Question:
>> I can wet-vac the area, but that won’t get it totally dry. Can anyone > suggest another treatment? Thank you! >Wet vac it as well as you can, then set up fans blowing across it to dry >it out. If you have a dehumidifier, set it up in the area, and even >consider "tenting" the dehumidifier over the area with plastic sheeting >(though allow for some airflow to avoid overheating the dehumidifier).
Something like this happened to a 8×12 area of our carpet. "Tenting" with a dehumidifier under it worked very well. We still have the carpet and it is okay now. It did smell "skunky" for a week. My wife wanted it ripped out right then, but I said let’s not give up so soon, and it turned out okay. Ours was not in a central living area. If yours is, or the area is large, perhaps waiting is not palatable to you. Good luck, -v.
Response:
> The air conditioner drain in my house clogged today, leading to the A/C > overflowing and getting about a square yard (= one square meter) of carpet > wet. There is a foam-rubber pad under the carpet. If I do nothing, mold > and mildew will begin growing there in the next day or two. > The carpet was installed this week…real bad timing on that A/C overflow :-( > I can wet-vac the area, but that won’t get it totally dry. Can anyone > suggest another treatment? Thank you!
Pull up the carpet and cut out any wet padding. Cut a small piece a throw the rest away. Take the piece down to local carpet store and have them match it. Have the carpet re-tacked . Mark Atanovich "Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement."
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > The air conditioner drain in my house clogged today, leading to the A/C > overflowing and getting about a square yard (= one square meter) of carpet > wet. There is a foam-rubber pad under the carpet. If I do nothing, mold > and mildew will begin growing there in the next day or two. > The carpet was installed this week…real bad timing on that A/C overflow :-( > I can wet-vac the area, but that won’t get it totally dry. Can anyone > suggest another treatment? Thank you! > —
You’re going to have to peel the carpet and pad off of the tackless strips all the way back to where it is dry. Then vac or mop the water up. Leave the carpet up off the floor where you have peeled it back for until it dries. Good luck — Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.
Response:
}The air conditioner drain in my house clogged today, leading to the A/C }overflowing and getting about a square yard (= one square meter) of carpet }wet. There is a foam-rubber pad under the carpet. If I do nothing, mold }and mildew will begin growing there in the next day or two. } }The carpet was installed this week…real bad timing on that A/C overflow :-( } }I can wet-vac the area, but that won’t get it totally dry. Can anyone }suggest another treatment? Thank you!
Set it all on fire…
Response:
I would call the folks you got the carpet from.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The air conditioner drain in my house clogged today, leading to the A/C > overflowing and getting about a square yard (= one square meter) of carpet > wet. There is a foam-rubber pad under the carpet. If I do nothing, mold > and mildew will begin growing there in the next day or two. > The carpet was installed this week…real bad timing on that A/C overflow 
> I can wet-vac the area, but that won’t get it totally dry. Can anyone > suggest another treatment? Thank you! > —
Response:
I second the towel suggestion. I have dogs and sometimes have to clean accidents. It’s amazing the amount of moisture you can squeeze out of carpet and pad by repeatedly putting towels down and walking on them. Barbara
Response:
> The air conditioner drain in my house clogged today, leading to the A/C > overflowing and getting about a square yard (= one square meter) of carpet > wet. There is a foam-rubber pad under the carpet. If I do nothing, mold > and mildew will begin growing there in the next day or two. > The carpet was installed this week…real bad timing on that A/C overflow :-( > I can wet-vac the area, but that won’t get it totally dry. Can anyone > suggest another treatment? Thank you!
I have seen many of these mini disasters. A couple of points. 1. This is covered by homeowners or renters insurance if you have any. 2. A professional Fire Restoration Contractor may be able to help — they have stronger vaccums, fans and dehumidifiers. 3. Do not place dehumidifier under the carpet, and do not use old towels. 4. Hopefully, all furniture and belongings have been move to a dry area — clean and dry all wet metal parts. 5. Lifting this will probably cause the back foam to rip from the carpet because it is glued down. 6. Mildewcides and Germicides in spray bottles will prevent mildew and germ growth. 7. All your efforts may be in vain so keep track of what you spend in case you do submit an insurance claim. Bob
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The air conditioner drain in my house clogged today, leading to the A/C > overflowing and getting about a square yard (= one square meter) of carpet > wet. There is a foam-rubber pad under the carpet. If I do nothing, mold > and mildew will begin growing there in the next day or two. > The carpet was installed this week…real bad timing on that A/C overflow :-( > I can wet-vac the area, but that won’t get it totally dry. Can anyone > suggest another treatment? Thank you! > — > Get as much water out as you can. Place absorbent towels over the > area and walk on it to squeeze the water out of the foam. Keep doing > it with fresh dry towels as long as they are absorbing water. > Get fans and blow air across the area. If you have a dehumidifier > position it to blow dry air on the area. Which bring up another > possibility… try using a hair dryer.
Yeah, I should have mentioned the towels (my wife keeps a stack of old towels around for just such cleanups). Be careful using any heating appliance as you don’t want to overheat and scorch/melt the carpet fibers.
Response:
The air conditioner drain in my house clogged today, leading to the A/C overflowing and getting about a square yard (= one square meter) of carpet wet. There is a foam-rubber pad under the carpet. If I do nothing, mold and mildew will begin growing there in the next day or two. The carpet was installed this week…real bad timing on that A/C overflow :-( I can wet-vac the area, but that won’t get it totally dry. Can anyone suggest another treatment? Thank you! —
Response:
> The air conditioner drain in my house clogged today, leading to the A/C > overflowing and getting about a square yard (= one square meter) of carpet > wet. There is a foam-rubber pad under the carpet. If I do nothing, mold > and mildew will begin growing there in the next day or two. > The carpet was installed this week…real bad timing on that A/C overflow :-( > I can wet-vac the area, but that won’t get it totally dry. Can anyone > suggest another treatment? Thank you! > —
Get as much water out as you can. Place absorbent towels over the area and walk on it to squeeze the water out of the foam. Keep doing it with fresh dry towels as long as they are absorbing water. Get fans and blow air across the area. If you have a dehumidifier position it to blow dry air on the area. Which bring up another possibility… try using a hair dryer. Don K.
Response:
> The air conditioner drain in my house clogged today, leading to the A/C > overflowing and getting about a square yard (= one square meter) of carpet > wet. There is a foam-rubber pad under the carpet. If I do nothing, mold > and mildew will begin growing there in the next day or two. > The carpet was installed this week…real bad timing on that A/C overflow :-( > I can wet-vac the area, but that won’t get it totally dry. Can anyone > suggest another treatment? Thank you!
Wet vac it as well as you can, then set up fans blowing across it to dry it out. If you have a dehumidifier, set it up in the area, and even consider "tenting" the dehumidifier over the area with plastic sheeting (though allow for some airflow to avoid overheating the dehumidifier).
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