After the Flood

One of the most important things you can do after a flood is to act immediately. The first step in carpet cleaning post-flood will involve drying the carpet. The best method here is with a dry or wet vacuum. Professional water damage restoration services can be exceedingly useful here. That way, restoration can be done by carpet specialists who know exactly what to watch for and what to do.

Chances are, your carpet wasn’t the only thing that got wet in the flood. The padding was likely saturated as well. To thoroughly restore a dry carpet, you will have to pull it up and remove the padding. Unfortunately, it’s best to discard the padding. Replace the material that goes under your carpet with new padding, then you can reinstall the dried out carpet.

Large fans can greatly speed the drying process, after which a dehumidifier is recommended. Dehumidifiers and large fans are specialized equipment and will probably be part of the arsenal used by a professional, should you call one in.

Now What About That Smell?

The smell of mold and mildew is relatively unmistakable. Even after the carpet has completely dried, the smell of mildew can remain and must be removed. Once again, a professional carpet cleaner knows exactly what to do. But you could try to steam clean your carpet, if you feel comfortable doing so. If the smell still remains, it may be your furniture, walls, or baseboards creating it. The walls and baseboards will have to be cleansed with soap and water, and the furniture upholstery professionally cleaned.

After a flood, always inspect a room thoroughly, and that means pulling up the carpeting. Mold and mildew can hide very easily.

How Long Does the Drying Process Take?

To fully dry and restore your home, depending on how effective your drying methods are, it can take between three and five days. A better and faster job can probably be done by water restoration experts because they have the equipment, techniques, and the know-how to speed up the process. Go online and do a little research to find out who is affordable, reputable, and effective.

Better yet, we can suggest a professional carpet restoration service who has proven themselves in the northern New Jersey area, starting back in 1918.

Count on Riley’s

Riley’s Oriental Rug Cleaning can help you determine whether or not rugs or carpets that have been in a flooded area are salvageable. If they are, you can trust us to restore their life and beauty once again. We can also assist with tiled surfaces that no longer appear shiny and new. If you’ve experienced a flood and need carpeting assessed and/or cleaned, contact us today. We’re ready to help.