If you have a carpet or carpet that has become soaked in water, it is best to remove them from the floor and set them out to dry. However, if you have a wall-to-wall carpet or a rug that is too large to remove, you will need to dry it in place.
Steps
Step 1. Call a specialist company to address the problem
- Make sure the service is part of the warranty and look for someone who knows how to dry the carpet, mat and floor if necessary.
- Check with your landlord or insurance. Depending on what caused the flooding, your policy could cover the expenses.
Step 2. Use a vacuum cleaner or steamer to remove the water
- Rent a vacuum cleaner specifically for carpets or a steamer that has a vacuum cleaner included. Most home vacuum cleaners are intended for dry use only and are extremely dangerous when used in wet environments. Do not try to vacuum the carpet with a normal vacuum cleaner unless it is also specific for wet.
- Vacuum the carpet until there is no more water. Wet vacuum removes water but may not reach the mat if the water is filtered past the edges.
- Take a look at the tank and be sure to empty it before it is too full. Depending on the volume of water in the carpet you may have to empty it several times.
- Walk on the carpet when the vacuum cleaner can no longer pull it out. If the mat has gotten wet and the water has leaked underneath, you will hear a splash or see the water re-emerge even where you have already removed it.
Step 3. Choose a corner of the carpet that gives you a better view of the damage
- Lift the carpet and remove it from the corner installation strips. You can also do the same with one side if it is in a position where it is easy to work.
- Fold the corner or side of the hook to see the mat underneath.
Step 4. Try to dry the mat without removing the carpet if it is only damp and the floor feels dry
- Hold the corner or side of the carpet up and use a blower-like blast of air, directing it under the carpet.
- Attach the nozzle to the exhaust pipe of the vacuum cleaner then place it directly under the carpet. The hot air will cause the carpet to rise and separate it from the mat, speeding up the drying process.
Step 5. Remove carpet and mat to dry if they are still damp and the floor is also wet
Otherwise, the floor could eventually fail.
- When wet, carpet and mat become heavy and therefore very heavy to move: it will take more people.
- Pull the edges and corners of the carpet by lifting them off the strips before trying to move it.
- Reinstall the carpet and mat once they are completely dry.
Warnings
- If your carpet has become soaked in dirty water, try to remove all of it as quickly as possible. Add clean water before vacuuming the dirty one. Rent a carpet cleaner instead of just vacuuming and wipe it off before vacuuming up any excess water. Vacuuming only dirty water can still leave dirt that would stain the carpet.
- Whether or not you have to remove it, the carpet may shrink and the seams separate from excess water. A specialist firm should be able to fix it for you.
