HOW
CAN I RESTORE WATER-DAMAGED CARPET? |
There
is no single procedure for dealing with all flood damage situations.
Each situation is different and must be evaluated
individually by an expert.
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Due
to the HIGH RISK of Bacterial or Mold contamination
it is highly recommended that WATER DAMAGE be handled by a Professional.
We at Hydra Mist Carpet Cleaning handle
everything from small water damage situations to Insurance Claims. |
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| TYPES
OF WATER DAMAGE |
Determine
whether the flood water is sanitary, unsanitary ,
or black water. Only in sanitary conditions
should you attempt to clean and restore the carpet yourself.
Cleaning professionals should be called in to handle the adverse
affects of disease-carrying bacteria contained in unsanitary
and black water conditions. |
Category 2 - Unsanitary -- any water with
some degree of biopollutant contamination, including punctured
waterbeds, fish tanks, contaminated toilet and dishwater overflows.
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Category 3 - Black Water -- water that has
come into contact with the ground or that contains raw sewage;
this includes, but is not limited to, natural flooding. Unfortunately,
carpet flooded by black water must be discarded because of the
high-level intrusion of bacteria and other pollutants.
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Before restoration can begin:
you
must identify the source and stop the incoming flow of water
from its source. In sanitary water situations, once the water
has been stopped, extraction of excess water from the carpet
must begin immediately. To reduce the possibility of fungal growth,
the carpet cushion should be discarded. In natural flooding or
rising water situations, the carpet and carpet cushion should
be replaced immediately to minimize possible health concerns. Immediate
Steps: Quickly remove any furnishings that may
be damaged by the intrusion and may stain or damage the
carpet.
Keep traffic over the wet carpet to
a minimum:
Moisture
can weaken the latex backing in carpet, and excess traffic may
cause the backing to separate. Once dry, the backing should regain
much of its original strength. |
| Use fans to increase ventilation,
a vacuum designed to extract water (if available), and dehumidifiers
to speed up the drying process (only in sanitary conditions). The
carpet should be completely dry within
24 hours after the elimination
of the water source, to minimize the growth of bacteria and fungi. |
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Because each
situation is different, consult a cleaning professional to determine
whether or not the carpet can be salvaged. Oftentimes, the insurance
agent will hire a cleaning professional for the homeowner. The
cleaning professional should extract the excess water, clean
and disinfect the carpet, or remove it if necessary. |
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WHAT TO DO WHEN WATER DAMAGE OCCURS |
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Call a Professional
and while
you wait:
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Stop the source of water flow.
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Stay away from contaminated water or electrical
hazards.
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Move furnishings out of wet areas, or protect
legs from moisture absorption with triple-folded aluminum
foil.
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Pin up draperies and upholstery skirts to prevent
water circles.
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IICRC-certified technicians know how to identify
fibers and fabrics, and to select the best cleaning and restoration
options. They are committed to provide you with services
based on the highest level of honesty and integrity.
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The IICRC
recommends that you do not attempt to treat water damage
yourself. To preserve the appearance and life of your carpet
and furniture, hire a certified Technician.
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| FACTS
ABOUT SEWAGE |
| Sewage is
one of the most dangerous substances that can enter buildings.
Unfortunately, people don't understand the hazards that sewage
creates, particularly for small children, the elderly and those
with immune system or respiratory problems. |
Fact
1:
Is sewage from oceans, lakes or rivers clean?
No. This
water contains contaminants such as microorganisms, bacteria
and pesticides. Trapped inside walls or under floor coverings,
it doesn't take long to become a “smelly” health hazard.
Fact 2:
Will chlorine bleach decontaminate sewage?
While
bleach is a remedy, it's quickly inactivated by sewage. Even dead fungi and bacteria
may contain chemicals that cause an allergic response. Affected areas should
be cleaned thoroughly, followed by appropriate disinfectant application.
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Fact 3:
Can sewage-saturated
carpets be “saved"?
Absolutely
not! Porous materials, such as carpet, pad, upholstery, bedding,
wicker, paper goods, or fabrics that can't be washed in hot water,
must be disposed of safely.
Fact 4:
Are partially sewageflooded buildings safe?
Not
unless contaminated areas can be sealed off to prevent cross-contamination of
other areas. Only trained professionals using specialized equipment are qualified
to restore sewage damage.
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Complete cleaning and
decontamination by a professional following the IICRC Standards
for Professional Water Damage Restoration is important. |
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| FACTS
ABOUT MOLD |
Mold becomes a
problem inside a home when there's excessive humidity or moisture.
Mold can grow almost anywhere in a home if conditions permit. If there is visible
growth on painted wall surfaces, a homeowner should be concerned about what may
be growing on the opposite side. The environment inside the walls of a house
often differs drastically from the outside and could create a perfect haven for
mold. If the wall was wet for a prolonged period, it's almost guaranteed that
the mold growth on the back side will be worse than on the front. At that point,
containing the work space and removing moldy materials, followed by cleaning
of salvageable framing, are the best options. |
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Verify
that the moisture source has been eliminated or repaired.
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Contain the area to prevent cross contamination
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Create
negative pressure using specialized air filtration devices
to prevent mold spores from spreading to unaffected areas
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Recommend
an indoor environmental professional to sample and evaluate
the mold problem
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Vacuum affected areas using equipment with
high efficiency filters
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Isolate, remove and properly dispose
of heavily contaminated materials
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HEPA vacuum exposed pockets
of growth
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Dry materials, Correct inspecting
or testing, followed by professional remediation, is the
key to preventing continued mold growth in a home.
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