Drying Wet Carpet: 6 Things To Avoid

When a flood or other water emergency strikes, drying wet carpets is one of the first things you should do. 

Making sure that your carpets are dry is important for many reasons, one of the biggest being that the more time you waste, the worse the effects of the wet carpets will become.

Mould, structural damage, and unpleasant smells are just a few of the issues that you may find yourself having to deal with if you don’t dry your carpets the right way and at the right time.

In this blog post, we will discuss some things that you should avoid when drying your wet carpets. By following our tips, you can minimise the amount of water damage your home suffers.

1. Don’t Use a Household Fan

While it may seem like a good idea to use a household fan to dry out your carpets, this can actually do more harm than good.

With the wrong technique, the high-speed air from the fan will only serve to spread the water around, making it harder to remove. Additionally, the fan blades can damage the carpet fibres if brought too close to the carpet.

2. Don’t Use a Heat Gun or Hair Dryer

Another tool that you should avoid using to dry out your carpets is a heat gun or hair dryer.

Using a hair dryer may lead to uneven drying, which may result in dampness in some areas, and unpleasant smells may begin to circulate after some time.

Worse still, the intense heat from the hair dryer or heat gun can burn or discolour the carpet if special attention is not given during drying.  

3. Don’t Use Chemical Cleaners

When trying to clean up water damage, it’s important to avoid using any harsh chemicals, especially if you’re not sure of the best application of it.

These chemicals can damage the carpet fibres, making them more susceptible to further water damage.

4. Don’t Use a Steam Cleaner

While a steam cleaner may seem like a good way to remove water from your carpets, it’s only recommended if you have experience and know how to do use it effectively in the case of a wet carpet.

The steam cleaner’s high heat setting can damage the carpet if not used correctly, making it more vulnerable to water damage.

5. Don’t Walk on the Carpet

Finally, it’s important to avoid walking on the wet carpet. This will only serve to spread the water around and could damage the carpet fibres. 

More so, walking on wet carpets can lead to discolouration, especially of shoes or feet are dirty. 

6. Don’t Wait to Call a Professional

If you’re dealing with water damage, it’s important to call a professional as soon as possible.

A professional will have the tools and knowledge necessary to properly dry out your carpets, preventing further damage.

Conclusion

Drying a wet carpet is not an easy task if you don’t have the equipment or expertise. This is where professional carpet cleaning services can go a long way in simplifying the process for you.

At Flood Response, we specialise in water damage restoration and can help you to get your carpets back in a healthy condition. 

Get in touch with us today for more information.

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Other topics you may be interested in:

5 Tips to Prevent Carpet Water Damage

3 Tips for Preventing Water Damage in Your Home

Do You Need a Flood Damage Repair Company? 5 Signs To Know