Is Your Carpet Salvageable After a Pipe Break?

11/3/2023 (Permalink)

Water damage to carpet in Georgetown, TX.

A pipe break could require significant restoration efforts when water spreads across your home's floors in Georgetown, Texas. When water soaks your carpet, you may wonder if you should try to salvage or replace it. Your decision may depend on the following factors.

Insufficient Drying Measures

Homeowners attempting to dry their water-soaked floor coverings may find the following efforts are insufficient and may even spread contaminants:

• Blotting with towels
• Sprinkling baking soda over wet areas
• Applying heat with a hairdryer
• Running fans without opening windows
  
  

Opening windows and running dehumidifiers can help, but a flood restoration company's services are critical. Professionals can quickly and efficiently apply water extraction and sanitization methods, using powerful tools to prevent mold growth.

Exposure Time
The longer a carpet remains wet after a pipe break, the higher the probability that it will not be salvageable. Even the cleanest water can become unsanitary as it remains in the fibers. Quickly lowering the overall humidity level of a room can prevent mold spores from penetrating the air and compromising the furnishings within it. Still, it is prudent to contact a professional drying service immediately following a flood to prevent further damage.

Underlying Floor Condition
Floors and paddings that remain wet can lead to the growth of mold spores that can quickly penetrate the fibers of coverings sitting over them. Removing and replacing flooring before returning carpeting may be necessary depending upon its materials and how readily they absorb moisture.

Choosing To Replace
Replacing a water-soaked carpet can be the best decision, especially if mitigation efforts were delayed. Sometimes the fastest efforts to dry can't prevent or entirely remove bacteria, mold and other contaminants, so removal and replacement is the only option.
If you need help deciding if your rugs and other belongings are salvageable after a flood from a pipe break at your home, a professional disaster recovery service can assist and advise.