Damage caused by severe weather costs Canada $400 million a year and with floods being the most common natural disaster occurring in the country, it can be a costly issue for any household to resolve. Water stains, a foul odour, damaged furniture and wet carpets are all part of the clean-up operation, but the good thing about the repair job is that you can be sure your home is safe and inviting to live in. When you’re arranging restoration and organizing your home following a flood, there’s lots to consider, including whether to treat water-stained carpet or to buy new. Generally speaking, if a carpet has been wet for 48 hours or more or if it has been flooded by dirty or contaminated water, it should be replaced.
Flood Water
The type of water that has flooded your carpet will make a difference as to whether the carpet can be repaired or needs to be replaced. Dirty water from a storm can contain harmful toxins which will contaminate your carpet, therefore, replacement carpet is required to keep you and your family safe and to help protect you from developing illnesses. The good news is that a flood caused by clean water, such as a burst pipe, can be cleaned effectively from a carpet.
Partially-Flooded Carpet
Partially-flooded carpet can be treated and returned to its prior state as long as action is taken soon after a flood – if at all possible, within 48 hours. A wet-dry vacuum can be used to suck up as much as the retained water as possible. Once this has been done, professional carpet cleaners can be called in to use specialized equipment to clean the carpet.
One thing to consider is whether the underlay beneath the carpet has trapped any water. If it has, it won’t be long before mold starts to appear and a nasty smell appears in your home which can be harmful to your health, so it’s recommended you take up the carpet and replace the underlay.
Flooded Carpet
If your carpet has been completely immersed in water then it may be best to tear it and the underlay up and throw it away, otherwise you risk bad odours and mold growth that can harm your family’s health. The bare sub-floor needs to be as dry as possible before new carpet is laid and it’s worthwhile using dehumidifiers to dry the floor out. This also ensures water lodged in any surfaces in the room are dried out, too, which makes the air you breathe in your home as safe as it can be.
Make a Claim
If you find yourself having to rip the carpet and underlay up following a flood, you may be worried about the expense of purchasing replacement flooring to return your home to a livable state. The good news is that your home insurance may help. They will sort replacement carpet and fitting for you, as well as provide you with a professional cleaning should some carpets in the home be salvageable. The things to do after a flood in your home are endless and home insurance can really help to alleviate the worry which comes with a flood. Contact your broker to see what they can do.
About the Author
Jane Sandwood is a freelance writer with over 10 years of experience writing on a variety of topics. She also has several years of experience working in the cleaning industry.