How to dry your wet carpet after water damage using a dehumidifier

Read our tips on how to dry your wet carpet quickly after flood or water damage to prevent mould, mildew or bacteria and protect your home.

How to dry your wet carpet after water damage using a dehumidifier

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One of the major problems faced by homeowners caught in extreme weather is water damage, and it’s extra painful if there’s been damage to your carpets. If you’re currently concerned with how to dry your wet carpet after water damage, then read on. Our top tips on how to dry wet carpets quickly will have you back to normal in no time with minimal damage.

Evaporate

Your best bet is to use a dehumidifier to dry your wet carpet after water damage, especially if a large area (or the entire home) is carpeted. This will do all the hard work for you and ensure those flood waters don’t cause lasting damage.

Seal off the room and run the dehumidifier. If the floor and padding are wet, raise the carpet at one corner of the room and prop it up whilst the unit runs to allow air flow. As always, be safe and cautious when running any electrical appliance in wet or damp areas. Read the manual or instructions to ensure proper usage.

This method should be used in conjunction with anything else you do, as this will ensure the area is totally dry. To encourage the water to evaporate you need to create airflow, so air conditioning units, fans and hair dryers will all help. Please be cautious when using electrical items around a lot of water.

Act fast

The quicker you can get the area dry the better your chances of avoiding mould, mildew or bacteria which may affect your health. Therefore, dry your wet carpet after water damage as soon as possible to avoid further irreversible damage to your flooring or carpet.

If it’s just a small rug or area of carpet that is wet, your best bet is to lift it off the floor and hang it somewhere airy to dry. But if you’re facing wall-to-wall wetness, you’ll need a little more help.

Clear the area

Move furniture off the wet carpet. This is to allow the air to flow, which will begin to dry the carpet out. However, you also need to assess the carpet padding and the floor beneath to see if the water has affected them. You will also prevent damage to both the furniture and the carpet.

Remove water

Dry your wet carpet after water damage by spreading as many towels as you can find over the wet area. Then, walk up and down them so that your weight helps the towel absorb the water from the carpet.

When the towels are sodden, wring them out in the bath and hang to dry, replacing with new towels on the floor until they are no longer absorbing water.

Some vacuum cleaners are able to lift water from carpets, so you can opt to use them to dry your wet carpet after water damage. If you don’t own one you will be able to rent one locally.

Run this over the carpet several times until the tank stops filling up. If you have a regular home vacuum this will not work and could be extremely dangerous, so please check first.

Be sure to check underneath the carpet to see if the water has leaked through to the padding and the floor below. If it has, the above steps will not be enough to dry your wet carpet, you will need to at least partially lift the carpet to allow air to dry the padding and floor.

Wishing you all the best in getting your home or office as good as new. 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general reference only. Please seek advice from professionals according to your needs.

Ionmax Australia

Ionmax Australia

Founded in 2003, Ionmax Australia has received numerous awards and accolades for its innovative products and commitment to customer satisfaction. Ionmax dehumidifiers and air purifiers have been recognised for their effectiveness in reducing indoor air pollutants and improving air quality. The company is committed to researching and developing new and improved products that meet the needs and expectations of its customers, making it a trusted name in households across Australia and beyond.

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