How to dry carpets after a flood

Flooding in the UK, unfortunately, is an increasingly common occurrence.

Flood water can damage carpets in residential and commercial properties, but after the flood, but there is a chance that the carpets may still be used, provided the following actions are undertaken.

Firstly, remove all the furniture from the room to fully reveal the carpet. As soon as possible, extract the water. This can be done with a pump, or some carpet cleaners can suck water. A carpet cleaner may take a while as it must be emptied several times, but it should get the job done. If you don't own a pump or carpet cleaner, you can hire them.

To prevent lingering odours, use an air scrubber machine which removes particles and odours that float in the air. Use an air mover and a dehumidifier to further dry out the carpet. These machines can be hired.

Roll back the carpet and check the condition of the subfloor, which also may need drying out. The underlay may be wet as well.

If the flood water contains sewage, there is a danger of contamination, which is a health risk. It is best to seek professional help to fix this. You will also need the waste pipes checked for leaks.

If any of the carpets are irreparably damaged and unusable, you will need to buy new ones from a carpet retailer in Chester or North Wales. The cost of new carpets may be covered by your home contents insurance.

New Year carpet care tips for 2025

Carpets may suffer during the Christmas period from melting candles, dropped chocolates, spilt wine and other remnants from the seasonal celebrations.

A renowned expert on cleaning has revealed his top tips for caring for carpets after Christmas. James King, DeluxeMaid's operations manager, has a simple tip for dealing with a carpet that looks flat and lifeless. He advises using a fork from the kitchen to gently rake through the fibres to fluff them up.

He also recommends using an ice cube on chewing gum that sticks to carpets. Let the ice cube sit on the gum for a few minutes, then simply scrape off the gum with a spoon or blunt knife.

If the carpet smells off, add a few drops of essential oils to baking soda and sprinkle on the carpet. After around half an hour vacuum the carpet, and it should then smell fresh and fragrant.

If rugs and carpets have wrinkles or creases, a steam iron run over a tea towel or cloth should smooth them out. James King says:

"I’ve used it for those folded spots and I love how quickly it smooths things out."

For stubborn wine, chocolate, food and other stains that are difficult to remove, the carpet will likely need deep cleaning. This can be done with a carpet cleaning machine and specialist carpet cleaning solution or hire a professional carpet cleaning service.

With careful regular vacuuming and cleaning, quality carpets in North Wales homes should last for many Christmases, even in high footfall areas.

Why is cleaning carpets still important in 2025?

Anyone who has stood barefoot on a deep pile luxury carpet knows how luxurious the feeling is. However, if you don't get around to cleaning it after much use, this feeling will disappear quickly. In this blog, we’re investigating why cleaning your carpet should still be a major priority of yours.

The main problem with a dirty carpet is the health hazard, not from the carpet itself, but what gathers in it, including dust mites, mould spores, dust and debris. Most of the things floating in the air eventually land on the carpet. This is a danger to health and is especially harmful to people who suffer from allergies.

Apart from being a health hazard, a carpet that is never cleaned looks bad. When walking on a dirty carpet, fibres twist together to make the carpet seem worn out.

Some manufacturers' warranties for carpets are invalid if the carpet is not deep cleaned at least annually. Homes with children and pets should consider a wet clean every six months.

Regular vacuuming will remove most dirt and debris, but a deep clean will remove trapped dirt. This should be done at least once a year by a professional carpet cleaning service or with a carpet cleaning machine and a specialist cleaning solution. You can hire a cleaning machine if you don't want the expense of buying one.

After a deep clean make sure the carpet is frequently vacuumed and consider a no-shoes rule to prevent dirt from outside contaminating the carpet.

If the carpet is very worn beyond the ability of a deep clean to restore it, this is probably the time for new carpets for your home. A carpet retailer near Chester would be able to help you secure such an item for your home.

The pros and cons of fitting LVT

LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) is a flooring option considered by homeowners around the world. There are several pros and cons to consider for those thinking about installing LVT, and we’re exploring these in this blog

Advantages of using LVT

Waterproof

LVT is waterproof, making it ideal for bathrooms and utility rooms whose floors are regularly wet. However, many types of LVT are smooth, and this could be a trip hazard in a wet room unless the vinyl is treated with an anti-slip coating.

The flooring is made with several layers, with a durable top layer that is waterproof. The backing layer protects the underside of the tiles from moisture,

LVT needs to be installed correctly, ideally by a professional fitter. If there are gaps between tiles, this could allow moisture to penetrate to the subfloor.

Affordable

The cost of LVT varies depending on the quality, but it is generally less than hardwood or engineered wood flooring. Sheet vinyl flooring and some carpets are cheaper than LVT. Fitting costs are reasonable as LVT is easy to fit.

When considering the affordability of LVT, you should to take into account how long flooring lasts before it needs replacing, not just the initial installation costs. Good-quality LVT flooring should last around 20 years compared to a good carpet's lifespan of around 10 years. Luxury vinyl is also less durable than LVT. This means that LVT flooring needs replacing less frequently compared to many other types of floor covering, saving money in the long term.

LVT is also cost effective for commercial spaces. It costs less to maintain as it is easily cleaned.

Warm

LVT feels warm compared to other hard surface flooring. Thick LVT feels softer and warmer underfoot as there is more distance from the top layer of the tile to the subfloor. LVT responds to the room temperature; the warmer the room, the warmer the floor feels.

When LVT is installed over concrete flooring or existing tiles, it will feel cooler than LVT laid over wood floors.

LVT is excellent for underfloor heating as it is efficient at transferring heat to the floor surface. Unlike wood, LVT does not expand or contract as the temperature changes.

Low maintenance

LVT only requires regular sweeping and a weekly mop to keep clean, but avoid abrasive cleaning solutions. LVT is a good choice for commercial flooring as cleaning staff spend less time on floor maintenance.

Easy to install

Provided the subfloor is clean and smooth, LVT is easy to install. The main tools required are a measuring tape and a knife. LVT is easily cut, but care is needed to fit tiles around irregular shapes such as bathroom furniture like sinks and WCs.

There are two main types of LVT, click or peel and stick. Click LVT has tongue and groove edges that slot together. Peel and stick tiles have a protective cover which is peeled off to uncover an adhesive surface that sticks to the subfloor.

Anyone who is confident in their do-it-yourself skills can lay vinyl tiles, otherwise, a professional installer's charges should be reasonable.

Limitations of LVT

However, not every attribute of LVT flooring is necessarily a positive one. Consider the below points for a balanced view on this flooring type.

Requires a smooth surface

The condition of the subfloor is important for installing LVT. It must be structurally sound and very smooth. Bumps and dips can cause LVT to be uneven, and this increases wear and shortens the life of the LVT floor.

If the subfloor is uneven, it needs levelling before laying LVT. Concrete subfloors require compounds that create a smooth surface. Wood floors may need sanding. Making the floor smooth and clean is a skilled job that should be done by an experienced floor installer.

The cost of levelling the subfloor can add to installation costs.

Difficult to remove

If the existing LVT has been glued down it makes it difficult to remove. LVT that is not glued usually has a click lock system that is easier to remove but requires some skill to take out.

Equipment is required, a heat gun or adhesive remover if the tiles are glued, otherwise a crowbar and chisel. After removing the tiles, the subfloor requires thorough cleaning.

Softness

Vinyl is a soft material. Heavy furniture can mark and dent LVT. Floor protectors attached to furniture legs prevent this damage.

Like all floor coverings, there are pros and cons for choosing LVT, but there are more reasons to install LVT than not than not. LVT is ideal for both home and commercial use for anyone wanting an attractive, affordable, durable and easy to maintain floor.

For further advice and information about LVT, talk with a local flooring company in Chester, Wrexham or North Wales.

What are carpet tiles?

Carpet tiles are square sections of carpet that are convenient to install and replace and come in a variety of colours and patterns They are a durable flooring solution suitable for both commercial and residential spaces.

Can I install carpet tiles myself?

Yes, you can install carpet tiles yourself as they are designed to be easily installed by most people without professional assistance. However, installing carpet tiles can be a long job for large areas, especially if the old floor covering is stuck down and difficult to remove. If the subfloor is uneven, this may need to be levelled before laying carpet tiles. For edges of the room that are not straight, the tiles will need careful cutting to fit around uneven edges

If you are not confident in your do-it-yourself (DIY) skills, then it's worth using a professional carpet installer. Using a fitter employed by the carpet retailer in Chester where you bought the carpet tiles should not be very expensive.

How long do carpet tiles last?

Carpet tiles are durable, and decent quality ones can last between ten and twenty years. However, several factors affect the lifespan of the tiles. Thin cheap carpet tiles will not last as long as thicker, better-quality tiles. Carpet tiles wear quicker if they are not maintained well with regular vacuuming and the occasional deep clean.

Carpet tiles can look worn in high-foot-traffic areas. A major advantage of carpet tiles is that you can easily replace the tiles in areas where people regularly walk without having to replace the whole floor covering.

Are carpet tiles waterproof?

Carpet tiles are generally not waterproof, as they are made from fabric fibres that can absorb moisture. Some types of carpet tiles have some water resistance but are still not suitable for wet areas such as bathrooms. If water is spilt on carpet tiles, it can be mopped up promptly. Wine and other liquids can stain carpet tiles unless you install tiles treated with a stain resistant barrier.

For rooms with doorways to the outside, place mats that absorb moisture from footwear and dripping clothes.

Moisture can come from underneath the tiles, which can be prevented by using tiles with a built-in water barrier or a water-resistant underlay.