Are you considering replacing your carpet? Is It Wise;Replacing Carpet After Water Damage? Most people feel the urge to get a new carpet when their first one gets damaged by water. Water leaks on carpets are sometimes inevitable.
You will run a bath that overflows. On other occasions, a pipe will burst open and cause flooding in your region. If you don’t react quickly to water spills, you risk destructive mold growth.
Using a water damaged carpet results in your room being stuffy with a musty stench. However, replacing the carpet means spending more cash. For this reason, some people decide to clean and restore the water damaged carpet.
To help you decide whether you should restore or replace your carpet, we have done extensive research. In this article, we will break down this concept into understandable information. Let’s get started!
Determining the Need For Water-Damaged Carpet Replacement Buying a new carpet is, without a doubt, expensive. You risk overspending which could leave a financial dent in your finances.
However, the replacement cost should not be the determinant. Replacing the carpet carries weight on the appearance of your house. For this reason, consider the following when making this decision.
Amount of Water in Your Carpet
When more water gets soaked in your carpet, drying it becomes tougher. The floor and subfloor, on some occasions, get damaged by the spilled water as well. A little amount of water in your carpet is easier to clean and dry.
If you did not witness the carpet getting wet, it would be best to seek professional help from carpet cleaners. Alternatively, you can buy and install a new carpet. This replacement will prevent mold growth on the carpet and floor.
The Duration Your Carpet Stays Wet
How much time did the carpet sit on the flooded floor? When the carpet spends more time on a wet floor or near a continuously leaking pipe, you will need to consider replacing it.
Mildew and mold begin to grow on your carpet after twenty-four hours of being soaked in water. When these molds grow, not even professional cleaners can completely eradicate them.
Cleaning merely removes the mold from the carpet but doesn’t completely deal with the infestation. If the carpet is damaged by being soaked in water on your floor for more than forty-eight hours, restoring it might be impossible.
Clean stagnant water gets infected with microorganisms that are likely to cause diseases. Nonetheless, if the wetness is discovered within the first few hours, you can disinfect your carpet and reinstall it.
The Source of the Carpet-Damaging Water
Restoring a carpet damaged by contaminated or suspicious water is not a wise decision. Whenever you realize the water is from a sewer leak or toilet overflow, it would be best to replace the carpet soonest possible.
Additionally, if the carpet gets damaged due to flood water getting to it, consider a replacement. Suspicious water sources breed disease-causing bacteria that people should not come into contact with.
On the other hand, if a safe water source damages your carpet, restoring it could save you more than just a few coins. Clean and lay back the carpet on your house’s floor and continue enjoying its comforting warmth.
Can You Fix a Water Damaged Carpet
Extreme water damage ruins the carpet to the extent that picking the carpet up tears it. If you realize that carpet fibers are coming off upon touch, it’s time to consider eco-friendly carpet disposal.
On the other hand, if you can detach the carpet from the floor without destroying it, there is a chance of restoring it. It is important to note that you can only restore your carpet if the water that damages it is clean.
Visit the grocery store near you and inquire about effective water-damaged carpet disinfectants. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid discoloring your carpet.
The Condition of Your Carpet
Newer carpets are easier to restore since their fiber is not compromised through regular washing. If these carpets get damaged by clean water for not more than 24 hours, dry and disinfect them before restoring them.
However, older carpets are usually in a disadvantaged position when damaged by water. This is because they have gotten compromised over time by dirt and regular cleaning. If your carpet has served you for a longer duration, you should replace it.
Sources of Water Damage on Carpet
Water damage has become a common and extreme occurrence in homes. This has increased the number of claims from homeowners. Water damage can slowly or quickly destroy a beautifully designed home. Water damage can come from:
- Overflowing toilets or septic tanks
- Appliances that use water such as a washing machines and a dishwasher malfunctioning
- Flooding from the rain or any other source
- The roof leaking or a pipe bursting
The hard floor-like tiles and linoleum can recover after water damage. However, it is almost impossible to restore the original shape and appearance when it comes to your carpet.
Water Damaged Carpet Cleaning Process
After soaking the carpet with clean water, you will need to shampoo, disinfect, and ensure it dries completely. This will help ensure all the harmful microorganisms are eradicated to ensure the carpet is safe for people and pets to use.
The carpet may not survive all that cleaning, depending on its quality. In this case, you will need to change the carpet pad. Also, ensure the floor the carpet gets placed on is clean and dry.
The effects of using an infested carpet with molds and bacteria are more significant. Consider all the concerns it raises compared to the cost of buying a new carpet.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, even after water damage, all hope on your carpet is not lost. You can make the above observation and analysis to determine whether you should restore or replace it.
When the carpet is soaked in clean water, you can clean, dry, and disinfect it. However, if you discover that suspicious water has damaged your carpet, replace it immediately. By so doing, you will not experience mold growth on your carpet.
