If you have recently experienced flooding and you've ended up with a dirty, wet carpet, it is important to immediately address this situation. Delaying the restoration of a wet carpet can result not only on costly damages, but can be a hazard to the safety and health of the household as well.
Causes of flooding
Common causes of flooding are leakage from plumbing or overflow due to the failure of a sump pump. If your wet carpet has absorbed sewage water however, not only does it smell bad, it also harbors all kinds of bacteria that can be the cause of serious infection and illness.
Effects of dirty water on carpet
Prolonging the state of your wet carpet will result in mold and mildew. Bacteria from sewage water tends to hasten organic decay and cause the fibers of the carpet to deteriorate at an accelerated pace.
If your wet carpet is glued to the floor, the water will cause it to delaminate. Staining due to the breakdown of existing soil and dust is also another problem. All these combined effects will make it even harder to restore the carpet if you don't act immediately.
Your options
When cleaning a wet carpet yourself, utmost care should be used. Without the proper equipment and know-how, you might spend days drying the carpet out or worse yet, end up damaging it. If a carpet is not dried properly, it can cause shrinkage or deformation. Then you will end up spending money to stretch it out again. Selecting the right carpet cleaning product is also essential. Soap or detergent is not recommended as it leaves behind residue that attracts even more dirt.
Cleaning a wet carpet can be extremely frustrating and hiring a professional carpet cleaner could be the best option for you. Professional carpet cleaners have the necessary equipment and expertise to deal with your wet carpet. It might cost you, but buying a new carpet to replace the old one might be even more expensive. Professional carpet cleaners usually will charge you per square foot or by the hour. Be sure to check out your insurance out as it might cover the restoration expenses.
Methods used by carpet cleaners
Professional carpet cleaners will use varying techniques to restore a carpet. There are five methods identified by the IICRC or the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification. They are steam cleaning or hot water extraction (HWE), rotary shampoo, dry foam shampoo, dry powder absorption, and dry pad absorption. Hot water extraction is the most likely candidate for cleaning a wet carpet.
Choosing the right carpet cleaner
When choosing a professional carpet cleaner play it safe. Asking friends or family who have already been through the experience is one way you can chose whom to hire. If you have no inkling about whom to call, it's always a good idea to choose from a pool of certified professionals. Check out if the individual or firm you chose is an IICRC certified master textile cleaner or an IICRC firm.
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