Should I pull The Carpet Back?

[crokett]

Long story but my wife did laundry today without a drain for the washer. The water ran across my shop floor and got in the carpeting for the family room. It was wet but not squishy wet. One spot was wet to about 2' out from the wall, the rest was more or less within 3" of the wall. I rented a cleaner/extractor and vacuumed it until it would not pull up any more water. Now the carpet is about as wet as you'd get when washing it. Question is, should I pull back the carpeting on that wall to get at the pad or will it dry ok? I mean when you clean a carpet, water gets in the pad, right?

Assuming I got enough water out will it wick more from the floor and will it hurt to hit it with the extractor in the morning again?

[steve-norrell]

I had always been told that you have to replace the foam backing because it is almost impossible to get dry. If left damp, it will get smelly and probably start a very good crop of mold.

We had some serious flooding several years ago and got water into the downstairs. The carpet could be dried, but we had to replace the foam backing.

Good luck. Regards, Steve

[OpaDC]

I had always been told that you have to replace the foam backing because it is almost impossible to get dry. If left damp, it will get smelly and probably start a very good crop of mold.

We had some serious flooding several years ago and got water into the downstairs. The carpet could be dried, but we had to replace the foam backing.

Good luck. Regards, Steve

Agree. Imagine a sponge, no matter how much you wring it out it is still wet. Now cover it with a towel and away from any free flowing air and you will see how long it stays wet. Same principle as the carpet pad.

[just started]

When my mother had a broken water line in her condo in Fla. they pulled the carpet up in the doorways and forced air under the carpet, with big squirrel cage fans, for 2 or 3 days. After that it was fine.

[crokett]

We had a flood 2 years ago and the entire carpet was squishy wet. They pulled it, tossed the pad and let the blowers run for 2 days.

I will pull the carpet in one spot tomorrow and see how bad the pad is. Dumb question but doesn't cleaning a carpet get water into the pad, or do you not put enough water down to do that?

[viking4949]

I used to own a carpet cleaning company, so I have a few $.02 to add lol. Properly cleaning the carpet does not get the pad wet, using rental machines properly should not overwet the carpet and get the pad wet. That being said, most people have the "if a little works well, a lot will work great" mentality and overwet the carpet. You have more issues than just moisture at this point. You have dirty, soapy water residue in your carpet. Without properly rinsing it out, the residue will attract dirt like there is no tomorrow. Contrary to common sense, you need to go over the area a few times with clear water rinsing to help eliminate the residue. You do need to pull the carpet back and put a fan on the backing and pad. If the area effected is small, a fan and a dehumidifier will work nicely. What about your walls? Is the drywall sucking up the moisture? Are the walls insulated? Is the insulation wet? Mold is your biggest enemy and the fastest you can get the entire area dry the better.

Viking4949

[dbhost]

I have my opinions of carpet (get rid of that allergen trap), but assuming that you want to keep it... I would pull it up, and air it out with blowers...

[cabinetman]

I used to own a carpet cleaning company, so I have a few $.02 to add lol. Properly cleaning the carpet does not get the pad wet, using rental machines properly should not overwet the carpet and get the pad wet. That being said, most people have the "if a little works well, a lot will work great" mentality and overwet the carpet. You have more issues than just moisture at this point. You have dirty, soapy water residue in your carpet. Without properly rinsing it out, the residue will attract dirt like there is no tomorrow. Contrary to common sense, you need to go over the area a few times with clear water rinsing to help eliminate the residue. You do need to pull the carpet back and put a fan on the backing and pad. If the area effected is small, a fan and a dehumidifier will work nicely. What about your walls? Is the drywall sucking up the moisture? Are the walls insulated? Is the insulation wet? Mold is your biggest enemy and the fastest you can get the entire area dry the better.

Viking4949

I agree 100%. Getting the carpet and pad wet can be a real problem. Even with shampooing a carpet, without extensive and effective vacuuming first (which usually doesn't occur) the dirt in the carpet and the moisture make up dirty water. The so-called "mildew proof" padding, whether it's flat foam or the waffle, can be a host for mold and other nasty things.

The sooner you get it all aired out the better.
.

[crokett]

Underneath the carpet is concrete and my kids need some place soft to play (upstairs is not carpted).

I pulled it up and the dehumidifier going and fans are blowing on the one bad spot.

No insulation in walls and they are still bare studs on the shop side so not too worried about them. They aren't wet anyway. Baseboard was a little damp.

[crokett]

Well the fans have been running all day. I got some paint cans to lift the pad off the floor and then lifted the carpet off the pad. Everything seems to be drying nicely - most of it is dry. I will check it in the AM and see where I am.

In the meantime, this afternoon I replumbed the friggin washer drain and made sure it was working.