FIXING WATER DAMAGED CARPETING IN YOUR BUSINESS

4/25/2019 (Permalink)

When you’re dealing with commercial water damage, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, and decisions must be made quickly. For instance, many business owners need help deciding if wet carpet should be repaired or replaced. Rest assured, we at SERVPRO of Downtown Long Beach / Signal Hill will help you assess the situation and create a plan to fix or replace water damaged materials, including your water damaged carpeting.

Assess the Situation

During your evaluation, ask yourself the following questions.

• Has the source of the water been identified?
• Is it safe to fix the water damaged carpeting, or are there hazardous materials involved?
• Has the water been stopped?

If the carpet is to be dried instead of replaced, the water responsible for damaging the carpet must be from a clean source such as broken pipes, supply lines, and rain. Flood-damaged carpet can be especially toxic and include mold spores or life-threatening bacteria. Do not attempt to salvage carpet that was damaged by flooding.

How Do You Dry Wet Carpet?

Since water damaged carpeting can grow mold within 48 hours, it is important to move quickly. A wet-vacuum can be an effective way to dry carpet after water damage. Since it can take several times over to dry the carpet, we suggest using blowers, fans, and dehumidifiers. The extra equipment will circulate the air and dry water damaged materials in your business even faster.

Can You Use the Same Padding When the Carpet Gets Wet?

No, you can’t use the same padding if your carpet gets wet. Carpet padding is like a giant sponge. It soaks up the water and it won’t dry out. The dampness will cause it to mildew and mold, which will cause an odor and unsafe conditions under the carpet, no matter how dry you get the carpet itself. If you have carpet padding, we will remove the pad underneath the wet carpet and throw it away. Once the carpet is completely dry, we can install a new carpet pad and then lay the carpet back in place.

Can I Dry the Carpet Myself?

In most cases, drying water damaged carpeting is best left to professionals. It can be incredibly difficult to not only save the carpet, but also eliminate mold and mildew, and make the air breathable again. Many businesses do not have protective gear such as masks, gloves, and boots for proper cleaning and sanitizing. Our team is equipped to handle your commercial water loss, day or night. We are available anytime and any day to answer your call.