How To Dry Wet Carpet in the Basement

How to Dry Your Flooded Basement Carpet

Wet-dry vacuuming is just one step in the process of saving your basement carpet from water

A flooded basement can be extremely overwhelming. Your first thoughts are to rescue your belongings and goods, and save the basement carpet before mold starts to grow. Flooded basements can occur from a broken sump pump, leaky plumbing, floodwater over saturating the ground around your foundation, or seepage through the cracks in your foundation floor or walls. It is important to stop the source of water if possible. Next, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Soak Up The Water

When your basement floods you will most likely have standing water to remove this you will need to use a wet-dry vacuum or a pump to remove as much water as you can before getting to the carpet. It is important to remove as much water as possible in this fashion first. The longer the water is allowed to sit, the more water damage may be done to your basement and any items within. Run the vacuum slowly over the entire flooded space, including the carpet, to extract all the water possible. Once the vacuum stops pulling up water, move on to the next step.

Step 2: Create Air Flow

First, you’ll want to remove any water-damaged furniture, boxes, or other items from the basement. This is because mold grows on organic materials like paper, wood, leather, and fabric made from natural fibers. Next, use fans and dehumidifiers to circulate fresh air through the space. If the weather permits, open windows and doors. However, if it is too humid, run the air conditioner to minimize moisture in the air.

Step 3: Dry The Carpet

When the previous two steps are complete, remove the carpet from the tack strip and discard the wet padding. Use chairs or ladders to “tent” the carpet. This will allow air to circulate and fully dry the sub floor.

Step 4: Clean and Deodorize

For the final step, it is imperative that you know the basement and your carpets are fully dry. If possible, conduct moisture tests to find any hidden pockets of water. Any moisture that is trapped in the carpet is a risk for mold and mildew growth. Mold in the basement carpet will not only give your basement a musty smell, but their spores can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms.

Some suggest finding a professional to steam clean and deodorize the carpets. Give the carpets a chance to dry for 24 hours. Once the carpets are 100% dry they can be reinstalled.

Need to Fix Your Wet Basement Leak?

A flooded basement is a headache for any homeowner. Basement flooding can come from floor or wall cracks, or an inadequate sump pump. Once moisture enters your basement it creates a perfect condition for mold to grow. If your basement leak is untreated it is bound to happen again. With a ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing basement waterproofing system, your basement can be made safe and dry again. Whether you use your basement for storage or you want to turn it into a finished space, our interior basement waterproofing solution will make it possible.

If you’d like a free inspection of your foundation cracks or sump pump, contact ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing for a free basement waterproofing estimate.