The basement is an important section of your home. You can design or use the space for anything, including storage space, a studio for your artistic items, a library, and many more. The underground room requires all the attention you can lavish on it, including lying a comfortable and warm carpet on the floor.
However, in case of spillage or flooding, drying the carpet in such an environment can be a daunting task. Not only is it dark and lacks the free flow of air, but the heating mechanism can also fail, and drying the carpet becomes almost impossible.
Why is the basement a rare occurrence?
In an environment as beautiful as California’s climate, many home properties do not need a basement for drying fabrics or any other time. The state experiences adequate amounts of sunshine to dry everything, including a carpet with a short period. It eliminates the requirement for an underground storage facility as items can easily be aired to dry outside.
Are they deeper into the ground?
Another reason why these structures are so rare in this section of the country is the deeper frost level. Building one would be a waste of materials and costs for a structure you will not need. Other supporting factors include having more soil that is dry and surface that is rocky. California is an earthquake-prone region, and tornado threats are not a possibility.
Is leakage a possibility?
Underground structures are prone to leakage at some point, no matter how watertight we design the structures. Since their location is below the soil surface, the structures have one weakness: flooding. If wondering how that form of leakage might occur, here are a few pointers:
- Extreme rainfall continuous for a long-period increasing soil saturation. Any leak on structure results in a leak.
- Crack on the foundation of the structure can also cause leakage.
- Sometimes, it is not the external factors that cause wetness but an insufficient internal drainage system.
- Pipes may break within the walls causing leaks.
- The ground is not stable and shifts now and then, which can destabilize the basement structure.
Drying the Carpets
During any cleaning process, one has to adhere to any safety measures available. The basement works using electricity for visibility, and checking to see whether the flooded carpet has any electrical connection is the first safety measure. Wear boots and gloves to protect your legs and arms once you decide to scrub and dry or air the basement carpet.
The second step is to put aside the furniture and any other item lying on top of the carpet or rug. Be careful not to drop some of these items, which often include books, electronic appliances or devices, and many more. Once you are done, you can lift the carpet to spread it on your backyard, leaving it to dry, or you can dry it by leaving it in place.
If the carpet’s weight is crushing, the more you should use a modern drying appliance to accomplish your drying objectives. Use a wet vacuum with space to suck out the excess water in your rug. If not effective, an extractor or steamer may do a better and deeper washing than other cleaning devices.
Drying a carpet without using a vacuum
Vacuums are crucial additions to our household chores as they are efficient. You can sweep, mop, and empty the dirt within a short period. Any water puddles can dry out within a short while.
The same applies to other household items, including carpets. However, vacuum cleaners remove the water and leave the mat to dry further without assistance. But what if you do not have a vacuuming device? What do you do?
Get a water-extracting device. These eliminate spilled water in a matter of minutes. The more the power, the faster the device works, and the more efficient it is while working. Some can eliminate 200 inches of water floods in depth in a short period. Also, it takes up any debris and other earth particles present on the surface.
Be careful not to leave puddles under the mat you are drying off. For safety purposes, even when using an extractor, lift your carpet to clean underneath it. The moisture evaporates fast, leaving a dry surface behind.
Dehumidifier drying period
After washing, drying, and removing any other item soaked from the basement, the air is still damp. That dampness can settle back on the carpet, on the floorboards, and even in your clothes is any are present in the basement. However, you can use one of the amazing drying appliances in a household, including a hairdryer, a dehumidifier, or a fan.
Even though these devices are effective, free airflow into the room is essential. If you have a window, open it and allow the fresh air to pass through your basement. Suppose possible lift the fitted carpet to dry further. Do this while swashing or drying the carpet utilizing a vacuum.
Sanitizing your home using an antiseptic or germ killer is crucial. Some leaks are not due to floodwaters, but leaking drainage systems. Using sanitization agents eliminates the possibility of bacteria, kills possible mold growth, and freshens the underground structure. Combining it with disinfectants further improves the quality and efficiency of the sanitizing process.
Summary
After learning the various ways your basement rug can soak up water, you have learned the many ways you can remove and dry it up. However, all these functionalities require patience to accomplish, protective clothing if the floods or leakage is from the drainage system. It would also help if you had current and modern equipment to achieve the best possible result, which is a dry carpet and a fresh smelling and looking underground room.
Use a vacuum to dry the mat at any time of the day. However, if the water soaking the carpet has risen a few inches, an extractor might be a better choice. The machinery can drain the flooded waters within a few hours or days, depending on the level. Once you drain and dry, ensure to open the doors and windows of the rooms for airflow. Dehumidify once the process is complete, and you can use the room the next day after reassembling it!
Anthony Taylor here, I created Clifandcleaning.com to give people a better product insight before they make that all-important purchase.
It is always hard work to get to the surface of the carpet. Therefore, I don’t like large carpets, they are too difficult to clean.
I didn’t think the carpet at the base could be so dirty. Usually, even if you wash it, you don’t notice. But recently I bought a great brush and it picked up all the dirt!
I’m soooo tired of the brushes and the endless friction. I just want the carpet to be as clean as right after purchase. Recently my husband bought a new washing vacuum cleaner .. haven’t used it yet. don’t know what to expect. A disappointment again or finally a victory?