In the event of a flood, leak or spill-over in your home, one of the first things that gets wet is the flooring. This can be especially problematic for carpeting. The fibers in carpets are backed with materials that can break down in water. Water and humidity provide a breeding ground for mold and mildew. It is important to employ water damage restoration in Edmond OK as soon as you discover the water damage. The faster you act the better chance you have of saving your carpet. You usually have around a 48 hour window of opportunity to save the carpet, depending on the type of water involved in the flood and the temperature and humidity of the affected area.
Your first step in water damage restoration in Edmond OK is locating and stopping the flow of water into the room to avoid more damage. Once the source of the problem is found, you should identify the type of water you are dealing with. There are three classifications of water: clean, gray & black. Clean water comes from sources such as facets and pipes and, like its name implies, contains no contaminants. Gray water has the potential to carry some impurities. Sources of gray water include overflowing washing machines or leaking dishwashers. The last category is black water. This type of water is highly unsanitary and can contain microorganisms, toxins and other contaminants. Groundwater and sewage are types of black water. Usually carpets that have been flooded with clean or gray water can be salvaged, but if black water has been involved, it is recommended that you discard both the carpet and pad.
If you determine that the water involved is clean or gray, your next step is to dry the carpet and pad. Depending on the extent of the water damage you may choose to either hire a company that specializes in water damage restoration in Edmond OK or to handle the problem yourself. You should consider checking with your homeowner’s insurance company to see if the cost of hiring a professional is covered in your policy.
Should you choose to dry the carpet yourself, you should first empty the room of any furnishings or elevate them on blocks. Next, lift the edges of the flooring up and inspect the backing and pad for any signs of deterioration or mold. If it looks okay, a wet vacuum can be used to suction as much moisture away from the carpet and pad. Once the excess water is removed, you can set up a strong floor fan to aid in drying out the damp flooring. If you live in an area of high humidity, you might also want to consider using a dehumidifier.
Follow these steps to employ water damage restoration in Edmond OK. You can restore your carpets to before-flood condition with water damage restoration in Edmond OK.