Does my water-damaged carpet need to be replaced is a common question most homeowners ask. The answer to this depends on the extent of water damage, the source of water, and other factors. Carpet Cleaning Pros, serving London and nearby areas, explain how your carpet may get water-damaged and when you should consider replacing it.
Common Sources of Water Damage
Your carpet can get water damage due to various reasons. Below are a few common causes:
- Roof leaks
- Burst or leaking pipes
- Damaged home appliances
- Malfunctioning sump pump
- Flooding
- Septic system problems
- Overflowing toilets
- Clogged drains
When Should You Consider Replacing Water-Damaged Carpets?
As dear as your carpet is to you, sometimes the water damage is so bad that you may be unable to salvage it. Below are instances when you must consider replacing your water-damaged carpets:
Extensive Water Damage
A small amount of water on your carpet is different from flooding. The more water your carpet has, the wetter your subfloor, carpet backing, and underlying structures get. This can increase the time and money required to dry your carpet thoroughly. While your carpet may look dry on the surface, getting moisture from the floorboards and carpet pads can be difficult. As a result, you may have to replace the carpet entirely.
Carpet Soaked with Water for More Than 24-48 Hours
If your carpet has been soaked for more than 24-48 hours, you may have to replace it. It takes very little time for mildew and mould to grow on wet surfaces. Your carpet will begin to develop dark spots and a musty smell. Once your carpet develops mould, it is nearly impossible to eradicate it. Hence, it would be a good idea to replace it, dry the area, and get a new one.
Flooding or Sewer Backup
The type of water damage will also influence your decision to replace your carpet. It is often possible to clean your carpet entirely if it gets flooded by clean water sources like burst water pipes, rainwater, or sump pumps that stop working. On the other hand, if the source of the water damage is a backed-up toilet, any other type of wastewater, or floodwater, then you will have to replace the carpet. Your carpet will have harmful bacteria, toxins, chemicals, or dangerous germs that can impact your and your family’s health.
Delicate Upholstery Materials or Carpeting
A high-quality carpet will not look the same after water damage. In addition, you will have to identify the source of the moisture to prevent mould. And this can require lifting or cutting the carpet. Replacing the carpet will help you identify the source of moisture, address any issues, and give you a seamless look with a new, replacement carpet.
Can You Clean a Water-Damaged Carpet Yourself?
It can be tempting to clean a water-damaged carpet yourself. But, it is not a good idea. Your carpets can develop mould and harmful bacteria due to excessive moisture.Professionals like Carpet Cleaning Pros have the right equipment, training and experience to clean your water-damaged carpets. They will take all the necessary precautions to fix the damage.
How to Avoid Water Damage to Your Carpets?
The best way to avoid water damage to your carpet is to ensure no leaks or other issues in your home. Similarly, you must prevent flood waters from entering your home as much as possible. To do this, you can roll up towels and push them against the bottom of the entryway doors. Get your plumbing systems checked regularly to ensure no leaks or other issues. Similarly, burst pipes are another common cause of flooding in your home. Remember to leave a faucet dripping during winter to prevent water from freezing and expanding inside a pipe.
In some cases, fire damage could also lead to water damage to your carpets. The large amounts of water used while extinguishing the fire could cause extensive carpet damage. Be cautious while using your stovetop or other electrical appliances. If you smoke, don’t leave a cigarette lit and ensure your fireplace chimney is cleaned regularly to prevent any fire.
Whether you replace your water-damaged carpet or not will depend on various factors. You must consider the extent of the damage, the money and time required to clean the damaged carpet, mould and mildew growth, and the water source before deciding whether you can clean or replace it. If the water damage is not too bad, you can consider hiring professional carpet cleaning services and cleaning your carpets. However, if your carpet has suffered extensive water damage or is affected in any way mentioned above, you must replace it.
