Floodwater or a burst pipe can soak a carpet in minutes. But the biggest damage often happens where you cannot see it. Water quickly sinks through the carpet and gets stuck in the underlay and the floor underneath. When that moisture stays trapped, it can cause bad smells, mould growth, the carpet backing to separate (so it starts lifting or bubbling), and ongoing dampness that can affect the flooring and nearby walls. To prevent such issues, follow guidelines like those in the NSW Health household clean-up for after a flood or storm.
This guide walks you through Carpet Flood Damage Restoration a clear 6-step process to handle wet carpets safely and correctly. It also includes simple decision rules to help you figure out what to do next: when a carpet can be dried and saved, and when it is safer and smarter to remove and replace it. How to decide whether the carpet can be saved, and when it is safer to call a professional.
Step 1: Make it safe, stop the water, and identify what type of water it is
1) Safety first
Before you start cleaning or moving anything, think about safety.
- Watch for electricity. If water is near power points, extension leads, power boards, or appliances, treat it as an electrical risk.
- Protect yourself. Wear gloves and closed shoes so you do not touch dirty water or sharp debris.
- Keep people away. Keep kids and pets out of the wet area until it is dry and safe.
2) Stop the source of the water
The faster you stop the water, the less damage you will have underneath the carpet.
- For burst pipes or leaks: shut off the nearest isolation valve, or turn off the main water supply if you cannot find it.
- For rain or stormwater: block more water from coming in (use towels, sandbags, or plastic sheeting if available) and move furniture and valuables to a dry area.
3) Identify the water type (this controls what you do next)
Not all water is the same. The water type decides whether your carpet can be saved and how strict the cleaning needs to be.
Use this simple contamination scale:
- Clean water: from a broken supply pipe or clean rainwater that has not picked up dirt
- Grey water: from washing machines, dishwashers, sinks, or water that has mixed with dirt and household contaminants
- Black water: sewage backup or floodwater from outside. This is high-risk contamination
Important rule: If it is black water, do not try to “save” the carpet and underlay. Carpet and underlay are porous, so they absorb contamination and are not safe to sanitise properly. The safest option is to remove and replace them, then professionally clean and dry the structure underneath.
If you are not sure what type it is, assume it is more contaminated than you think and call a restoration professional. That one decision can prevent mould problems and health risks later.
4) Quick documentation for insurance
Before you start removing items:
- Take clear photos and a short video of the damage
- Keep receipts for any equipment hire or emergency purchases (fans, wet vacuum hire, dehumidifiers, etc.)
Step 2: Remove standing water and extract as much as possible
Drying works best after you remove the water first. The more water you pull out now, the faster everything dries, and the lower the risk of bad smells and mould.
What to do
- Remove any pooled water first. If there is standing water, pump it out before you start vacuuming.
- Use a wet and dry vacuum. Move slowly and work in overlapping passes, like mowing a lawn, so you do not miss wet spots.
- For small areas, use towels after vacuuming. Press clean towels firmly into the carpet to soak up extra moisture.
- Repeat the extraction. Keep going until you are no longer pulling out water. One pass is rarely enough.
Common mistake to avoid
Using only towels or a small household vacuum is not enough. It leaves too much water trapped in the carpet backing and underlay, which is what causes lingering dampness, odours, and mould later. To learn more about effective methods, check out our guide on deep carpet cleaning explained.
Step 3: Check the underlay and subfloor, then decide if you can save it or you need to replace it
This step is where most DIY jobs fail. A carpet can look “almost dry” on top, while the underlay and floor underneath are still wet. That trapped moisture is what causes smells, mould, and long-term damage.
1) Lift a carpet edge and check underneath
Lift a corner near a doorway, or gently pull up an edge along the wall. Then check three things:
- Underlay: Is it soaked like a sponge?
- Subfloor: Is the floor underneath wet? (timber, concrete, particleboard)
- Smell: Is there a musty smell already?
If the underlay is saturated, the water is not just on the surface. It’s underneath, and that changes what you need to do next.
2) Save vs replace rules (simple and strict)
- Clean water (burst supply pipe, clean rainwater): Carpet may be saved if you act fast and dry it properly. The underlay may still need replacing if it’s soaked.
- Grey water (washing machine, dishwasher, water that has picked up dirt): The underlay should be removed and replaced. The carpet may be saved in some cases, but it depends on how quickly you act, how dirty the water is, and the condition of the carpet.
- Black water (sewage or outside floodwater): Remove and replace both carpet and underlay. This water is unsafe, and porous materials cannot be cleaned and sanitised reliably.
3) Practical guidance to help you decide
- If the underlay is soaked, replacement is usually the best choice. Underlay holds water, dries slowly, and is the main cause of smells and mould.
- If the carpet is delaminating (backing separating), rippling badly, or still smells sour after drying attempts, replacement is often the smarter and safer option.
Step 4: Dry it properly with airflow plus humidity control
Putting one fan on a wet carpet is not a real drying plan. To dry a carpet properly, you need two things working together:
- Air movement to lift moisture out
- Humidity control so that moisture does not just sit in the air and settle back into the carpet
The goal: dry every layer, not just the surface
You need to dry all layers, because moisture trapped underneath is what leads to smells, mould, and damage later:
- Carpet fibres
- Carpet backing
- Underlay (only if you are trying to save it)
- Subfloor underneath
A simple controlled setup that works
- Run a dehumidifier nonstop in the affected area. Keep doors to that zone mostly closed so the dehumidifier can do its job.
- Use multiple fans, positioned so air moves across the carpet surface (side-to-side), not just blowing straight down into one spot.
- Ventilate carefully. Fresh air helps when it is clean water and the outside air is dry. But if there is any chance of contamination, avoid spreading damp air through the whole house.
Drying tips that actually matter
- Warm, dry air speeds drying. If it is safe, gentle heat helps.
- High humidity slows drying. If the air is humid, the carpet will take much longer to dry, even with fans.
- Air needs a pathway underneath. If the underlay is still in place, the moisture can stay trapped below. Without airflow under the carpet, the subfloor can remain wet even when the top feels dry. Effective drying is crucial to prevent mould, as explained in NSW Health’s factsheet on mould.
For practical advice, see our article on identifying and removing carpet mould.
Step 5: Clean, sanitise, and handle odours based on the water type
Just because the carpet feels dry does not mean it is clean. Water can leave behind residue, bacteria, and smells, especially if it was not clean water. The right cleaning method depends on what type of water caused the damage.
If it was clean water
Once everything is fully dry:
- Deep clean the carpet. Hot water extraction is commonly used because it flushes out dirt and residues.
- Use a deodoriser if needed. This helps if there is a light stale smell after drying.
- Target the cause of the smell. Odours usually come from residue trapped in the fibres, backing, or underlay, not from “air” alone.
If it was grey water
Grey water is treated as contaminated, even if it looks clean.
- Replace the underlay. Underlay absorbs and holds contaminants and is very hard to clean properly.
- Clean and sanitise hard surfaces that got wet (skirting boards, concrete, timber floor, tiles).
- Professional cleaning is strongly recommended if the carpet was exposed to contaminants. This is the safest way to reduce hygiene and odour problems.
If it was black water
Black water is high risk and should be treated as unsafe.
- Remove and replace the carpet and underlay.
- Clean, sanitise, and fully dry the structure (subfloor, walls, framing, and any affected surfaces) before installing new carpet or flooring.
To address persistent smells post-flood, refer to our tips on why carpets smell and how to remove odours.
Step 6: Restore, reinstall, and prevent the next flood
This final step is about putting everything back only when it’s truly dry, then making small changes that reduce the chance of the same problem happening again.
When it is safe to reinstall
Only reinstall the carpet when all of these are true:
- The subfloor feels dry and does not smell damp
- There is no musty odour anywhere in the area
- The edges and tack strips (the gripper strips along the wall) are stable and not loose or rotting
- The carpet is not stretched, wavy, or misshapen
A common reality is that carpet often needs re-stretching after drying, especially if it was heavily soaked or lifted during the process. If it sits loose or rippled, it can become a trip hazard and wear out faster.
Prevention upgrades that make a big difference
These are the highest-impact fixes that help stop repeat water damage:
- Fix the source properly: plumbing leaks, roof leaks, gutter overflow, blocked drains, or poor drainage around the building
- Install water leak alarms: place them near bathrooms, the laundry, dishwasher, fridge water lines, and the hot water system
- If flooding keeps happening: consider changing flooring in high-risk areas (like laundry rooms or ground-level entries) to a more water-resistant option
Building flood-resilient homes can help, as detailed in this NEMA resource.
When to Call a Professional For Carpet Flood Restoration
Call a water damage or carpet restoration professional if the water is sewage or floodwater, if you are not sure how contaminated it is, or if the carpet and underlay are soaked through. Get help if water has reached the subfloor or walls, if you notice a musty smell within 24 to 48 hours, or if the affected area is large or spread across multiple rooms.
You should also call a professional like Westlink Commercial Cleaners if you cannot start drying right away, if the carpet is lifting, bubbling, or rippling, or if anyone in the home has asthma, allergies, or other breathing issues. If you are making an insurance claim, a professional can also provide moisture readings and documentation that insurers often ask for.
Benefits of Professional Carpet Flood Damage Restoration
Faster Extraction and Controlled Drying
Professional teams use commercial-grade water extractors, air movers, and dehumidifiers to pull moisture out of the carpet, underlay, and subfloor much faster than DIY methods. Faster drying matters because it reduces how long materials stay wet, which lowers the chance of lingering damp smells and ongoing moisture problems.
Accurate Assessment and Better “Save vs Replace” Decisions
Not every flood-damaged carpet can or should be saved. A professional can identify the water type (clean, grey, or black), check how far the moisture has travelled, and evaluate carpet construction and underlay condition. This prevents you from spending time and money trying to restore materials that are unsafe or unlikely to recover properly.
Hidden Moisture Detection
One of the biggest risks after flooding is moisture trapped where you cannot see it, such as under the carpet edges, beneath the underlay, near skirting boards, and inside subfloors. Professionals use moisture detection tools and systematic inspection methods to locate these hidden wet zones so the drying process targets the real problem, not just the surface.
Reduced Odour and Microbial Risk
Floodwater often leaves behind contamination, and even clean water becomes problematic if it sits too long. Professional restoration combines extraction, controlled drying, and appropriate cleaning or sanitising steps to reduce odours and the risk of mould or bacterial growth. This is especially important when the water source is uncertain or contaminated.
Subfloor Protection and Long-Term Damage Prevention
Carpet flood damage is rarely limited to the carpet. Underlay and subfloors can swell, warp, or stay damp for weeks if not dried correctly. Professional drying focuses on the building materials underneath as well, which helps prevent future issues like soft spots, floor movement, recurring smells, and costly repairs.
Safer Handling of Contaminated Water
If the flooding involves grey water or black water (such as sewage or stormwater), professional restoration is the safer option. Trained technicians use correct protective equipment, disposal methods, and cleaning protocols to reduce health risks and prevent contamination from spreading to other parts of the property.
Improved Finish and Usability After Drying
After the carpet is dry, professionals can restore usability and appearance by addressing issues like rippling, loosened edges, and seam movement. Re-stretching and proper finishing reduces trip hazards and helps the carpet wear evenly again.
Better Support for Insurance Claims
Many professional restoration jobs include photos, notes, and moisture-related documentation that helps support an insurance claim. Clear records can reduce disputes, speed up approvals, and show that the restoration was handled properly.
Quick decision guide: can I save this carpet?
Good chance to save if:
- water was clean
- you started extraction and drying quickly
- underlay is not heavily saturated, or you replaced it
- there is no persistent musty smell after drying
Replace if:
- water was sewage or outside floodwater
- underlay is soaked and smells
- carpet backing is separating, bubbling, or warped
- you cannot dry the subfloor properly
Conclusion
Carpet flood damage restoration comes down to two things: acting fast and doing it the right way. Stop the water first, remove as much water as you can, and then check the underlay and subfloor. After that, dry the area using steady airflow and humidity control until every layer is fully dry, not just the carpet surface. Once drying is complete, clean and sanitise based on the water type, and only reinstall when the floor underneath is dry and there is no damp smell.
If the water is contaminated, the affected area is large, or moisture has spread into the subfloor or walls, professional restoration is usually the safest and most cost-effective option.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon should I start drying a flooded carpet?
Immediately. The longer the carpet, underlay, and subfloor stay wet, the higher the risk of bad smells, mould, and carpet damage. If you can, start water extraction right away and begin controlled drying the same day.
Can I dry carpet with fans only?
Fans help, but fans alone usually do not finish the job properly. Fans move air, but they do not remove moisture from the air. In many cases, especially in humid weather or when the underlay is wet, you need a dehumidifier to pull moisture out and speed up drying.
Do I need to lift the carpet?
If the carpet is heavily soaked, yes. Water gets trapped underneath in the underlay and on the subfloor. If you only dry the top surface, the carpet can feel dry while the layers underneath stay wet, which leads to smells and mould risk.
Should I always replace underlay?
Not always, but usually yes if it is soaked. Underlay acts like a sponge and holds water for a long time. Even when the carpet surface feels dry, the underlay can still be damp and cause odour and mould problems. For contaminated water, underlay should be replaced.
What if the water came from a toilet overflow?
Treat it as contaminated. Toilet overflows often contain bacteria, even if the water looks clear. DIY carpet salvage is risky. The safest option is usually to remove the underlay (and often the carpet) and use professional cleaning, sanitising, and structural drying.
Why does it smell even after it “feels dry”?
Because the moisture is often still trapped in the underlay or subfloor, or the water left behind residue that was never cleaned out. Smell is a common sign that drying was incomplete or contamination was not treated properly.
Can baking soda fix wet carpet odour?
It can reduce smells for a short time, but it does not solve the real problem. Baking soda will not remove trapped moisture or contamination underneath the carpet. Proper extraction, controlled drying, and deep cleaning are what actually fix the cause of the odour.
How do professionals confirm it is dry?
They use moisture-measuring tools to check the carpet, underlay, and subfloor. They also monitor humidity and airflow during drying. Drying is confirmed when materials return close to their normal moisture level and there is no damp smell.
What makes drying take longer?
Several things slow drying down: thick or soaked underlay, water in the subfloor (especially timber or particleboard), cool temperatures, poor airflow, and high humidity. Large wet areas and delays in starting extraction also increase drying time.
When should I call a restoration professional right away?
Call immediately if the water is contaminated (sewage, toilet overflow, outside floodwater), if multiple rooms are affected, if the subfloor or walls are wet, or if you cannot remove water quickly. Professional help is also a good idea if a musty smell appears within 24 to 48 hours.
