Water Damage: Questions and Answers

If my carpet and pad is wet, is it ruined?

In most cases, your carpet and pad is restorable IF the water was clean water and has been in the carpet for less than 24 hours.  Repairs can often be done to the carpet if necessary to restore the carpet as it was before the flood.  In most cases your home will be dry in 2-4 days.

What will happen if I try to dry the carpet out myself with a shop vacuum and fans?

Without the proper experience and equipment, the flooded area could take days, weeks, or
months to dry.  The water begins to wick up into the drywall and into the studs inside the wall.  This makes a perfect environment for mold and wood destroying organisms to grow.  Mold grows on wood, baseboards, drywall, and inside cabinets if the building is not quickly dried.  If mold is present, the affected area must be replaced.

What about my hardwood floors?

When a hardwood floor takes in water, it will buckle within a matter of days if not properly dried.  We use special moisture meters to determine how much moisture is present in the wood.  If the flood has just occurred, the hardwood may be restorable.

Do I have to keep this drying equipment continuously going?

Yes.  Turning it off can cause further damage.  Most of our equipment has a timer to tell us how long the equipment was run.

What is this musty odor?

There is often a musty odor that is associated with a flood.  This odor will dissipate soon after the building is dry.  Foggers and deodorizers are used if necessary.  If this odor bothers you, ask your insurance company if they will reimburse you for a hotel expense while the building is drying.

Will opening up my windows help the carpet dry faster?

No.  In almost all cases we will have created a better drying environment with our drying equipment than there is by opening windows.

Will my drywall need to be replaced?

Wet drywall can be restored in most cases provided there is not mold on the drywall.

Will my insurance company pay for this?

In every situation that we have seen, the cost for water damage restoration is paid for by the insurance company (minus your deductible).  Your insurance company wants you to take immediate action in stopping further damage.  Every service that we do for you will appear on the bill to your insurance company.  As soon as we begin the job, you’ll want to call your insurance carrier to let them know that you have a certified company drying the building for you.

How much will this cost?

We will provide you with a current price list of equipment and service costs.  All of our prices are similar to other certified water damage restoration companies and are in accordance with the Bluebook of Cleaning, Reconstruction, and Repair Costs.  The total cost for our service will be determined by how long the structure takes to dry.


Disclaimer:  The information in this booklet is not meant for professional or legal advice.  The statements mentioned are generalities and each individual case could be different.

What Does Scotchgard REALLY Do?

When your carpet was new, it had a coating usually of 3M Scotchgard or Dupont Teflon which had a protector called “flourechemical.”  This treatment prevents spills and dry soils from bonding to the fibers.

2 Ways Factory Protector is Removed From Carpet

1.  Regular foot traffic.  Over a period of six months to two years, depending on traffic, a significant amount of protector is removed from traffic areas and protector needs to be reapplied.

2.  High alkaline cleaner.  Some carpet cleaners use harsh chemicals that strip the protector out.  If you notice your carpet getting dirtier after cleaning, this is likely the reason.

4 Reasons to Get Fabric Protector Re-applied After Cleaning

1.  Reduces permanent stains.  Unprotected carpet and rugs will easily absorb spills even if cleaned up immediately.

2.  Helps save traffic areas from being destroyed.  Traffic area soil cuts your carpet like a knife and causes ugly traffic lanes.  Protector makes vacuuming more efficient.

3.  Makes spots easier to remove for you and the next time your carpet is cleaned.

4.  Helps avoid costly service calls.  For minor spots, you are more likely to be able to remove a stain yourself if the carpet is protected.


The result of having protector applied properly to your carpet and rugs is that it will look better and last much longer.

How Often Should You Clean Commercial Carpet?

It depends.  How much traffic do you have?  Is there food served in any of the areas?  Are children present? The EPA recommends that offices be cleaned every 1-6 months depending on the amount of traffic and whether or not food is served.

Carpet manufacturers will recommend every 2 weeks-6 months depending on the same conditions. Call us at 444-0811 to set up a FREE Flooring Consultation and Inspection.  We will inspect your floors and help you decide how often to clean and what method is best for your situation.

                                EPA Carpet Cleaning Frequency Guide

Environment                      Normal                  Contaminated                           High
                                                                       Outside, Dusty                       Humidity
                                                                                                                     Biogenic

Day Care Center                2 weeks                       1 week                                1 week

Nursing Home                  1 month                        1 month                               1 week

Office Building-

Ground Floor                   3-6 months                  1-4 months                         2-6 months

Office Building-

Higher Floors                   6-12 months                2-6 months                         3-9 months

Food Service 
Establishment                    1 month                       1 week                                2 weeks

Commercial-

Retail, Shop, Bank           3-6 months                    1 month                              2 months 

                                                                                   
                                                                              (From U.S. EPA Letter, January 1989)

Our Cleaning System Also Does This...

• Makes your office healthier
• Your carpet smells fresh and clean
• Washes out spots to prevent them from returning
• Prolongs carpet life and avoids replacement
• Brightens colors of your carpet
• Rinses residue from previous carpet cleaners
• Removes grease and dirt tracks
• Removes dirt, coffee, soda, food spills, grease, oils, vomit, urine, gum, wax, some paints, rust,     inks, make-up, toner, and more!