When flood damage occurs, one of the most vulnerable parts of your property is its carpeting. This leads many home and business owners who have suffered flood damage to wonder if their carpet and its pad can be saved. After all, carpeting is quite expensive, and restoration is typically much more affordable than replacement.
Often a good quality carpet can be saved. However, there are a few factors to consider in determining whether a flood-damaged carpet and its pad can be saved. The most important factor is what type of floodwater the carpet was exposed to. Let’s take a look at the categories of floodwater restoration professionals use to give you an idea of whether your carpet may be able to be saved.
The Three Categories of Flood Water
As we said, the largest determiner of the ability for your carpet to be saved comes down to the type of floodwater your carpet was exposed to. Professional water restoration services divide these into three categories. Let’s take a look at each of these three categories to give you an idea of what to expect.
Category 1
This type of floodwater comes from a fresh source that hasn’t been exposed to contaminants. Sources include rain or a busted water supply line. So long as this water is not left to set, the carpet can likely be saved through a thorough drying and sanitizing process. However, if the water is left to sit for longer than 1-2 days, it can become category 2 water.
Category 2
Category 2 water is often referred to as greywater, and it can present a risk to individuals who touch or swallow it. This water has been contaminated but not with solid waste or other severely hazardous contaminants.
Sources may include leaks from washing machines and dishwashers as well as from toilet overflows that did not involve solid waste. Generally, the carpet can be saved with a thorough cleaning, drying, and sanitizing process; however, the padding will need to be replaced. Without treatment within 1-2 days, category 2 water will progress to category 3 water.
Category 3
Water in this category is often referred to as black water, and it is highly dangerous to even remain near, let alone touch or swallow. This water has been highly contaminated with waste, chemicals, pathogens, or all of the above.
Sources of this water may include sewage, flooding from storms, or bodies of water. Plus, if any other category of water is left long enough, pathogens will build up and cause the water to become category 3. Once a carpet and its pad have been thoroughly exposed to this category of floodwater, it can almost never be saved.
However, no matter how bleak it may seem, every situation is unique, and it is impossible to say whether your carpet can be saved until it is checked by a professional. When performed quickly, water damage restoration is often an option, and in certain situations, even category 3 water damage may be able to be restored with professional treatment.
Final Thoughts
When water damage happens, your carpet’s best hope is a quick response. Depending heavily on the type of water damage, it is possible that your carpet and its pad may be able to be saved. However, speed is always key when it comes to water restoration.
Contact Us
If your carpet is in need of water restoration, you need to contact ABH Services Inc. Our fast response and professional water extraction and restoration can give your carpet its best shot at making it. Call us at (781) 941-2422 and connect with us on Facebook.