Carpeting is a costly investment, so after a flooding event, one of the most common things people want to know is whether or not the carpet and carpet padding can be saved. Be Happy Restoration, flood water removal and restoration experts based in Mesquite, Texas, share if carpet padding can be saved.
Whether or not carpeting and carpet padding can be saved after a flooding event depends on many factors such as the thickness, age, quality, and type of carpeting and padding. It also depends on how long the water has been on the materials, and the type of water involved.
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Types of Water
Clean Water— Clean water comes from a source such as a broken pipe. Saving carpeting and under-padding is possible if the proper steps are taken quickly to remove the water and dry the materials completely within 48 hours. It is important to note that clean water can become contaminated very quickly and bacteria growth begins within 24 hours of the flooding event.
Greywater — Greywater is any water that has been contaminated. Water from a broken washing machine or dishwasher would be considered greywater. Clean water that has been in contact with the carpeting and other surfaces for more than two days becomes greywater because of bacteria growth. In this case, the padding most definitely should be replaced, but the carpeting may be able to be clean and saved.
Blackwater — As the name suggests, blackwater is water that is highly contaminated with harmful materials, bacteria, and pathogens. Greywater that has been soaking on the carpeting for more than 48 hours moves in classification to blackwater due to increased pathogens. The sources of blackwater could include overflow from rivers and storms, and sewage and toilet backflows. Because of the health effects that this type of water can cause, carpeting and carpet padding exposed to blackwater are not salvageable.
EPA Recommendations Concerning Water Damaged Carpeting
If you are still on the fence about what to do, consider this: The EPA, FEMA, CDC, and remediation industry standards all recommend removal and replacement if the carpeting has been soaking in any water for longer than 48 hours.
Water Damaged Carpeting Needs Professional Intervention
For anything more than a “simple clean-up” it is time to consider local water damage restoration services.
Here’s why.
- The longer water sits, the more damage it can cause to material and property other than the carpet, including the building structure, foundation, walls, and wiring.
- Any damage to wiring creates the risk of fire.
- It poses a risk of shock. Water is a conductor of electricity, so even standing in water near wiring can pose a risk of electrical shock.
- Water poses a chance of health issues, especially once it has been sitting in warm conditions or longer than 24 hours.
- Professionals have the right tools and equipment to extract the excess water and dry the property.
- Water damage experts can assess the situation and determine if the carpeting is safe to save.
- The damage flooding causes is not limited to carpeting. Experts can identify other problems and safety hazards and recommend a course of action.
- Just cleaning or removing carpeting may not be enough. If water has been in the home for some time, it is likely that additional things need cleaning, disinfection, and repairs. Restoration services specialize in identifying and solving these problems.
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Flood Restoration Services Mesquite
If you have water-damaged carpeting, don’t wait to call for help. It is important to have an immediate response when you experience any kind of water damage disaster that requires water removal and restoration. If you are looking for flood restoration services look no further than the Balch Springs, TX area expert, Be Happy Restoration. The company can be reached by email at: jesseh@behappyrestorationservices.com or by phone at (214) 616-9951.
