How do you dry carpet after it gets soaked by water?

Answer 1

How big of an area got soaked? This answer assumes a fairly large area (10x10 or larger)....

Pull it up. You need to dry the carpet padding too. You need to rent carpet fans.

Most experts will tell you that if the padding is soaked through and through.... replace it with new or you risk mold and mildew.

Place every fan you that can get your hands on to run air through the room and out a window. Make sure you have another window across the house open for cross breeze.

Bonus points for rolling in a dehumidifier too. Empty the drawer often!

Good luck!

BTW- you can often contact local carpet companies for this service... and they'll be happy to sell you new padding too :)

Answer 2

My mother had an older (1960s era) portable professional hair dryer, with the hose on it (It was about the size of a bowling bag. She used that to dry wet carpets and furniture. I'm sure you could find a decent one at a 2nd hand/ thrift store or a yard sale.

My mom would set the end of the hose next to the wet area, and turn the dryer on. She would usually check it every 20-30 minutes until it was dry. She always said that was the best way to dry the area without fading or spotting the carpet/fabric. I think she usually used the lower heat settings, but I am not sure.

Answer 3

If you can't hang it outside, rent a carpet cleaner that sucks up water, or contact and hire a carpet cleaning company to do this for you.
The professional machines are stronger, so depending on the amount of water, you may want to consider this.
This is one area where it pays to shop around for a place. Call and compare prices for at least 3 places, or look for coupons in your mailings.
If you can hang this carpet, do so, and after it dries, spray it with foam cleaner and vacuum it up. It may need some Lysol Spray, or Febreze type deodorizer.
good Luck

Answer 4

A complete step-by-step is available at http://carpetbuyershandbook.com/carpet_water_damage.htm.

Essentially, extract water with a wet vacuum. Lift carpet from tack strip and use air movers to dry sub floor and face fiber. be sure to read the section above to limit microbial concerns

Answer 5

I used my carpet shampoo cleaner it has better sucking power
then a wet-vac . Then use fans and a de-humidifer. I removed 30 gallons of water that way.

Answer 6

Try using a wet vac, then use a carpet fan. You can get it done professionallly pretty cheap or use these two items.

Answer 7

Wet vac and extraction, most likely put it back and replace the padding, this is an Insurance loss item, call your agent.

Answer 8

extract the excess water with a wet vac, then ventilate well until dry

Answer 9

use a wet vac, or rent a big one from a rental place... as well as one of those floor fans... they blow air right across the floor level.

Good luck