Quick answer
Carpet wet with clean water and dried within 24 to 48 hours can often be saved, but the pad underneath has to dry too (EPA). Carpet soaked with floodwater or sewage should be thrown away (EPA flood cleanup report).
Why does the water source decide whether carpet can be saved?
- Clean water (a supply line or a sink overflow): carpet can often be extracted and dried in place.
- Gray water (a washing machine, for example): the restorer typically removes and discards the wet pad, then cleans, sanitizes, and dries the carpet on both sides.
- Black water (sewage or a toilet overflow from beyond the trap): carpet and pad are removed and disposed of.
Examples from the SCRT summary of the IICRC S500 standard.
Can the carpet be saved if the pad is soaked?
The pad holds far more water than the carpet and takes much longer to dry. The EPA notes that carpet backing or padding must be dried along with the carpet, or mold will likely result (EPA Mold Course). That is why pad is often replaced even when the carpet is saved. Pad is the cheaper part.
Water still coming in or standing? A local restoration company can start water removal now.
Call (866) 217-4054What should you do right now about wet carpet?
- Stop the water source.
- Remove as much water as you can with a wet vacuum. A household vacuum is not built for water.
- Move furniture off the carpet, or put foil or plastic blocks under the legs so stains do not transfer.
- Run fans and a dehumidifier. The EPA's guidance for drying carpet within 48 hours is to remove the water, pull the carpet and pad off the floor, and blow air over them (EPA).
- Photograph the wet area and the source before anything is removed.
What does carpet water extraction involve?
A restoration crew uses extraction equipment that pulls far more water out of carpet and pad than a shop vacuum can. They then decide whether to dry the carpet in place, lift it and float it on air, or remove the pad. The subfloor gets checked and dried too. For gray water they clean and sanitize; for black water the carpet goes.
Cost depends on the wet area, the water category, and whether the pad is replaced. Ask for a written estimate before work starts.
Common questions
Will the smell go away on its own?
A musty smell that lingers after a day or two usually means the pad or subfloor is still wet. That is a sign to get moisture readings, not to add air freshener.
Can I use a rented steam machine on it?
Those machines are for shampooing, not water removal. They add water and do not pull enough out of the pad. Extraction and drying come first.
My basement carpet flooded. Is it a lost cause?
It depends on the source. A burst supply line is clean water. Groundwater seepage and sump pump failures are usually gray water. Rising floodwater or sewage means the carpet should go.