Disaster has struck – you return home to find a flooded house and a carpet that’s absolutely soaked!
One of the biggest challenges that comes with flooding is salvaging your carpet. Who would want to use a damp and a mouldy carpet, after all? Not only is it unclean, but it’s also unhealthy.
Emergency carpet drying can be a tedious task. If you want to restore your carpets to the state they were in before the flood, emergency carpet drying from a carpet professional is a must.
While you’re waiting however, there are a couple of things you can do to increase your carpet’s odds of survival.
But first: why is emergency carpet drying essential?
Whether it’s because of wild weather or a burst pipe, there are three big reasons why emergency carpet drying is essential:
- It’s healthier for your family
- It protects you from mould and infection
- You’ll be able to use your home’s rooms again!
Firstly, a flooded carpet might be soaked with unhealthy bacteria and other contaminants.
Leaving your carpet to dry on its own often leaves many of these contaminants in your carpet.
Secondly, a soaked carpet can cause unhealthy mould growth. The water needs somewhere to go as it dries – otherwise, it sticks around inside your home, creating the perfect environment for mould (more on that later).
Finally, it means you’ll be able to use your house again, and quicker too!
1) Use a wet-dry vacuum immediately
Vacuums are carpet’s best friend when it comes to regular cleaning and drying.
While not as powerful as the vacuums your carpet cleaner will use during emergency carpet drying, going over your carpets with your home vacuum makes our job significantly easier.
Not to mention, it increases the chances of salvaging your carpet!
Before starting however, be sure to check whether your vacuum is fit for wet cleaning. Not all home vacuums can be used for damp carpets. Using the wrong one can break your vacuum cleaner too, adding to your eventual bill.
Avoid this by ensuring your vacuum is approved for wet vacuuming. If not, skip this step!
2) Dehumidify as much as possible
Your carpet isn’t the only consideration when your house floods. Another is how humid your air is.
Mould growth needs four things to take hold:
- Darkness
- Food
- Oxygen
- Moisture
Most rooms already have the first three. And a flooded carpet adds number four to the equation.
Leaving a carpet to dry by itself takes time. This gives mould plenty of time to find a foothold in the affected rooms.
Living with mould can present health risks, especially in:
- Young children and the elderly
- Those with compromised immune systems
- Asthmatics and those with allergies
Even in healthy individuals, it can trigger nasal congestion and respiratory infection.
Protect yourself from mould by dehumidifying your flooded room as it dries.
You can enlist the help of common household items like fans and blowers to dry out your air. If your air conditioner has a dehumidifier option, we recommend using it!
3) Sun dry your rugs
You can’t rip out your carpet and put it on the clothesline. However, you can do this with your rugs.
Depending on the type of rug you own, sun drying can be a very effective method.
Not only can it be extremely quick if the weather is good, but it also makes the rest of your emergency carpet drying process a bit quicker.
Not to mention, it means that as your rug dries, the water evaporates and doesn’t hang around inside your house. This reduces humidity and, when combined with direct sunlight, reduces your risk of mould.
4) Harness the power of steam!
If you have a steam cleaner on hand, we recommend putting it to good use!
Cleaning, sanitising, eliminating bad odours… steam cleaners do it all.
In addition to cleaning out most of the dirt and bacteria, steam vacuums also extract moisture. This ensures a cleaner carpet, with less bacteria and dirt being left behind.
Additionally, it also means that moisture doesn’t stick around in your room.
5) Call a professional for emergency carpet drying
If you ask us, the best piece of advice we can offer is to call a professional.
Each of these tips can dry out your flooded carpet, but only when given the time and the right equipment.
However, for emergency carpet drying to be successful, it needs to be done quickly and properly.
Not to mention, these techniques may not work on every type of carpet material, so you’re also risking damaging your carpets.
If you need emergency carpet drying, reach out to a professional carpet cleaning service like MasterClean Carpet Care.
Our team offers emergency carpet drying and cleaning services across Melbourne’s south-east. We offer a range of services and thrive under pressure, including emergency situations like:
- Flooding
- Severe weather
- Plumbing leaks
- Burst plumbing fixtures
We use a range of effective, non-toxic, and safe cleaning services that guarantee stain-free and dry carpets that look just like new.
If you need emergency carpet drying, get in touch with us today on 1300 556 748 or contact us online.
We’ll bring your flooded carpet back to life!
