A flood can be very damaging to a property and one of the items that can be damaged are the carpets. These are very absorbent and therefore they will soak up floodwater easily. Floodwater can have many harmful substances mixed in it such as sewage, chemicals etc. and all of this will be absorbed by the carpets.
On many occasions you will be able to save the carpet when you act quickly.
There are professional flood restoration services that deal with carpet water damage and they will use their special heavy-duty equipment to remove all the water and moisture out of the carpets and dry them thoroughly making them safe for use again. However, there are some times that you are not able to restore a carpet even after such measures. These professional services will also deodorise the affected areas so that there is no bad odour. But sometimes, you will not be able to get this odour out no matter how much you try to remove it. This odour is a sign of mould and mildew growing in the carpet fibres and padding. There are many pollutants in floodwater and this combined with the damp can create an optimal environment for mould growth. If this odour persists even after multiple cleaning and drying attempts, it is best to discard it. Mould can spread quickly throughout the property and removing this will help you avoid a health hazard.
If there is high humidity
In your environment or ventilation is not adequate, this will give rise to mould growth. If you have allergies or a respiratory condition, mould can exacerbate the risk to your health. While you can disinfect the carpet and lean it, this will not be a permanent solution if mould growth has penetrated deeply into the carpet fibres. Because there can be a lot of chemicals and dirt in the floodwater, these can stain the carpets and they can become discoloured. You will see this as dark patches and these will be resistant to any cleaning attempts. Generally, the stain will get darker if it is submerged in floodwaters for a long time as the stains will penetrate the carpet fibres. Discoloration and staining can reduce the aesthetic appeal of the carpet and you will not be able to salvage it. If the flood restoration team clears it for use, you can keep it until you find a carpet that can replace this.
Many carpets tend to lose their shape and structure when they are exposed to floodwater.
This is because they are constructed in layers. And there is a backing that is glued to the carpet fibres. But when they have been submerged for a long time, the layers can separate. You will notice that there is buckling and bulges in the carpet which can create a tripping hazard. You will not be able to restore the carpet once the process of delamination or separation occurs. When carpets are exposed to excess moisture, they will expand and war. This will lead to an uneven carpet and you will not be able to restore the original shape. When the texture of the carpet is changed irreversibly, you will need to remove it. It can be a tripping hazard and it can also trap dirt easily which will make it hard to clean.
