Posted on October 30, 2019 by Behnam Rugs

2019 Dallas Tornado Damage: Saving Your Rugs

Nearly two weeks after the devastating tornadoes hit we are still receiving calls about rugs trapped under debris. If you need an asset recovery assessment, we work with insurance to settle damaged rugs. As part of our service we do free evaluations and appraisals for your insurance company for damage due to the 2019 Dallas area tornadoes.

Behnam Rugs is sharing storm preparation tips to keep your fine rugs safe from damage in the future. Following these preventative measures will hopefully mean you don’t have to use home owner’s insurance to replace your rug.

The first thing you’ll want to do is roll up your rugs and put them somewhere at least 10 inches above the floor. If you live in a two story house, move the rugs upstairs.

If you can, store the rugs in a windowless room. Wrap the rugs in plastic for the time being (never keep your rugs in plastic for an extended period of time). Keep the rug vertical wherever you choose to store it, as other methods lead to creases.

Take photographs of all the things you own for insurance purposes. Behnam Rugs can evaluate your rug from a picture if it is trapped in your home.

Seal or cover window frames so that water and debris have a harder time getting in.

Elevate anything that could rust. Unplug appliances and move them several feet from the ground.

Place furniture tabs under furnishings so that they don’t bleed into carpet or mark the floor.

Remember, if you choose not to move your area rug to higher ground, it will become a sponge that generates mold and mildew within 48 hours.

If you rug suffers water damage, clean and extract the water within 24-48 hours to avoid mold and color runs. Some antique rugs and rugs that use vegetable dye are less likely to experience color running. If your rug has been exposed to water for longer than 48 hours, you will need to take it to a professional for cleaning and mold removal before the fibers rot.

When the rug lays on the floor while storm water courses over it, it acts as a filter and debris goes deep into the rug’s foundation before the water runs off. This debris becomes trapped and must be removed by a professional.

The first thing you need to do if your rug gets wet is dry it. Remove the water and then use fans to air it out.

Or, take the wet rug to Behnam Rugs as soon as possible for immediate washing.

It is not always possible to save rugs with water damage, but Behnam Rugs will do their best to salvage your fine rug if it does get wet. First we extract the water and dry the rug, then we wash it and dry it again.Remember, timing is key. Dry a wet rug as soon as possible to increase the chances of rescuing the rug. Call 972-733-0400.