Remove Water From Carpet Padding

The tools are simple.

Remove water from carpet padding.

In most cases where water has saturated your carpet your carpet padding is a goner. Consider using a dehumidifier to remove even more moisture from the atmosphere. Turn the shop vacuum to the wet setting and run it over the carpet. Get the rolled up carpet out of the house.

You can also use warm water mixed with dish liquid paint thinner or vinegar. Carpet padding is essentially a giant sponge and can absorb all manner of bacteria and harmful substances from floodwater. Red cross officials say many homeowners can get rid of the mold just fine after a flood but it will require a bit of elbow grease. A dehumidifier in a closed room will pull out water fast and can be rented from rental companies.

Once the water is out peel back the carpeting watch out for those rusted sharp nails on the tackless stripping and remove the wet pad. If the weather is hot dry and sunny you can try drying it yourself by rolling it out on your driveway. You re going to want to try to dry the pad without removing the carpet especially if the pad seems to have only gotten a little damp and the subfloor seems dry. Blow air between carpet and padding.

Steam cleaning wet carpet removes any toxins and deodorizes it. Replace it to prevent the main carpet from becoming saturated with mold. Press down on the nozzle to draw water from the base of the carpet and the carpet pad emptying the liquid reservoir when it becomes full. The same cannot be said for wet padding especially in greywater floods.

Pour mineral water on areas of padding glued to the floor. The sooner you start cleaning up after water damage the sooner you can stop mold from growing under your carpet. Cut the pad into strips roll it up and haul it outside. Ideally as soon as possible you should remove the carpet from the tack strip and discard padding.