How to Dry Wet Carpet and Avoid a Costly Disaster
Spilled water? Burst pipe? Flooded room? Wet carpet is more than just an annoying mess—it can be a serious risk to your home, your health, and your wallet.
At Capital Facility Services, we’re not just another cleaning company. In 2025, we were proud to be named Victorian State Winner for Excellence in Restoration Services at the Australian Achiever Awards —recognised for the quality, reliability, and care we bring to every job. And when it comes to wet carpet cleaning, we know exactly what to do, how fast to move, and what to look for—so you don’t end up with long-term damage or mould underfoot.
Let’s walk you through what really matters when you’re dealing with water-damaged carpet and the steps that need to be considered when considering how to dry wet carpet.
First, Don’t Just Soak It Up and Hope for the Best
It’s natural to want to grab towels or a mop and start blotting, but wet carpet is like an iceberg—most of the damage is below the surface.
- Water seeps through your carpet into the underlay, which acts like a sponge.
- It keeps going into the subfloor, which might be timber or concrete.
- Then it creeps into your skirting boards, walls, cabinetry, and doors.
Just because the surface feels dry doesn’t mean your property is moisture-free. And the longer you wait, the more likely it is that mould will grow, walls will swell, and carpet will become unsalvageable.
Understanding the Category and Class of Water Damage
Not all water damage is the same. Knowing how to dry wet carpet properly starts with knowing what type of water you’re dealing with, and how far it’s spread.
Water Damage Categories:
At Capital Facility Services, we offer comprehensive mould removal in bathroom spaces and other affected areas. Our professional process includes:
- Category 1 (Clean Water): From a burst pipe or clean source—safe if treated fast.
- Category 2 (Grey Water): From dishwashers or washing machines—can contain contaminants.
- Category 3 (Black Water): From floodwaters or sewage—dangerous and often requires removal of all affected materials.
Water Damage Classes:
- Class 1: Only part of a room affected, minor absorption.
- Class 2–3: Water soaked into carpet, underlay, walls, and insulation.
- Class 4: Deep materials (like concrete or hardwood) saturated—requires specialty drying.
Each combination of category and class changes how we approach drying. That’s why professional assessment is essential.
Why DIY Wet Carpet Cleaning Can Go Very Wrong
We see it all the time: a fan here, a heater there. The problem? DIY drying often:
- Misses-soaked underlay and subfloor.
- Causes mould from incomplete drying.
- Spreads contamination when the water isn’t clean.
- Risks shrinkage or fire damage from heat tools.
- Leaves no documentation for insurance claims.
Your carpet might feel dry, but if it wasn’t professionally assessed and moisture tested, damage could still be hiding below.
How Capital Facility Services Gets It Done Right
As Melbourne’s award-winning restoration specialists, here’s how we handle wet carpet cleaning and drying:
- Fast 24/7 Response: We’re at your door quickly, with the right tools and IICRC-certified experts.
- Moisture Assessment: We have qualified technicians with years of experience – they know what to look out for. Using thermal imaging and moisture meters, they check not just the carpet, but walls, floors, and hidden cavities.
- Water Extraction: We remove as much water as possible using high-grade, commercial extraction equipment.
- Drying Process:
- – We lift carpets (if needed), remove saturated underlay, and set up air movers and dehumidifiers to enable effective drying and moisture control.
- – Our drying program tackles subfloors and surrounding materials that may be affected by water damage, like walls, skirting boards and doors.
- Cleaning & Reinstatement:
- – Once dry, we can steam clean carpets, reinstall underlay (if removed or lifted for drying), and restore everything to pre-damage condition—or better.
- Insurance Reporting:
- – Every step is documented with readings, photos, and drying logs to support your insurance claim.
Recognised. Reliable. Ready to Respond.
Winning the 2025 Victorian State Award for Restoration Excellence wasn’t luck—it was a result of our consistent service, experienced team, and care for every client.
So if you’re searching how to dry wet carpet or thinking of trying wet carpet cleaning on your own—stop. You’ve only got one shot to get it right before hidden moisture causes long-term issues. Call Capital Facility Services on 1300 554 418. We’ll make your carpet dry, clean, and safe—professionally, and fast.
