide the level of damage done and whether or not repairs are feasible. Give us a call or fill out a form online and let us know how we can help get your life back to “Like it never even happened.”