Washer Overflow, broken pipe, sump failure? No matter how your carpets got wet, A-1 has the tools and know how to get the carpets dry. Bottom line is carpet drying in the first 72 hours is critical. After 72 hours carpet backing breaks down and mold and mildew set in. It only gets worse from there. Shop vacs and fans won't do the job. Call us to help you evaluate the situation and see what the next step is for you.
First thing! DO NOT PANIC
2. Stay clear of the flooded area until power is off to the entire area.
3. Find the source of the water and stop it if possible.
4. Call A-1 @ 605-359-1098 we will start the water removal process.
5. Call your Insurance Agent.
Drying wet carpets may seem simple – dry them. When it comes to drying wall to wall carpeting, however, the task becomes more difficult while the carpet itself is not all that absorbant, the carpet acts as a filter for the water and goes right through to the padding or cushion underneath.
Cushion or Padding
Most carpeting will have a pad or cushion installed under, this padding acts like a sponge when it becomes wet. Drying wet pad is neither healthy nor practical considering the cost of pad.
Even if you clean your carpets very regularly, the soil in the carpet mixes with the flood water and becomes "Brown" water. Carpet padding absorbs and traps water so effectively that not all of the water can be removed even with our commercial grade water extraction equipment. Since it cannot be dried completely, the padding has to be replaced or it would be very unsanitary otherwise, becoming a breeding ground for bactieria and molds and causing the subfloor or worse the wood floors under the carpet to rot.
The Subfloor
To treat the subfloor, the following steps are taken: First, all standing water is extracted. After this, fans and dehumidifiers will be used to air dry the subfloor and baseboards and sheetrock if affected. To help prevent mold growth, antimicrobial sprays will be applied on the floor. Once these steps are done, a new carpet pad will be installed.
Types of Water Damage
In water damage situations, one very important factor is the type of water that has affected the carpet. It will determine how to procede properly/ There are three types of water based on its source: Category 1 is clean water that comes from a broken water supply pipe, for example; Category 2 is gray water that contains biological or chemical contaminants such as water coming from kitchen sinks; and Category 3 is black water which is heavily toxic and is basically domestic or industrial water waste.
Unfortunately, there is no saving the carpet if it is affected by Category 3 water since these types of water contain contaminants and pose serious health risks. Likewise, the carpet must also be thrown out and replaced if mold has begun to grow. If the carpet was flooded with Category 1 water or there is no mold development, it can be cleaned and reinstalled after being completely dried.
Call A Professional
Obviously, drying wet carpets as described above requires a lot of work and is something most homeowners and their insurance companies would rather hire someone else to do. Fortunately, A-1 Carpet Service would not only be glad to do the job for you but, more importantly, has the training and equipment to do it properly and completely.
Many so called "emergency services" or "restoration" companies charge you 3 times what we do to just extract water and pull padding, then the goughing starts from there. A-1 Carpet Service is commited to seeing the project through to re-installed carpet in a timely manner.
Here's the best tip I can offer: If the company you called can not reinstall the pad and carpet AND CLEAN THE CARPET, you called the wrong company.
All floooded carpet must be cleaned and sanitized after reinstall, this is not optional.
If your in a Mess and you need the water out!
Call A-1 Carpet Service @ 605-359-1098 24 hour Emergency Service*
*Minimum Emergency Service call charges will apply.
