Is it necessary to replace carpet after water damage?

It depends on the water

Clean water from a supply line or rain, dried quickly, can often be saved. Water from a toilet overflow, sewage or floodwater is contaminated, and the carpet and pad usually need to be replaced for health reasons.

Time matters

Carpet and pad that stay wet for more than a day or two can start growing mold. Stop the water, remove what you can, and get air moving right away.

What to do first

Turn off the water source and power in affected areas if it's safe. Move furniture off the wet carpet. Call a water damage restoration company for large amounts of water; they have the equipment to dry the subfloor.

Signs the carpet should go

A strong musty smell that returns after drying, visible mold on the back of the carpet or on the pad, delaminating backing, carpet that stays wet for days, or any contact with sewage or floodwater. In those cases replacing the carpet and pad is the safe choice, and your insurance adjuster may need to see it before it is removed.

After it's dry

Once the carpet has been properly dried, a professional cleaning removes residue and odor.

Around Long Island

We see water-damaged carpet most in canal and bay-front homes, like those in Freeport, Lindenhurst, Island Park, Baldwin Harbor and Mastic Beach, especially after big storms.