Water Damage on Wood Versus Carpet

10/29/2019 (Permalink)

Though the floor is not the center point of our home, the decision of what to use is just as important.

Carpet and hardwood retain water differently and, as a result, require different processes in order to dry them. Carpets can very quickly become unsalvageable if they become entirely soaked or if delamination occurs. When a carpet experiences delamination, it is unable to remain adhesed to the floor and therefore must be replaced with new carpet. On the other hand, if the damage isn’t detrimental to the carpet’s adhesiveness, a wet dry vacuum can be used to help begin the drying process before water damage professionals even arrive. Carpet fibers react differently to water. Wool is one of the more expensive carpet fibers to use and yet it can be more prone to mold and mildew. Triexta is a more affordable carpet fiber and is known to non-absorbent and therefore resistant to mildew.

Wood is different because wood floors can vary in thickness and therefore damage potential. Certain types of wood handles water differently. For instance, Oak, Maple, and Cherry wood are the most commonly used for flooring and furniture due to their water resistance. On the other hand, Bamboo and Coconut Timber can be used but can require adhesives that can be undone by water damage. Wood needs to be removed in order to get rid of the moisture underneath, but depending on the integrity of the wood it can be put back after the water has been removed.

Regardless of whether water damage has been done to carpet or wood, it’s vital to hire a water damage professional to remove all the water. SERVPRO knows the best action to take for each type of floor, so if you find yourself with carpet or hardwood floor water damage make sure to call your local SERVPRO of East Dayton and Beavercreek.