December 16th, 2012

Several strong thunder storms and wind storms found
their way to Harrisonburg and the surrounding counties this summer. 
We received several calls after each storm for oriental rugs that had
been affected by the storms.  So
let’s talk a little about what to do with a storm damaged rug or just a
waterlogged rug.


The problem with rugs is that everyone is made different.  Unless you are an expert, you just don’t know what materials you are dealing with. So, you have to treat every rug as if it is a hand knotted oriental rug that was made sixty years ago with vegetable based dyes!  

The average person that has had water damage to their home is
busy enough with emergency water removal, insurance companies and life get complicated fast.  The rug is quickly forgotten about.  A few
days go by and it can be ruined by mold, mildew and dye bleed. 
In this area of the country, the rug is usually in the basement were the
water could get to it and the basement is the one place were nothing is going
to dry on its own.  The rug must come out of the home for dying. 
Mold and mildew become an issue quickly regardless of what type of rug it
is.  No matter where it is in the home, it must be removed.  So if
you want to move it yourself, here is how to move correctly. 

First, plan your route out of the house.  
A large rug needs to be ROLLED, never folded, so plan how you are going
to move through the house to the outside.   Remember, the rolled rug is going
to be as long as the rug is wide.  
  
Second, find a clean dry painter’s drop cloth that is as big or
bigger that the rug.  Put it on top of the rug covering the entire rug.  

Third, if it is a large rug, find an object that you can roll
inside the rug for support.  A
clean construction 2X4 is a simple item to use. 

Forth, stand at one end of the now covered rug. 
Place the 2X4 on the end of the rug from left to right in front of
you.  Now roll the rug starting
with the 2X4 first so it is inside the center of the rolled rug. 
The reason for the 2X4 is so a larger rug will not buckle while you are
moving it. The reason for the drop
cloth is dye bleed.  The drop cloth
separates the rug and keeps it from touching itself inside the roll. 
This controls or at least absorbs the dye bleeding. 
However, once it is rolled, the clock is ticking.  

Fifth, please get this rug to a professional or at
lease outside in the sunshine.  I will tell you a secret!  If you or
a neighbor have a trampoline, take the rug to it and roll it out! 
Trampolines are one of the best rug dryers in the world. 
Just keep the kids off of it!!


At this point you really should call a pro. 
If you have home owner insurance, the professional rug cleaning should be covered.   A full professional
cleaning soon after the water intrusion should not cost any more that a normal
rug wash unless there was a ton of sediment in the intruding water. 
If mold, mildew and odors start to occur, the price could skyrocket.  So make a call and let someone else take care of this problem before it becomes an expensive issue. 
After all, this is why we pay insurance premiums as much as we hope we do
not need to use it.


Feel free to call me if you have any question about how to care
for your rugs.


Barry Click
Green Solutions Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning LLC
and
Harrisonburg Rug Cleaning
540-705-6171
www.Greensolutionscleaning.net
www.carpetcleaningharrisonburg.com
www.HarrisonburgRugCleaning.com