Regardless of when the soaking occurred, once you know an issue exists you must take action to clean up the mess. Leaving wet carpet sitting risks not only damaging the carpet and the padding beneath, but risks damaging your subfloor as well. Unattended wet carpet is prone to mold and mildew.
A wet carpet, if not dried immediately, can become problematic. Mold growth is just one of the many problems that can develop but can cause negative effects to your health. Besides mold growth, a wet carpet can stink up your home.
How long did the water sit on your carpet? According to FEMA, you need to begin the cleaning process before that 24 to 48-hour window when mold and mildew begins to grow. Miss that window of time? You will probably need new carpeting.
Unfortunately, it isn't always possible to get your carpets cleaned quickly after flooding. The first 48 hours are critical in stopping the spread of mold. After that, you might be better off removing and replacing your carpet.
Since the water-loss event was a one-off thing, think of it like spilling water on your ceiling instead of the floor. Mold wont grow if you spill water on your carpet/floor, unless you cover it and let it stay damp for a long period of time. Same goes for your ceiling.
But just a fraction of an inch of water can destroy carpet, and the larger the area affected the more likely that's going to happen. So any large leak, overflow, or spill spells carpet trouble. It's important to understand what can happen and what to do about it.
It doesn't take long for mold to start growing in wet carpet. It can start in as little as 24 to 48 hours. The initial growth may be small, but if it's not taken care of right away, it can take a week or two of growing before it's easy to see with you own eyes. It usually happens from delamination.
The majority of carpets should be dry if left for 24 hours if the temperature and air is right. If the carpet is wet for more than two days, it may develop mould, mildew, and bacteria, so it's best to do everything you can to speed up the drying process.
If your carpet gives off musty or sour smells or has discolored white sections, it has succumbed to mold growth.
If you are determined to salvage carpeting soaked with contaminated water, consult a professional cleaning company that services carpets at its own cleaning and drying facilities. A steam cleaning (hot-water extraction) method is preferable. A wall-to-wall carpet soaked by clean rainwater can be salvaged.
Water can only evaporate if humidity levels are low, so it is vital that you create an environment in which water can quickly and efficiently be evaporated from the carpet and removed from the structure.
The easiest way to get the moisture or water out of your carpet is by removing it with a wet vacuum. Wet vacs are the perfect tool for getting rid of water in your carpet. They're relatively inexpensive, and you can easily rent one if you think you may need a wet vac just once.
Our experts abide by the 72-hour rule: If your carpet has been wet for 72 hours or longer, you should talk to us about replacing it. Every home, every carpet, and every leak is different, so discretion should be applied before a decision is made.
If you're only dealing with a spill, you don't need to replace your carpet, as you can always dry it easily using towels, fans, and other methods listed above. But if your carpet, its padding, the floor, and the subflooring are completely soaked, it might be harder to dry, making replacement the ideal option.
The Risks of Sleeping in a Room with Wet Carpet
Soaked carpets provide an ideal breeding ground for moulds, fungi, and bacteria that can be harmful to your health. If the carpet is in your bedroom, there's also the risk of electrocution if any electrical outlets or cords are exposed to water.
A: yes, carpet mold can make you sick, especially if you have pre-existing conditions like asthma or allergies.
Apply A Baking Soda & Vinegar Mixture
For homeowners who prefer natural cleaning methods, a baking soda and white vinegar mixture can be effective for killing some mold. In addition, baking soda and vinegar can help eliminate tough odors resulting from musty fungi.
Apply a mold inhibitor: Several mold inhibitors available on the market can be applied to the carpet to prevent mold growth. Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully when applying the product. Use a fan to dry the carpet: If the carpet is still damp, use a fan to help dry it out.
General Guidelines. Remove and dispose of carpet saturated with “black water.” Remove and dispose of carpet padding saturated with “gray” or “black water” (no exceptions). Carpet padding can be restored if it has been wet from clean water less than 48 hours and if only part of the padding in a room is wet.
Structural damage: If water is allowed to sit in the carpet for too long, it can cause the backing of the carpet to rot and the fibers to weaken. This can lead to structural damage to the subfloor and other parts of the home.
NOTE: Do not use your regular household vacuum cleaner for this task. It is not meant to remove moisture in most cases. Using a wet vac will take care of the initial problem… any standing water that may not have seeped through the carpet and into the pad below.
A single water leak can lead to mold growth if not fixed quickly. Mold loves moist places and can start growing in 24 to 48 hours. Even small water damage can cause mold to grow. It's key to fix water damage fast to lower the water leak mold risk.
It's really straightforward – all you need to do is sprinkle a generous among of baking soda over your wet carpet and let it sit. The baking soda not only absorbs moisture, but it'll also absorb any nasty odours.