Help, I Have Had A Flood In My House! What Do I Do?

It happens whether we are prepared for it or not.  We get water in our homes either by way of natural flood or by some type of broken pipe.  This can cause damage to many different things including the floors, carpets and rugs.  Determining whether or not we need to have the carpets and rugs replaced after such damage depends upon a lot of things. 
 
First of all, it will depend upon the amount of time that the water stayed saturating the carpets or rugs.  The longer that the water sat before it was caught and cleaned up, the more likely that it will have to be completely replaced.  If water damage is not caught within the first 24 to 48 hours you run a higher risk of the water starting to carry bacteria and other microorganisms which can cause major problems not only to the carpet, the flooring and the walls, but also has the potential to cause health related issues. 
 
Another thing that you have to take into consideration is the source of the water damage.  If it comes from a broken water pipe or an overflow of water from somewhere within the house, it is likely that you can just clean it up and dry out the carpets.  However, if the water source is from your dishwasher, washing machine you are then dealing with what is termed as ‘Gray Water’.  This means that you will need to have your carpeting and flooring professionally cleaned.  It is also possible that if not caught early enough you will have to have your carpet and padding replaced.  If the damage comes from the outside of your house such as flooding, or comes from your toilet, then it is definitely not good and your best bet is to call in the professionals to get the area cleaned up and professionally assessed to determine what will need to be replaced.  In this situation you will definitely have no choice but to have your carpeting and padding completely removed and replaced.  As for the flooring and the walls, only the professionals will be able to let you know the extent of the damage. 
 
Having water damage to your home, can be a very upsetting and traumatic event, especially if it is an act of nature.  Regardless of the source of your flood you should contact a professional as soon as possible in order to help you clean up and get your home back together.   If you consult the right professionals, you can have this problem dealt with quickly and efficiently.