Do You Have To Replace Water-Damaged Carpet?

Water damage in your home is never a welcome situation, and it's even worse when you have carpet flooring. Of the myriad questions and concerns that will be on your mind, a nagging one will definitely be if you should get rid of your carpet flooring. While you can salvage a water-damaged carpet, whether you should repair or replace depends on certain details. The timeframe and extent of the damage, the type of water that got into the carpet, and how long you've had the carpet are key considerations that can determine what your decision should be.

The most important fact to know is how much time has passed since your carpet has been damaged. If the water has been on your carpet for more than 48 hours, then you should replace it. This is because it takes mold only 24 to 48 hours to start growing on a damp surface. And it can be very tricky (almost impossible) to completely and safely remove mold from your carpet. The amount of damage on your carpet is another thing to look out for. Carpet floors aren't just made of the carpet itself. They consist of the carpet surface, followed by the backing and padding before you get to your home's subfloor. And with extensive water damage, all of them could be affected. In such a situation, it just makes sense to replace the carpet because getting all those layers completely dry would take a lot of time, effort, and materials.

The source of water damage can be either clean, gray, or blackwater. Clean water damage is caused by a leaking pipe or rainwater and typically doesn't contain any harmful bacteria or contaminants. You can save carpets affected by this type of water, as long as you do that within 24 to 48 hours. Damage from greywater can contain contaminants because this is overflow from dishwashers, aquariums, washing machines, or toilets (with no solid matter). You can fix the carpet in this case, but you must dispose of the padding underneath. Flooding from blackwater is highly dangerous and you shouldn't keep both the carpet and the padding. Blackwater typically comes from sewage, rivers, sea water, or any weather-related incidents.

Finally, you should check the age and quality of your carpet. Carpets in homes typically have a five to 15 years average lifespan, so if your damaged one is within that range, replacing it might be the best option. Even if the carpet hasn't lasted that long but is well worn out due to high foot traffic or pet damage, trying to save it might be a waste of resources since it probably needs replacing, anyway. Whether you decide to replace or fix, it is always best to call professionals the moment you notice water damage on your carpets. They are in the best position to ascertain if you're making the right decision and also have the necessary expertise and equipment to assist you.

Summarily, you can repair your water-damaged carpet if it isn't worn out, it wasn't affected by blackwater, the water damage is minimal, and you noticed it on time. When it comes to fixing these carpets, calling a professional is highly recommended. This is mainly because, without the right knowledge and equipment, you might not be able to get your carpet relatively dry within the 48-hour window before mold starts growing. An expert service would be able to guide you on repairing water damage and help with commercial dehumidifiers, fans, and heat vacuums you'll need to dry the carpet quickly.

The first step to fixing your carpet is to find and cut off the source of the water if you can, like in cases of pipe leaks or bathroom overflows. Next, you should take out any furniture in the affected areas and start soaking up excess water in the area with towels, mops, and any clean, absorbent material you can get your hands on. At this point, you might need to cut out the water-damaged section of your carpet. This is to prevent further moisture spread and also to get rid of the padding underneath in cases of greywater flooding. That carpet section can easily be patched back when it is dry. The final and most important step is to dry the area and carpet. This is where the commercial dehumidifiers and fans come in. Keep the fan pointed towards the affected area on the highest setting for at least 24 hours, then bring in a dehumidifer to eliminate the moisture in the air. Once that's done, inspect the carpet and padding as they should be dry by then.