One of the last things that any homeowner would want is a flooded or rather a wet carpet. A wet carpet is a perfect recipe for disaster in any home. Whether it’s a leaking water pipe, bathroom tub or kitchen sink, a wet carpet is always a nightmare for any homeowner. It does happen, and when it does, you need to have the basic skills of drying your carpet fast.
Why Dry it Fast?
The main danger of any wet carpet is the risk of mold growth. Aside from the malodorous and damp odor, mold can also result in allergies and respiratory infections such as asthma, and therefore the need for fast carpet drying. While mold is anywhere and everywhere, when it is allowed to stay in a moist area, it multiplies at an increasing rate, posing an immense danger to your family members.
Ideally, the Environmental Protection Agency requires us to get water out of our carpet within 48 hours, but the quicker the better.
Determining the Source of Water
The first step before you dry your carpet is to determine the nature of water. If the dampness and wetness are caused by clean water, probably a burst in your main water supply or a foundation leak, you can save the carpet, provided you work fast. But if the dampness is caused by dirty water, for instance, sewer backup or washing machine drain water, you need to call the professionals.
In this article, however, we shall assume that the wetness in your carpet is caused by clean water.
Step by step procedure of how to get water out of your carpet
What you will Need
- Wet vacuum cleaner
- Dry towels
- Bucket
- Dehumidifier
- Fans
- Baking soda
Safety – Basics of physics demand that water and electricity can never mix. Before setting your feet on the squishy carpet, ensure that you turn off the power to the room holding the carpet. If you are not sure of which breakers to switch off, flip the main circuit breaker. Next, you need to unplug all the power strips and extension cords from the floor and unplug all electricals including HVAC, and washing machines, to avoid the risk of electrocution.
1. Soak the Excess Water
The first step to drying your wet carpet is to soak up all the excess water using dry towels. Here, you are required to spread your towels wide and lay them over the wet sections of your carpet. Then, you are required to press gently over the towels with your hands and feet so that they can absorb the excess water.
As the towels become saturated with water, you continually keep on replacing them. Keep a bucket nearby to store the wet towels or wring the excess water out to avoid dripping the water in other areas of the room.
2. Vacuum the Carpet
Once the carpet is free from traces of visible water and only damp- you can ascertain this by trampling over the carpet, and seeing whether it releases any visible water, use a wet-dry vacuum cleaner to dry the moist carpet.
When vacuuming your carpet, avoid using the traditional dry vacuums as they simply will not work and may actually damage them. Go over the moist carpet again and again in slow and straight lines, while emptying the vacuum’s tanks as needed until the carpeting feels dry.
If the wet area is limited, using a portable spot vacuum can be very effective as well.
3. Encourage Moisture to Evaporate
Moisture does not go away instantly, and it requires time to go evaporate. To aid in faster evaporation, you can use several tricks, which can be either be used solo or in combination with other techniques.
- Open the doors and windows in the carpeted room to provide a cross breeze. However, if the weather outside is humid, you should close the doors and windows and use the next technique.
- Run the window air conditioner or turn on the central air to reduce the humidity levels in your carpet.
- Plug the fans, and direct them in the direction of the wet areas of the carpet.
4. Use Baking Soda
Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the carpet. Depending on the size of your carpet, you might be required to use more than one canister of baking soda.
Allow it to sit on the carpet for a period of at least 30 minutes to one hour.
The baking soda is not only vital for absorbing the remaining moisture but also takes away the bad carpet odor that comes with dampness.
Then vacuum the baking soda alongside the absorbed water.
5. Keep the Dehumidifiers Running
For a refined dryness, it’s advisable that you keep the dehumidifiers running until you are satisfied with the results.
As you can see, drying your wet carpet can be easier than you think. However, you need to do it fast to avoid the growth of mold and other possible long term damage.
Follow the above steps, and you`ll be destined for a dryer carpet