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My carpet got flooded. What's the best way to save it?
My washing machine (in the bathroom) blew off the water hose when I wasn't home. Water came out and flooded my bedroom carpet (fitted) about an inch deep.
So far I have brushed a lot of the water back into the bathroom, with a broom. A friend is arriving shortly with a wet and dry vacuum cleaner, to suck up the water that's already soaked in. We are planning to "squeegee" the carpet with a piece of wood ahead of the vacuum, for force out more water for it to suck up.
What next? how can I dry out the carpet without having to pull it up? how long would it take to dry? (it's a flat pile synthetic carpet).
It's an apartment, concrete slab, no-one underneath. I was hoping for advice that would let me avoid facing up to the good points you are making. Luckily it only needs to be tolerable for 2 more months, when it is booked in for a new carpet anyway.
2 Answers
- Sean JLv 61 decade agoFavorite Answer
My opinion is you would be best advised to take up the carpet and dispose of it. Dry the floor thoroughly giving it several weeks to dry. Use a dehumidifier to help with this if possible. If you leave it down, fungus will start to grow and the smell is going to be awful. Your insurance may cover it provided the cost of replacement exceeds the 'excess'. I you are making a claim keep the wet carpet but not within the house. I have found that even taking up a carpet in such circumstances and drying it in the open air and in a garage that there was always an unpleasant smell from that carpet. I realize this is not what you want to hear.
You would also be well advised to relocate the washing machine to an external location but as this may not be possible you should not leave it in operation while you are absent. Make sure all water connections are secure and that the hoses are in good order (no kinks or cracks). You may also consider getting a 'bund' or tray into which to place the washing machine to contain any possible leaks in future.
Has the water penetrated to a lower floor?
If you are using a dish washer ensure that all of its water connections and hoses are also OK.
Sorry for your trauma - good luck.
- 5 years ago
If you just don't want to replace the carpet get a carpet shampooer and mix a cup of vinegar to every gallon of water and shampoo your carpet. The vinegar will get the sour smell out. As far as mold goes there is a spray you can buy that is so strong it will kill anything from mold to the HIV virus. We have it at work but I can't remember the name. My office is in a basement and has flooded twice, I shampooed with vinegar and used this spray and have had no smell or mold problem. Lysol works great for mold too but it takes a lot of it.
