As Storm Babet causes flooding across the UK, experts reveal tips on how to save water damaged carpets

• Online Carpets have pulled together their top tips for resolving water damage in your carpets

• This follows the recent arrival of Storm Babet in the UK, where a rare red alert was issued by The Met Office for severe weather conditions

• The tips include 6 effective methods to removing water from your carpets, and important things to remember whilst in the process

Storm Babet has truly made her presence known in the last few days, and many regions in the UK are facing the aftermath. With over 70mph winds, and severe rain, many buildings including  shops, pubs and homes flooded within 15 minutes, and over 400 homes in Scotland were evacuated.

Severe weather conditions often trigger a cascade of issues, creating disruptions in transportation, power supply, and instigating concerns about home security and well-being. Online carpet retailer, Online Carpets, have put together 6 tips to help resolve water damage in carpets, to help those affected restore them, and prevent things like mould growth.

Top tips to remove water from carpets

Step 1 – Using a wet vacuum helps with the immediate elimination of water, reducing the likelihood of dampness and the subsequent development of stubborn mildew stains. You can hire a wet vacuum if this is something you don’t already own, or don’t want to purchase.

Another issue that can arise from prolonged exposure to water is delamination. This is when the adhesive bonds between the carpet, and the backing separate. Delamination is something that is not easily fixed, and can worsen over time if the water is not removed, so it’s important to do this as quickly as possible.

Step 2 – Additionally, having adequate airflow within the affected space becomes vital in expelling any lingering odours and aiding the drying process, diminishing any potential long-term damage.

Step 3 – The water that entered your home may have picked up bacteria and germs on the way, so when considering the potential contamination of the floodwater, the recommendation of steam cleaning serves as a preventive measure to rid of any harmful bacteria and germs that have travelled alongside the water, effectively restoring the hygiene of the carpets.

Step 4 – Check the padding underneath your carpet to see if it needs to be replaced. If the water has seeped too far into the padding, it may be more prone to producing mould, so it’s best to check, remove, and replace if needed.

Step 5 – The application of disinfectant chemicals, such as Lysol or other designated carpet cleaning solutions, is encouraged to eliminate any bacteria and germs, thereby reinstating the hygiene and safety of the carpeted surface. Baking soda is also a good alternative to lifting water damage out of your carpet. For larger scale problems, this may not be the best choice, and should only be used for smaller water damaged areas.

Step 6 – On the other hand, bringing someone in for professional cleaning is an effective way to ensure the area is fully decontaminated, and free of water damage.

The experts at Online Carpets have detailed the significance of these instructions, highlighting the challenges of addressing water damage and the importance of timely intervention: “Water damage can be tough to remove from your carpet, especially in severe cases.

“As noted in our guide, it’s important to remove as much water as possible before you progress to any other step.

“After this, checking the padding is vital. While surface appearances might suggest minimal harm, the potential risks posed by hidden moisture can cause more problems, especially when it comes to mould.

“In most cases, partial water damage can be easily fixed, but in more severe cases, such as the recent flooding, consulting professionals to assist you might be the only option, and is a proactive measure to safeguard your surfaces and manage water damage effectively.