Does My Carpet Have To Be Replaced?

11/7/2022 (Permalink)

If your carpet has been damaged by water you should remove it as soon as possible.

Do You Need to Replace Carpets After Water Damage?

If you've ever left your water running in the kitchen and then come back to find it's been leaking for hours, you know how bad a small water leak can get. When this happens, you may think about replacing the damaged area of the carpet or repairing it yourself. You may also consider simply ripping it out and starting over with new flooring altogether. However, there are more than a few things that go into deciding whether or not to replace your carpet after water damage occurs. 

How much damage has been done?

The first step is figuring out how much damage has been done. What caused the water damage? How much water was involved? How long were your carpets wet and how long have they been dry? The longer it takes for them to dry, the more likely there will be permanent damage to the carpet fibers.

The amount of time that has passed since water damage occurred also plays a role in whether or not you need to replace your carpeting. If you can't remember when this happened, there are other ways you can determine whether or not it's too late:

What caused the water damage?

• Flooding: Storm drains getting backed up due to heavy rains and snowmelt outside, or excessive rain can result in your home flooding. These types of incidents shouldn’t be taken lightly; they can lead to serious mold growth and structural damage if not addressed quickly.

• Burst pipes: Sometimes water damage is just an accident—it's the result of a burst pipe or other plumbing issue in your home. If you notice your home has developed a leak, turn off the main valve immediately so that no more water flows through the pipe until it can be repaired by professionals. 
• Water damage due to roof leak: Another common cause for unexpected damage? Roofs leaking after heavy rainstorms or snowmelt events can result in a ton of structural damage and standing water inside your home.

Dry it out within 24-48 hours.

The good news is that most carpets can be saved if they are dried out within 48 hours. The bad news is that if you don't take steps to dry it quickly, your carpet will begin to smell and mold can begin to form underneath the carpet. And once that happens, the only way to get rid of the odor is by replacing your carpet entirely.

So what can you do? Start with this: If there was water damage from flooding or leaking pipes or even a burst pipe in your home or business, it's important not to let the wet area sit too long before starting the drying process—especially if you live in an area where mildew and mold are prevalent. Calling your local water cleanup expert as quickly as possible after a water loss is crucial if you want to save your carpets.

Replace or remove?

You will need to consider whether the carpet can be cleaned, or if it is damaged beyond repair.

If it is wet and moldy, remove the carpet as soon as possible. Wet or moldy carpets are not salvageable and should be removed from your home as soon as possible. The same goes for any instance where physical damage has occurred—whether from flooding or simply being walked on in an unclean state. The longer you leave these carpets in place, the more likely they are to become infested with bacteria and other harmful substances that can cause problems.

Mold is often difficult to completely remove from carpeting because it grows deep within the fibers of the material which makes it harder to reach with cleaners designed specifically for cleaning carpets. If your carpet is already damaged by mold or mildew then replacing your carpet might be necessary.

Call a professional right away.

If your home in Los Gatos, CA, has experienced water damage, it is possible to salvage the carpet. Call a professional right away. Professional water cleanup experts will remove the water, dirt, and bacteria that are responsible for odors and unsightly stains. The professionals will also help prevent mold and mildew from forming on your carpet while they're working on it. They'll also make sure that any permanent damage is prevented by following industry-standard procedures when they clean your carpets so you can save money in the long run by avoiding replacement costs!