Water Damage and Carpets: What You Need to Know

6/7/2022 (Permalink)

If you have gone through a water loss, you likely know how quickly the water spreads throughout the home. Often times, you may not discover a water loss until you walk across your soaked carpet. Don’t stress, however, and certainly do not start pulling up your carpets! Sometimes the carpet can be salvaged if you involve SERVPRO® of Columbia County early on in the process.

The Questions to Ask

1. How long has the water damage been present?
   • If the water has not been cleaned within the first 48-72 hours of the loss occurring, there is a chance of microbial growth occurring. This means that most of the carpet will need to be removed and replaced for health and safety purposes. Generally, the rule of thumb is to replace the carpet if it has been exposed to water for more than two days.
2. How much water was the carpet exposed to?
   • If there are just a few wet spots from water damage, that can be easily dried without replacing the carpet. However, if the carpet is completely soddened with water, there is a chance it has soaked through to the padding, which can lead to damage sub-floor. It would be best to consult with SERVPRO® on the actions we would recommend taking.

Calling SERVPRO® of Columbia County immediately after discovering water damage will give you the best chance at salvaging your carpets. Regardless of the size and scope of the damage, we will get your home back to preloss condition as quickly as possible. Contact us at 706-868-5441, we are “Here to help.®”