Coping with Wet Wall-to-Wall Carpet
When dealing with a wet wall-to-wall carpet, the
problem is somewhat different due to the size. Most of
the advice given concerning rugs can be used if the
carpet is small enough and there is a place outside where
it can be dried. If a rug cleaner can pick up the carpet,
take it to his plant, give it a cleaning and dry it, in
most situations this would be the best recommendations.
Shrinkage may produce the problem of getting the carpet
restretched into place. If the water did not appreciably
damage the back, a power stretcher may be able to supply
sufficient force to restretch the carpet.
If it is felt the carpet cannot be removed, a
concerted effort should be made to remove as much of the
water as possible. Vacuums capable of removing water from
the carpet can be obtained in many cities from rental
companies. Hot water extraction units (steam) can be
rented in many different types of establishments and the
vacuum on these units can be used for water removal. Or a
professional service can be hired. Even if a wet vacuum
is used, care should be taken to prevent electrical
shock. Home-type vacuums normally are not designed for
this use and, if used on a wet carpet, could present a
real danger.
If a wet vacuum can be obtained, the carpet should be
vacuumed until no more water can be removed. A large
portion of the water can be vacuumed out of the face of
the carpet; however, if it has gotten under the carpet
and into the pad it may not be possible to pull this
water through the carpet. This water has wicked through
the back or gotten under the carpet at the edges. Many
times the amount of water in the back can be determined
by walking on wet carpet. If there is a lot of water
under the carpet, the carpet will make a sopping sound.
If there appears to be a lot of water under the
carpet, a portion of the carpet will have to raised.
This can be done by pulling the carpet off the
installation strips at one of the corners. After lifting
a corner of the carpet, if the pad is wet, the entire
carpet and pad will have to be removed. This is necessary
so the flooring can be dried. Water on many types of
flooring will result in buckling. Once the floor has
dried the dry pad and carpet can be reinstalled.
Normally, the pad can be dried by allowing it to be
exposed to good drying conditions. Even it does become
discolored or stained, it really will not make any
difference since it will be covered by the carpet. If the
musty mildew odor is present, either the mildew should be
killed or a new pad obtained.
Smaller amounts of water in the pad can be removed
by blowing air between the carpet and the pad. This can
be done by lifting a corner of the carpet and using a
fan to blow air under the carpet. Another method is to
attach a vacuum hose to the exhaust of the vacuum and put
it in the slit in a seam. This will float the carpet on
air and aid in drying. Turning up the heat, opening the
windows, and/or using fans will aid in the drying. A
dehumidifier in a closed room will pull out water fast,
and can be rented from rental companies.
Dirty water on the carpet presents another problem in
that it should be removed while it is still wet. On
location, about the only way this can be done is with the
hot water extraction method. Many professional carpet
cleaners are equipped to do this, or the equipment can be
rented. If dirt is allowed to dry on the fibers, it will
be very difficult to remove. The additional water added
by the cleaning will be offset by the removal of greater
amounts of water with the vacuum.
It is common for the seams to separate to some
extent. The amount of separation will be determined by
the type of fibers used in the back of the carpet. In
many cases the seams can be repaired by a carpet
installer.