Floorings are on the lowest components of a home. As a result, they are also the ones which incur massive water damage, especially if the cause of the water damage starts on the ground, as in the case of a flood. In general, flooring materials can be salvaged from water damage as long as it is treated and dried immediately.

Carpets are among the favorite types of flooring for most American homes. When these have been exposed to water for more than 48 hours, carpets are usually unsalvageable from water damage anymore. Aside from the fact that it can absorb a lot of water and has been completely damaged, it may have also harbored mold and mildew that can be detrimental to your health. This also applies to carpets that have been damaged by contaminated water. However, if it has been immediately treated and dried in about 24-28 hours, it can still be cleaned and restored. You also have to make sure that you inspect the subflooring underneath for signs of water damage.

In restoring carpets and rugs, you have to let them dry outside immediately if the weather condition is fine. If this is not possible, you can also opt to dry them indoors, opening the windows and doors to let air circulate. You can also use fans to speed up the drying process.

After making sure that the carpet is dry, you must then remove dirt and debris from your carpets. To do this, you can either vacuum the carpet, or use a high pressure hose to rinse all the dirt off. Remember though that if you make use of a high pressure hose, it must be done outdoors and before the drying process. After that, you can use a commercial rug shampoo to deep clean it. The last step involves drying the carpet once again by laying it out in a warm place or using a fan to speed up the process.

For floorings such as linoleum and vinyl, you must first keep in mind that these should be removed so as to allow the subflooring to dry completely. Just like carpets, you have to dry the floorings as immediate as possible, and then clean away all the debris trapped in it. If you suspect of mold growth, do not hesitate to throw it away.

Tile floors, on the other hand, are water resistant. That is why it is often used as flooring materials for bathrooms and kitchens, since these places are always exposed to water. Make sure that the tiles are well installed though. Improper installation of tiles may cause water to drip into the subflooring. To inspect whether your tiles are well-equipped, remove a few tiles and assess the subflooring for signs of water damage.

Cleaning tile floors is a breeze. Just scrub off the tiles and rinse them with clean water. Afterwards, exposing them to the open air to dry will do just fine.

Wooden floor boards and subflooring can also be salvaged from water damage by drying them gradually so as to prevent buckling. However, if the floor boards are already swelling because of moisture, it is advisable to discard them. You can also reduce buckling by removing some boards and retaining the others.