Should I Remove My Water Damaged Carpet or Not

12/7/2020 (Permalink)

wet carpet being pulled because of a water loss

Should I Throw It Away?

A pipe break, a leak, or any other water incident inside your home in Washington County, can greatly damage various items, including your carpet. This can be frustrating if your carpeting is new or if you take care of it. However, not every case of water damage to this item means you must replace it. Consider these factors before throwing away this prized decoration.

 Status of Padding
The padding below the carpeting serves multiple purposes, from absorbing daily wear-and-tear to insulating a large part of your house. An unintentional benefit it provides involves taking in a significant amount of water. Carefully remove the affected flooring and see if the padding is wetter than the part it protects. If the water is mostly absorbed, you can simply throw it out and salvage the upper sections. A damage professional can assist you with this task.

 Category of Water Damage
If flooding caused this problem, you would have to figure out the water's contamination category. If the liquid comes from a pipe break or overflowing appliances, it is considered clean water or category one. Water that comes from toilet bowls, dishwashers, and sump pumps is somewhat contaminated, so it is category two greywater. Sewage and groundwater are also known as black water, or category three. If the last category has touched the carpet, you will need to replace it immediately.

 Duration of Damage
Time is also another key factor in deciding whether to replace the carpeting. Generally, if the damage has lasted more than 72 hours, you should replace it. Even if the water is clean, it can weaken the material and encourage mold growth when left alone. Therefore, it is important to respond to the damage fast and call in professional restoration services to inspect and resolve the situation.
Water damage from flooding or a pipe break can affect your floor carpeting differently. Look at the elements involved in the carpet's damage to determine the course of action.

Call SERVPRO of Washington County at 423-434-0046 and they can help you decide if it can be saved?