A Dozen Things You CAN Do In An Emergency

• Call Brooklyn Carpet Cleaning immediately! We're on call 24 hours.
• Avoid entering any room if the ceiling appears to be wet or sagging.
• If the water is grey or black, it may be contaminated by sewage or other harmful microbial substances; do not handle any items in the area and do not turn on fans or heating and air conditioning systems.
• If the water is clear and it is possible to do so, quickly eliminate the source of the flooding - shutting off a valve, for instance.
• If you can do so safely, turn off the electricity to flooded areas.
• If you can do so safely, move any electrical devices from the area.
• Avoid walking on wet carpets or rugs whenever possible.
• Move small furnishings, such as side tables and chairs, from wet carpet as quickly as possible. Place aluminum foil or wax paper under the legs of large furniture pieces, such as dressers or china cabinets, to help prevent carpet damage.
• Remove items that are fragile or sensitive to moisture - books, fabrics, glassware, or knickknacks - from rooms affected by flooding. Also remove any items such as potted plants that could stain your carpets or rugs.
• Pin up draperies, curtains, and the skirts on furniture to prevent the formation of water lines and marks.
• Towel dry wooden furniture, countertops and fittings.
• To avoid the risk of electrical shock, do not try to use home vacuums or shop vacs to extract water in flooded areas.

Flood Waters

There are three categories of flood water, and determining the category of your problem will identify the best course of action. However, it is critical that you seek assistance immediately, because category 1 waters can worsen into category 2 or 3 very quickly.

Category 1 - clear water
This type of flooding usually involves clean water that originated from a source that does not present an immediate danger to humans or animals. Examples include water from a broken pipe or water heater.

Category 2 - grey water
If the flood water appears to be gray, filmy, or murky, it may contain a significant level of contamination that could cause sickness or discomfort to humans exposed to it. Clear water can become murky or fall into category 2 within 24-72 hours.

Category 3 - black water
Black water, which may occur in incidents of mass flooding or sewage, is extremely dangerous. It is unsanitary and contains significant microbial and pathogenic agents. You should make every effort to prevent your family members or pets from being exposed to this category of flood waters.

Category 3 water includes sewage and other contaminated water sources entering or affecting the indoor environment.

Sources may be toilet backflows that originate from beyond the toilet trap; other sources include all forms of flooding from seawater, ground surface water, and rising water from rivers and streams.

These water sources can carry silt and organic matter into structures and create black water conditions.

The health of workers and occupants is the most important consideration when dealing with sewage backflows.

Always remove and properly dispose of both carpet and padding affected by Category 3 water damage. It is not salvageable.

When you request service from Brooklyn Carpet Cleaning, you can count on state-of-the-art equipment, environmentally sound cleaning products, and our exceptional customer service. Our reputation depends on it!

We welcome your questions and are happy to offer professional advice; call or email us for a free in-home consultation!