Have you been affected by flooding?

If you’ve been the victim of flood damage, we really feel for you. It’s devastating and as a family-run company, Tapi is here to help in any way we can.

First things first, we’d like to stress that flood damage is different from water damage. If you’ve been flooded with clean water like rainwater or from internal pipes leaking, you may – and we must stress, only may – be able to dry out your carpet.

But sadly, if you’ve had damage from sewage or floodwater from outside, which could have germs, bacteria or a million other nasties in it, then we’re afraid the carpet can’t be repaired or restored. You’ll probably need to go right back to your subfloor and start again. Please read on for our support.

Assessing the damage

Once it’s safe to, take a long look at the state of the carpet or smooth flooring. There are few things you need to do before replacing it.

Making your insurance claim

We recommend that you get in touch with your insurance company and let them know you’ve been the victim of a flood. It’s very likely they’ll send out a loss adjustor to assess the damage. They will then price everything up and send that figure back to your insurer.
Make sure you keep a list of everything extra you’ve had to spend, including emergency repairs, hotel bills, receipts for new items. Take photographs of the damage or find photographs of how your home used to look so the loss adjustor gets an idea of what you’re hoping to replace. Don’t throw anything out, even if it’s ruined beyond repair. It’ll be important the loss adjustor sees for themselves.
It’s likely the loss adjustor will handle all the financial arrangements rather than sending you a cheque or giving you a cash advance. You may be expected to get a few quotes from local businesses, or you may be sent recommendations for specific tradespeople to approach.

What Tapi can do for you – even if you don’t have insurance

If you don’t have insurance, don’t worry. Pop into our store, give us a call, arrange a home visit or chat online, and we can supply you a quote. You may also be eligible for our flood support programme. If you do have insurance, get a quote from us, then send on to your insurance company. They may choose to pay you directly. They may prefer for us to order and fit the carpet, then ask for the invoice. While they will settle the claim, they may want to go through the loss adjuster as well. Every company will have different rules, we recommend that you speak to them directly to find out how their process works.

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How to deal with clean water damage to your carpet

As we’ve explained above, damage from a spill of clean water is totally different from a flood. So, if your problem is small enough and feel confident you can deal with it yourself, then follow our instructions below:

Make yourself safe

Make sure you’ve turned off all the power in your home before trying any repairs. Water and electricity don’t mix!

Remove any standing water

Get hold of a wet vacuum or a pump to get rid of any water that’s still there. Open windows and doors to ventilate thoroughly. Use dehumidifiers to extract as much excess moisture from the air.

Remove furniture

Store everything safely in a dry place and keep an eye on the legs of tables or chairs to check they haven’t been damaged.

How to clean water damage from a carpet

It may be easier and more efficient to pay for a professional cleaner, as they will be able to make the damaged carpets as free from germs or mould as possible. But if you want to try to do it yourself, then apply specialist shampoo or disinfectant and follow the manufacturers’ instructions.

How to dry out a wet carpet

You could use a hair dryer, heaters or wait until the carpet is completely dry. But what may happen (depending on the fibres your carpet is made from) is that the carpet could shrink or buckle; the underlay could shrink; or the backing could come free and, we’re sorry to say, many other problems.

How to get rid of that wet carpet smell

Once your carpet is dry and you’re happy it’s still in good condition, you may want to make it smell a little better. Obviously if it’s mouldy then it’s a health hazard and should be disposed of. But there are some DIY methods you can try to avoid that musty smell:

Spray the carpet with a vinegar solution, one part white vinegar to three parts water, then allow it to dry naturally.
Sprinkle some baking soda on the affected area overnight. Vacuum it up the next day

What to do if your smooth flooring has been damaged by water

While smooth floors – and we mean engineered wood, luxury vinyl, laminate and vinyl – are water-resistant, they’re not waterproof.

If water gets underneath vinyl for instance, it’s difficult to tell so you may not notice you have damage for a little while. But water can get under the seams, make the adhesive backing loose, cause a bubbling effect or in the worst scenario, get trapped against the subfloor and cause mould to grow. You’ll only notice it once it starts to smell musty or if you see a visible sign of mould or mildew.

So, if your flooring has been wet for a long period of time, it can’t be repaired. Sadly, it’s best to remove it then replace it, making sure your subfloor is in good condition beforehand. If, however, you’ve had a small, clean water spill, then prevention is the best way forward.

How to stop water from damaging smooth flooring

Act quickly. Mop up water as soon as you spill it, and never allow water to pool on the floor.
Dry your flooring as soon as possible, with a soft cloth to avoid scratching.

Protect your home from potential flooding

If you find out you’re in an area at risk of flooding, you may want to prepare yourself by keeping an emergency kit. The Met Office recommends the following:

Insurance documents and list of contact numbers
Torch and spare batteries
First aid kit and any prescription medicines
Warm waterproof clothes and blankets
Bottled water and snacks
Battery or wind-up radio
Supplies for looking after your baby or pet

We’ve plenty more advice to help you if you need to check whether you need to replace your subfloor or how to get rid of stains in our Ideas Hub. And, as the Scouts say, be prepared. Keep an eye out for the latest weather warning via your local news channels or from the Met Office website.

Post author

Claire Murphy Copywriter Former lifestyle journalist, keen amateur upcycler, full of value for money ideas