There are several ways you can find yourself having to tackle carpet water damage. It could be from a leaking pipe, a storm, a flash flood or an unfortunate spill. All of these circumstances will require a different approach and can differ significantly is scope and expense. You will need to evaluate your particular situation based on its individual characteristics.
The critical first step is to stop the source of water to prevent any further damage. While sometimes this will be obvious and easy to do, in other cases it may be more difficult. If a pipe has burst within the walls you may need to get in there to access it.
This is further complicated if it is buried behind insulation and a vapor barrier. If you can not conclusively determine where the water is coming from then you will have to call in a professional for help.
You will have to lift up the carpet and throw out the pad underneath if there is one. Attempt to extract as much water from the carpet as possible and don’t delay in doing this. Mold and bacteria can form very quickly which elevates your problem form repairing carpet water damage to a full blown health risk.
This brings us to the different needs when dealing with clean water versus sewer backup. Sewer water can contain serious contaminates that should not be taken lightly or ignored. When cleaning up this type of mess you need to ensure that the room is well ventilated. Were proper protective clothing and equipment.
When you have removed as much of the water from the carpet as possible and treated it with a disinfectant it is time to let it dry out. You can rent industrial fans that will speed up this process. Try to position the carpet so that as much air circulates around it as possible.
If you have any doubts about your ability to evaluate the scope of your carpet water damage including being able to determine if it has extended into the drywall, sub-floor, or wood studs, then you most certainly call in a professional water damage expert. These specialists have the experience and equipment to do a complete and thorough cleanup. While they do charge for their services, the benefits of not running into health problems for you or your family later certainly make it worthwhile.