Saving Carpet After Water Damage - PuroClean

Can We Save Carpet?


A pipe breaks and water is everywhere. The policyholder calls the insurance agent and the restoration process begins. Timing is important. The sooner the policyholder makes the call, the quicker the response will be, and in most cases, the lower the total costs of restoration.

Though many issues can be discovered involving water damage, this article focuses on just one - the carpet. Of all the dollars spent on property claims, floor covering is by far the most expensive category. If we can save a large percentage of water-damaged floor coverings, the savings would be significant on a national scale.

CAUTIONING CUSTOMERS

As with any property damage, health and safety is of primary importance. The customer should be cautioned about slipping and falling on wet flooring, electrical hazards, contaminated water, and falling debris such as drywall or acoustical ceiling tiles. Some customers attempt to extract the water themselves. While this can be of some benefit, a shop vacuum, towels, and ceiling fans are no replacement for professional extraction and drying equipment.
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE

Quick response is critical. The longer the unwanted water is allowed to remain, the more likely the carpeting will be permanently damaged. Regardless of the hour, the mitigation process should begin without delay. It is very important to get a professional mitigator involved as soon as possible. The very best opportunity to save carpet (and other items) is to have professionals on site immediately.

CONTAIN AND CONTROL

The initial phase of the mitigation process includes addressing safety issues and employing contain-and-control procedures. Carpet is a multi-layered installation with a big sponge (padding) under it. Standing water must be pumped or extracted to prevent migration of water into adjoining areas and sub-surfaces. Professional moisture meters are used to determine the exact location and extent of water damage. The source of the water will determine whether the carpet and padding can be saved.



DETERMINING CATEGORY OF LOSS

The first step professional mitigation companies take is determining the category of loss as follows:
Category-1 ("clean" water)
A Category-1 loss is from a clean water source and has not come in contact with materials that carry a health concern for the occupants. This would include broken water pipes, leaking hot water heaters, tub or sink overflows, etc. With Category-1 type losses, professionals can extract water from the carpet and pad and dry them both, in place! This dramatically reduces the cost of the claim and helps restoration efforts move faster.
Category-2 ("grey" water)
Category-2 is not a clean water source since it contains contaminates with the potential to cause discomfort or sickness if swallowed or contacted. This would typically include overflow from washing machines or dishwashers, toilet overflows with no solid matter, broken aquariums, sump pump failures, etc. Because of the additional contamination, this type of loss requires the replacement of the padding, but the carpet itself is usually salvageable. If, however, a Category-2 loss is not treated promptly (generally within 48 hours) it will "degrade" to a Category-3.
Category-3 ("black" water)
A Category-3 is water that is grossly contaminated -- containing pathogenic or other harmful agents and materials. Examples of this type of loss include sewage; toilet backflows that originate beyond the toilet trap (regardless of color); all forms of flooding from seawater, rivers, or streams; rising ground water; and water entering the structure from hurricanes, storms, or other weather-related events.
This water condition is of primary concern when it comes to the health and safety of the occupants. It should be treated seriously! Policyholders should not expose themselves to Category-3 water. If, for some reason it is necessary, then they should be cautioned and reminded to wear gloves, shoe protection, and other items to protect themselves. Mitigation professionals, however, are expecially trained to handle this type of loss and are the best guarantee of property containment.
Industry standards require that carpet and pad that have been contaminated with black water must be bagged, removed from the structure, and disposed of in an appropriate location. This also applies to other absorbent materials that have come in contact with black water such as textiles, drywall, etc. Professional restoration companies understand this and operate accordingly.
Property training is the key. Every water damage situation is different. There are varying circumstances that determine whether the carpet can or should be saved. Its age, condition, the type of installation and quality of material are all factors that need to be considered. The goal of a restoration company is to savfe and "restore." Restoration saves money because higher replacement costs are avoided. Home owners also return to their normal lives more quickly with successful restoration.
Mitigation professionals have the training and knowledge to evaluate each situation and to determine the best course of action. They are also trained to communicate well with policyholders, agents, and adjusters to insure that everyone understands the restoration process and proper procedures involved.


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If you need any assistance regarding the entire process of handling your water damage concerns, please call 440-748-7876.

NE Ohio's "Paramedics of Property Damage"