Carpet Water Extraction & Drying

Why the pad matters

Carpet pad is a sponge. After a clean-water leak, the carpet face may feel only damp while the pad underneath is saturated and the subfloor is wet. Drying only the top leaves moisture trapped against the floor, which is how odors and mold start.

How extraction is done

Contractors use truck-mounted or portable extraction units with wands, and often weighted or stand-on extraction tools that compress the carpet and pad to pull water out from below. Several slow passes remove far more water than a household wet vacuum.

Drying carpet in place

After a Category 1 clean-water loss caught early, carpet and sometimes pad can be dried in place. The carpet may be lifted from the tack strip and "floated" with air movers blowing underneath it, while dehumidifiers pull the moisture out of the room.

• Moisture readings to map the wet area, including under walls and furniture
• Extraction of carpet and pad
• Floating the carpet with air movers where appropriate
• Dehumidification and daily readings until dry

When carpet or pad cannot be saved

Water from a washing machine, dishwasher or toilet with waste is Category 2 or 3, and the IICRC S500 standard generally calls for removing affected pad, and carpet in Category 3 cases. Carpet that stayed wet for several days, has delaminated backing, or has been soaked by floodwater is also usually removed. Replacement is a separate flooring purchase.

What to do before the call

Stop the water source, move furniture off wet carpet or put foil or plastic under the legs to prevent staining, and keep foot traffic off the wet area. Note how long the carpet has been wet.

Questions