Oriental Rug Flooded? Here’s What To Do.
What You Can Do If Your Oriental Rug Is Damaged During A Hurricane Or Other Water Intrusion Event.
When it comes to wool and silk area rugs and water damage, time is the enemy. The longer a rug remains wet, the more likely permanent damage will occur.
Dry rot and migrating dyes are two issues that may affect rugs that stay wet for an extended period. Suppose you have a tufted rug with a cloth glued to the back, the risk of delamination (the material separates from the back of the rug) skyrockets when the rug is soaked for too long. Rugs can also discolor and turn brownish. All of these issues caused by water intrusion may or may not be correctable. The faster you respond to correcting the situation, the better chance your rug can be saved!
Bacteria should always be the rug owner’s #1 concern when dealing with water intrusion! The first question is, how did the rug get wet? For instance, water from a toilet overflow may appear clean but very likely have high levels of bacteria that require treatment with wool-safe disinfectants as quickly as possible.
At Oriental Rug Salon, we have emergency procedures to assist clients in properly handling water-damaged rugs. During hurricanes and other water intrusion events, we are the “cleaner of choice” to many rug retailers, area rug collectors, insurance companies, and rug owners wanting to save their cherished area rugs.
Oriental Rug Salon serves Lee, Collier, and Charlotte County and we clean, treat, and restore Oriental, Persian, wool, and silk rugs from clients locally and throughout the United States. Our company meets the highest standards in professional cleaning of area rugs with certifications from the Woolsafe Institute as an Approved Service Provider, the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), and the International Carpet & Rug Institute (CRI).
What To Do If Oriental or Persian Rug Is Involved In A Flood?
- Remove the rug from the source of the flood
- Extract as much water as possible from your area rug using a wet vacuum. Use the wet vacuum wand to extract water by stroking in the direction of the rugs’ natural nap. To determine the nap position, use the back of your hand and lightly rub against the top of your area rug from left to right; you should be able to feel the direction of the nap. One direction will feel smooth, and going against the nap direction will feel course. Once the moisture is extracted, if you have electricity, place a fan on the rug.
- Seek professional help from Oriental Rug Salon to pick up and restore your area rug. Professional intervention is a must to prevent dye migration, bacterial build-up, and dry rot.
- NEVER hang wet wool or silk area rugs! Hanging wet rugs places an undue burden on the rug’s foundation and can accelerate rouge dyes causing damage to your textile.
- DO NOT dry your area rug in direct sunlight, as this can cause fading. If you must dry the rug yourself, dry the rug with the face yarns facing the ground. If dye migration occurs, the colors will run to the back of the rug until you can get it to a professional rug cleaning plant.
When cherished wool and silk area rugs are involved in floodings, such as hurricane flood damage, burst pipes, or other water intrusion events, it’s best to leave rug restoration to a professional. Oriental Rug Salon offers FREE pick-up and delivery for most area rugs throughout Lee, Collier, and Charlotte County. We have the facilities, expertise, certification, and equipment to ensure your rug receives the best care possible.
For more information about Oriental Rug Salon, please visit us online at www.OrientalRugSalon.com or “call us on the carpet” any time at 239-424-8171. You can also visit us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/OrientalRugSalon/
