Water on the carpet right now? Call 1800 739 867, help is available 24/7. Reztor’s own team removes the water, checks the carpet, underlay and floor beneath, and dries what can be saved. The initial assessment is $198.
A burst pipe, an overflowing washing machine or storm water coming under the door can soak carpet quickly. The carpet you can see is only the top layer. Water also soaks into the underlay, the tack strips around the edges, skirting boards and the floor underneath. This page explains what to do first, how professional extraction and drying work, and when flooded carpet can or can’t be saved.
The source of the water shapes everything that follows. Clean water from a burst supply pipe or a leaking hot water system gives the best chance of drying carpet in place. Water from a washing machine or dishwasher overflow carries more contamination and usually needs cleaning as well as drying. Sewage, and storm water or floodwater that has come in from outside, can carry bacteria, silt and chemicals. In that case, affected carpet and underlay are generally removed for health reasons rather than dried.
Clean water can also become contaminated as it sits in underlay in a warm, humid Brisbane home, another reason to start extraction early.
Extraction removes as much water as possible before drying starts. Our team uses commercial extraction equipment that draws water out of the carpet and underlay, not just the surface. A household wet vac can pick up puddles, but it leaves much more moisture behind in the layers below.
We pay attention to edges, skirting boards and doorways where water collects, because removing more water now makes drying more effective. For more detail, see our page on water extraction in Brisbane.
Once the standing water is out, the drying stage targets the moisture left in the materials. Depending on what we find, the drying plan may include:
We take moisture readings in the carpet, underlay, subfloor and nearby walls at the start, and compare them with dry areas of the same home. Readings are repeated as drying progresses, so decisions are based on measurements rather than how the carpet feels underfoot. Find out more about wet carpet drying in Brisbane.
Carpet can often be saved when: the water was clean, extraction and drying started early, the carpet backing hasn’t separated, and there’s no lasting odour or mould.
Carpet usually can’t be saved when: it was soaked by sewage or outside floodwater, the backing has delaminated or the carpet has shrunk, it stayed wet for a long time, or there are signs of mould. Underlay soaks up water like a sponge and is often replaced even when the carpet can be dried and re-laid.
We explain what can be kept and why, before anything is removed.
We can’t give a fixed time before checking the property. It depends on how much water there was, the carpet and underlay type, whether the floor is concrete or timber, how long the carpet was wet and the weather. We keep checking readings and update you on progress until the materials reach their drying goals.
Many sudden water incidents, such as a burst pipe or appliance leak, may be covered, depending on your policy and the cause. Flood cover is often a separate option, so check your policy. Ask your insurer before throwing out carpet or underlay, as they may want photos or a sample. We provide photos, moisture readings and clear notes about the extraction and drying work. Your insurer decides cover and payment.
Water still coming in, or more than the carpet affected? See our 24/7 emergency water damage page, or read about water damage restoration in Brisbane.
Often, yes, when the water is clean and extraction and drying start before the carpet backing breaks down. Carpet soaked by sewage or outside floodwater is usually not safe to keep, and underlay is often replaced even when the carpet itself can be dried. We assess the water source, the carpet and the underlay on site and explain what can be kept.
We don’t recommend it. Wet carpet is heavy, tack strips are sharp, and pulling it up can stretch or tear carpet that could otherwise be saved. If the water may be contaminated, lifting it also spreads contamination. Leave it in place and call for advice.
Only when the water is known to be clean and there are no electrical hazards. Never run fans over carpet affected by sewage, storm water or outside floodwater, because air movement can spread contaminants. Household fans also rarely dry underlay or the floor beneath, so moisture readings are still needed.
There is no fixed time. It depends on how much water there was, the type of carpet and underlay, the floor underneath, the weather and how long the carpet stayed wet. We check moisture readings as drying progresses and let you know how it is going.
Many sudden water incidents, such as a burst pipe, may be covered, depending on your policy. Flood cover is often a separate option. Your insurer decides cover. We can provide photos, moisture readings and notes about the work to support your claim.
Call 1800 739 867. Tell us your suburb, where the water came from if you know, and which rooms are wet. Help is available 24/7, and the initial assessment is $198.
Flooded carpet in Brisbane? Call 1800 739 867. Help is available 24/7. Tell us your suburb and what happened, and we’ll talk you through the next steps.
