What to do for flood cleanup?

[ledford1]

Not quite sure where to post this...

A couple of days ago, a hose connection on the tank came lose. I'm guessing about 20g of water got out onto the floor. I put a few fans over the wet area left on the floor and did what I could with a handvac to suck up some water, but I think I may start to smell some mildew in the carpet.

We're on a concrete slab, if that plays a factor, so what do I need to try to do to clean this up? Carpet shampooer (we don't have one BTW)?

 

[Randall_James]

steam extractor works best and if you can afford it, have a company come out that specializes in water cleanup. They will have antibacterial/antifungal additives that will stop the smells after the flush the area with fresh water to extract the salts and solids. Is certainly a pain I know. (been there done that)

 

[ledford1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7311871#post7311871 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Randall_James
steam extractor works best and if you can afford it, have a company come out that specializes in water cleanup. They will have antibacterial/antifungal additives that will stop the smells after the flush the area with fresh water to extract the salts and solids. Is certainly a pain I know. (been there done that)

Looks like I'll look for a rental tomorrow...

 

[ledford1]

Well, Lowe's is about the only place to rent carpet cleaning equipment. They have a Rug-Doctor for $25/day. Having someone come in will cost a bit more, but would perhaps be more thorough.

The hitch to all this is that it was my 180 that sprung the leak, so the carpet under the stand also needs to be treated. If we just clean around it, it's not going to fix the problem. To be able to clean under it is going to be a problem.

 

[Randall_James]

well the stand may have helped keep some of the water out from under, my stand has a full box bottom, it pinches the carpet, pad down pretty good so it "could" slow down the flow. I would at least call them, they have probably been here before and can give you an idea of success?

 

[davocean]

Go to a rental place and get what I believe is called a turbo fan.
Tell them what you're doing and they'll know what you want.
Pull the carpet up at on corner and run that fan under it so you dry both carpet and padding.
That'll keep it from mildewing.
You might get away with doing this and not having to break down tank.

 

[poppin_fresh]

Like davocean said, get fans blowing across the carpet. Once the carpet and padding is dry the mildew will dissapear. Air flow is the key! An extractor is only good for cleaning, evaporation will have to finish the rest.