Whether its due to flooding, burst pipes, or sump pump overflow, you’ve now discovered your basement carpet is soaking wet. So what do you do now? Carpet that has become wet must be dried within 48 hours, or mold will begin to grow. The first thing you must do is assess the damage. Determine exactly where your basement is damp, as well as check to make sure mold hasn’t already begun growing on your carpet. Its always a good idea to seek help from neighbors, friends, or family when taking on a job that will be much more than you can take on alone. The next step you should take is to remove any furniture from saturated parts of your basement. If you have items that have been damaged by water, get rid of them. Another option for the more important items would be to have them professionally cleaned to remove any chance of mold and mildew. Next, get rid of as much water as possible. Soak it up with sponges, rags, or a ShopVac vacuum. Pull up any areas of carpeting that have been soaked or wet. Make sure to also pull up the padding if it is wet. Move your carpet to an area where it can get plenty of air, such as outside. Once the carpeting and padding have completely dried, lay them on the floor. Once the carpets are in place again, clean them with a carpet cleaning machine. Finally, sprinkle some baking soda on areas of the carpet where an odor is present. Let the soda sit for a while then vacuum it up. For the easiest possible cleanup, Mar-flex recommends DryPatrol. They are experts at mold remediation and water cleanup. DryPatrol works with your insurance company to ensure the lowest rates and the quickest possible repairs.