When a storm hits your home, one of the many things you must consider is the basement. This is why learning how to deal with water damaged basement carpet is essential. We also have some rapid drying strategies that can easily help you out!
Cleaning the basement, particularly the carpet, will be a headache. Isn’t it about now that you wish your basement was made of stainless steel that was sealed?
Dealing With Water Damage In The Basement
Make sure the flooded basement carpet is safe before drying it. Before walking downstairs, turn off the electricity if water is near electrical outlets.
Even if the water is pure, make sure you use safety equipment. Pants, long sleeves, waterproof boots, rubber gloves, and safety glasses are all included. You should also use a ventilator and a face shield if the water is from the outside or contains sewage.
1. Bleach and sanitize
Sanitize any exposed flooring or wallboards that the floods may have contaminated. Pour in a half bucket with hot water and a squirt or two of essential household bleach, and then mop it all up.
2. Get a dehumidifier
Set up a dehumidifier in your basement. The dehumidifier will effectively remove any remaining water from your basement carpet as well as from the air.
3. Get out the baking soda
After you’ve sucked out as much water as you can with a wet vac and taken the extra step of dehumidifying, you’ll want to dry your basement carpet even more and use baking soda to prevent or stop mold growth.
In this scenario, however, you’ll want to obtain non-clumping baking soda if at all possible. It’s made specifically for carpets. Commercial baking soda will work just as well, but you may notice that it forms clumps more quickly, making it challenging to apply evenly across the carpet.
If there are any areas on your rug where water collects, cover them thoroughly with baking soda. Scrub it in with a stiff-bristled brush and set it aside for at least a few hours, but preferably several days.
Walking on the baking soda-covered carpet, believe it or not, will help. This is since the natural absorbent, cleaning, and deodorizing material will be able to reach the deepest crevices where mold is most likely to develop.
When you’re ready, vacuum up all baking soda from your carpet with a conventional upright vacuum. If you’ve poured a lot, you might need to sweep off the top layer with a brush and dustpan and keep a pile of rubbish nearby to catch the waste. Because too much baking soda can cause your vacuum to break, it’s best to be safe and sweep up as much as you can beforehand or use a wet-dry vacuum.
Steps To Drying Wet Carpet In The Basement
Step #1. Get rid of the water
First, even though the water level is still increasing, you must remove as much water as possible. The most incredible tool for dealing with a flooded basement carpet is a pump. Most equipment rental firms will rent you a pump if you don’t already have one.
A shop-style vacuum is the most fantastic alternative to a pump. You will, however, need to empty it frequently. You may have to go over it numerous times to get all of the water out.
Step #2. Empty the room
The next step is to clear the space. Start with your furniture and heavier items on top of the carpeting and work your way down. Wipe away any extra water with a rag, then lay them out to dry on a tarp.
Wet carpet is more prone to detach from the backing, and it may even fall apart. As a result, try to avoid walking on it as much as possible. Stepping on it will degrade the padding.
Step #3. Dry the carpet
To dry damp carpets in the basement, use fans and dehumidifiers. While ordinary fans will work, they aren’t meant for drying and could overheat or short out. Instead, rent high-volume blowers and dehumidifiers for structural drying.
Step #4. Replace the carpet padding
In most circumstances, the padding will need to be removed and replaced. When wet, most pads are made of compacted foam that easily comes apart.
Also, replacing it only costs between $30 and $60 per square foot. If you want to dry your carpet padding, don’t lift it first because it will collapse more quickly.
Step #5. Clean and disinfect
You must clean and sanitize your basement carpeting when it has dried. This step will keep odors at bay as well as debris and bacteria from the floodwaters.
Begin by sanitizing the sub-floor with a gallon of water and a cup of bleach. Allow time for it to dry, then proceed on replacing the cushioning. The carpets should then be laid down and steam cleaned or shampooed.
Conclusion
Although it may appear that drying and reusing water-damaged carpets is simple, there are risks to doing so. You might not have the tools, knowledge, or abilities to restore your carpets unless you’ve worked in the flooring and carpeting industry.
That’s why getting some help from experts will always be the top advice. Hopefully, this article on how to deal with water damaged basement carpet gave you enough information!