Sub-surface Flood Extractors: an Effective Damage Restoration Resource
One of the biggest problems that owners are faced with when it comes to flooding in homes and business establishments is water damage to carpets. Carpets, unlike furniture or appliances, cannot be moved as easily and dried conventionally out in the open. Standard drying, or hanging items to dry, may be applicable to rugs and smaller carpets, but not to large-sized or wall-to-wall carpeting. Carpets, particularly those using organic fibers, are known to attract molds when it has encountered water damage. The owner has no choice but to employ an effective damage restoration resource, which can be used to completely dry and restore a water-soaked carpet.
Probably the most effective water damage restoration resource for carpets is the sub-surface flood extractor. Flood extractors have specially designed suction plates that maximize channeling of water into the vacuum chamber. It is different from a standard wet-dry vacuum cleaner in the way they remove water from the surface. A wet-dry vacuum cleaner glides across the surface to be cleaned, while the flood extractor removes considerable amounts of water one section at a time.
Carpets that are soaked in water are not only wet on the surface, but even on the sub-surface and padding as well. The flood extractor is an ideal damage restoration resource for this application as it is capable of drawing water from the water-drenched carpet, its sub-surface and even up the pad and flooring.
The sub-surface flood extractor, as a damage restoration resource, can be used effectively even if the carpet is still soaked with standing water. Simply place the extractor at the middle of the room, or in an area where a larger concentration of the water is located. It can act as a pump to remove this standing water effectively.
To use the flood extractor as a water damage restoration resource, removal is performed in one direction first across all areas of the carpet. Usually, one pass is not enough to remove sub-surface waters completely. A second pass might be required and this can be done in an opposite direction perpendicular to the first pass. As mentioned earlier, flood extractors are used one section at a time. The vacuum is engaged for a pre-determined time. After this time, the vacuum is released and the pad is moved to another section. It is important to note that the sections should not overlap, as the flood extractor can remove water 5 inches or more away from the pad, depending on the length of time the vacuum is engaged.
Sub-surface extractors have one disadvantage though. As a damage restoration resource, it is effective in water removal for padded carpets or those with underlay. However, the extractor losses this effectiveness when used with carpets that have no underlying padding. For this purpose, a standard wet-dry vacuum cleaner can do the job with the same effectiveness.
After using the sub-surface extractor, some of the surface fibers might still be damp. This can be dried out by using wet-dry vacuum cleaners. It is important to note that a flood extractor alone, as a damage restoration resource, may not completely dry out a water-soaked carpet. It should be used with other restoration tools like vacuum cleaners, air movers and dehumidifiers.
