Water damage can be catastrophic for any homeowner. Are you asking, “Can a carpet be saved after water damage?” The answer to this question really depends. For example, if your carpet has been wet for 3 days or more, you should consider just having it replaced instead of saving it. Mold only takes 72 hours to form and spread and after this time, it can be challenging to thoroughly clean your carpet. However, with the help of a professional water damage restoration company, you can salvage your carpets with the right cleaning.
Saving Carpets After Water Damage
Are you asking, “How can you save a carpet after water damage?” It depends on whether you choose to do it yourself or call in a professional. While many benefits can come from extracting the water yourself, it is always better to call in a professional. Towels, ceiling fans, and a shop vacuum do not compare to the professional extraction equipment that is used. Additionally, a professional will be able to evaluate the extent of the water damage incident and remediate the entire loss instead of just the carpet.
The entire mitigation process should also begin immediately. If not, your carpet can end up with permanent damage. If you want a better chance at saving your carpet, you should consider reaching out to a professional restoration company soon after you notice the water damage. They have all of the tools and expertise required to sanitize and dry the wet carpet the right way.
Professional carpet cleaning can bring your carpet back to life, with the exception of black water flooding. The goal of professional cleaning is to restore, not replace. An expert can save you time and money by avoiding the cost of replacement.
Tips to Avoid Carpet Mold Following Damage
Prior to assuming that your carpet needs to be replaced following water damage, you may want to note a few tips to avoid carpet mold following a burst pipe, flood, or another incident.
Make sure that you stop water at its source immediately. Never assume that just because floodwaters are not rising, they are instead receding or have stopped. Be sure to close off entryway doors using rolled-up towels to prevent outside floodwaters from flowing in.
Avoid using strong fans that may blow dirty or contaminated water when increasing air circulation around damp areas. Instead, open windows in the areas where the water is and keep doors closed as much as possible.
Only use heavy-duty dehumidifiers in the area and make sure that you empty them. This will help to remove any excess water buildup without circulating it.
Always keep your carpet pulled up even after the underside of the carpet is dry to the touch. This ensures that the padding, carpet, floors, and other surfaces are completely dry, thus reducing the risk of mold growth.
Always use sanitizing solutions to clean the baseboards and drywall. This will also keep bacteria and germs from spreading to other areas in the home.
Oriental rugs have become prized possessions for some homeowners. They are usually used for the aesthetics they bring to the property. These products require little maintenance and are easy to clean, making them very popular. However, there’s a chance that you might purchase a fake oriental rug from the stores. Here’s how to spot a fake oriental rug.
1. Bleeding Rug Colors
Oriental rugs made of natural fibers will usually bleed when they get wet. If the colors on your rug start to bleed, then it’s most likely a fake. This is because the manufacturers use synthetic dyes when making fake oriental rugs. These dyes are not colorfast, and they will start to run as soon as they come into contact with water.
2. Poor Quality of Wool
If you’re looking at a woolen oriental rug, then you should be able to tell if it’s fake or not by checking the quality of the wool. Real oriental rugs are made from high-quality wool that is soft to the touch. On the other hand, fake ones are usually made from low-quality wool that feels harsh and prickly. Poor quality wool is also more likely to shed, so if you notice any wool fibers on the floor, it’s a good indication that the rug is fake.
3. Inconsistent Patterns
When you’re looking at an oriental rug, you should be able to see a consistent pattern throughout the entire carpet. If the pattern is not consistent, it’s most likely a fake. This is because the manufacturers of fake oriental rugs usually don’t have the skills and knowledge to create consistent patterns. Inconsistent patterns are a dead giveaway that an oriental rug is fake.
3. Unfinished Edges
Another way to spot a fake oriental rug is by checking the edges. Real oriental rugs will have finished edges that are neatly trimmed and free of fraying. On the other hand, fake ones usually have unfinished and frayed edges. This is because the manufacturers of fake oriental rugs typically ignore detail and don’t take the time to finish the edges properly.
4. Lack of Weight
Oriental rugs are usually quite heavy because they’re made from high-quality materials. If an oriental rug is light, it’s most likely a fake. The lack of weight is usually because fake oriental rugs are made from lower-quality materials. A heavy oriental rug is a sign of quality, so it’s most likely a fake if your rug is light. A lightweight rug is another dead giveaway that an oriental rug is not the real deal.
5. Lack of Fringe
Oriental rugs that are made from high-quality materials will usually have a fringe. The fringe is usually made from the same material as the rug itself. If the oriental rug you’re looking at doesn’t have a fringe, it’s likely a fake. If the fringe is made from a different material, it’s also most likely a fake. Avoid oriental rugs that have fringes made from synthetic materials such as polyester.
Conclusion
Fake oriental rugs are becoming more and more common. With that said, you must know how to spot a fake before purchasing. The tips in this article will help you spot a fake oriental rug from a mile away. For professional oriental rug cleaning, contact Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center.
Traditionally, a majority of the homeowners take their drapes and curtains to the professionals for cleaning services. This explains why it has not been a common practice to find homeowners undertaking drape cleaning services on their own. However, if you want to clean drapes at home, some approaches follow.
1. Identify the Material
You should know that different drape materials will always require other cleaning methods. Therefore, the first step is to identify the fabric of your drape. This way, you will be able to determine the most appropriate cleaning method and products. Some materials are delicate, and they might require hand washing, while others can do with machine washing.
2. Check the Care Label
If you want to clean your drapes at home, check the care label. The care label will usually have all the instructions you need to follow in cleaning your drape without causing any damage. Carefully follow all the instructions provided on the care label. Traditionally, most drapes will have a “dry clean only” label.
3. Start by Dusting
You should also start by dusting your drapes before you can proceed to any other form of cleaning. Dust accumulates on curtains, making the fabric look dull. You can use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to dust your drape. Ensure that you vacuum both sides of the drape to remove all the dust.
4. Test the Cleaning Products
You should also test the cleaning products before using them on your drape. This is because some materials are sensitive, and they might get damaged by some cleaning products. To test the products, you should apply a small amount to an inconspicuous area of the drape and observe to see if there are any adverse effects.
5. Wash According to the Instructions
Once you have tested the products, you can proceed to wash your drape according to the instructions provided. If you are hand-washing, you should use cool water and a mild detergent. You should also use cool water and a mild detergent for machine washing. Avoid using hot water as it might damage the fabric.
6. Dry Your Drapes
After washing, you should proceed to dry your drapes. You can either air dry or machine dry. However, you should avoid using high heat when machine drying as it might damage the fabric. Drying drapes and curtains can be challenging, and it might take some time. However, you should be patient and allow them to dry completely.
You can also iron your drape after it has dried completely. This is an optional step, but it will help remove any wrinkles on the fabric. You should use a cool setting when ironing and avoid using high heat as it might damage the fabric.
Conclusion
Cleaning your drapes at home is not as demanding a task as it might seem. With the right approach and products, you can easily clean your drape without causing any damage. However, in some instances, you’ll need professional drape cleaning services. Reach out to Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center for your drape cleaning needs.
Although appropriate maintenance can significantly increase the life of a carpet, every carpet that is regularly used will ultimately require replacement. Some signs that your carpet needs replacement are obvious, but others are more subtle. The following are some signs that your carpet requires replacement.
Stains
Most carpets have a stain-resistant finish. However, with time, it fades and ultimately makes the carpet vulnerable. Fortunately, professional carpet cleaners have the expertise to eradicate stains. Nevertheless, tough stains sometimes do not go away. Plant food, tea, Bleach, mustard, and wine are typically the most stubborn stains.
Stains due to pet urine, vomit, feces, mildew, and mold are generally easy to remove if you act fast. However, these substances ultimately infiltrate the carpet padding, resulting in mildew and mold accumulation under the carpet. In case these stains are in many places, you should consider replacing your carpet to avoid health risks with mold.
Wear and Tear
Significant wear and tear on the walkways and matted carpetare key signals that your carpet needs replacement.
Polyester gets matted easily, losing its form. When the carpet loses its tuft, it does not go back to normal. Nylon carpets, however, are generally hardier than polyester ones and respond well to cleaning.
You can carry out carpet repair on small wear and tear. However, large tears and rips signal the need for carpet replacement, more so if they are present on major walkways.
Stinky carpet
If you have not cleaned your carpet in a while or own a pet, you might sense a persistent odor on your carpet, but the scent should disappear or be markedly reduced after an appropriate cleaning. If it does not, it implies that the scent has gone deep into the fibers of the carpet, the carpets pad, or the subfloor, and might also indicate mildew and mold growth.
In these circumstances, it would be more cost-effective to do carpet replacement to fully eradicate the odors.
Carpet padding condition
Carpet padding assists in supporting the carpet making it comfortable to lay and walk on. It absorbs sounds, keeping a room quieter and even enhances insulation. Nevertheless, carpet padding absorbs spillages, and cleaning the carpet does not essentially clean the padding. Signals of old padding are wrinkles, unevenness, and a creasing sound when you walk on it.
Persistent allergy symptoms
Regularly, older carpets get and hold more allergens, causing allergies to escalate. If there is an upsurge in allergies, your older carpet might be one of the sources. A solution could be engaging specialized carpet cleaners. Nevertheless, it might be helpful to your health if you replace the carpet.
Old carpet
Believe it or not, a carpet does not last forever, even with utmost care. According to most manufacturers, carpets can last for around ten years with appropriate care.
Afterward, signs of wear and tear appear on the main walkways, and fibers begin losing their tuft and texture. Some common signs of old carpet are fading, color loss, wrinkles, ripples, matting, and lack of padding support.
Not many businesses will think about stripping and waxing the floors. However, even though it may seem to be unnecessary, stripping and waxing have many benefits that you may not know about. Whether you have a business office, hotel, or any other type of commercial property, here is why you should think of stripping and waxing the floors:
To Maintain Cleanliness
One of the main benefits of stripping is waxing is to give the flooring a fresh, new, and clean look. It is quite hard to keep flooring in businesses clean because of the large space and heavy foot traffic. Moreover, usually, business owners do not ask their clients and visitors to remove their shoes before stepping on the floor. For this reason, businesses should consider stripping and waxing that will help the flooring look cleaner and make it last longer.
To Eliminate Moisture
Another benefit is that floor waxing and stripping help keep moisture off the flooring. Water and moisture are not good for the floor because they lead to mold formation, make the flooring look darker and harming it. Moreover, floors with moisture can be slippery and dangerous for anyone who steps on them.
To Protect the Flooring From Scratches
If your business has a lot of foot traffic, the flooring will probably develop scratches and marks over time. As a result, the floor will look worn out and dull. To prevent permanent scratches or make them look less obvious, you should have your flooring stripped and waxed regularly.
To Prevent Discoloration of the Flooring
If the flooring does not have property protection, it may become discolored over time. Debris and dirt can penetrate the floor, creating stains that are hard to remove. With the help of commercial floor waxing and stripping, you can remove these stains and provide your floor with the necessary protection. As a result, your floor will not only look better, but it will also serve your business longer.
Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center – Get Your Flooring Stripped and Waxed by Dedicated Professionals
Are you looking for a company specializing in stripping and waxing in New Jersey? Then, you should contact the experts at Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center who will make your flooring look new again. When it comes to stripping and commercial floor waxing, we are experienced, trained, and equipped to perform it safely and efficiently. To schedule a service or get a consultation, do not hesitate to contact a member of our team.
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