How to Dry Your Flooded Basement Carpet

If you’ve experienced a flooded basement, it can be a race against the clock to save the carpet and other belongings from water damage. A flooded basement can be caused by oversaturated ground around your home, an overflowing river or stream, a broken sump pump, storm sewer backup, a burst pipe, faulty appliance or plumbing fixture and even seepage through the foundation floor or walls.

Depending on the type of water and the extent of the flood, some carpeting can be saved. The same cannot be said for wet padding, especially in greywater floods. Carpet padding is essentially a giant sponge and can absorb all manner of bacteria and harmful substances from floodwater. Carpets and padding affected by black water floods should be discarded.

Step 1: Remove the water

If you have standing water, such as in a flooded basement, use wet-dry vacuums or pumps to remove as much as you can. Remove as much water manually as possible. Continue to run the wet-dry vacuum over damp carpet slowly and carefully until no more water can be extracted.

Step 2: Dry the room

Any water-damaged furniture must be removed from the room in order to dry thoroughly. Fans and dehumidifiers should be used to circulate fresh air and help with the drying process. Weather-permitting, open doors and windows. If it’s too humid, run the air conditioner instead to minimize moisture in the air.

Step 3: Dry the carpet

As soon as possible, you should remove the carpet from the tack strip and discard padding. This will allow the subfloor to fully dry as well, preventing further damage. “Tent” the carpet over chairs or ladders to allow air to circulate on either side of the carpet.

Step 4: Clean and deodorize

Before cleaning carpets, you must be entirely sure that the basement and your carpets are fully dry. Roto-Rooter professionals can use special instruments to conduct moisture tests, identifying hidden pockets of water and areas still at risk for mold or mildew growth. Enlist the help of a Roto-Rooter professional to steam clean and deodorize carpets. After this process, carpets should be allowed to dry fully for at least 24 more hours before being reinstalled.

Our plumbing experts are well-trained and knowledgeable in the area of water damage restoration. Our trained professionals receive the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and perform water restoration services in compliance with standards for professional water damage restoration. Roto-Rooter’s vehicles are fully equipped with state-of-the art water extraction, drying and moisture testing equipment to handle everything including:

• Water and sewer damage cleanup
• Cleaning and deodorizing
• Drying of contents and structure
• Water Leak Repair