Water damage spots! How to handle them?

[Bernd]

A new customer has had a water damage on his commercial carpet. There were some spots of the water. A other company cleaned the carpet but the spots come back. They look little brown circles.

He wants me to look for the spots and if there is a possibility to get of the brown circles.

Has anyone a idea how to handle these spots of the water damage? I have read HydrOx could be a possibility...

[Jarrod]

Hydrox is the answer. I believe you mix is a little stronger than normal. 20 or 25%. I can't truly remember exactly. The Cimex or crb will work or any low moisture technique . Keep moisture levels low. It should disappear like magic. Hydrox is great for browning problems.

[encapman]

Jarrod nailed it.

[Bernd]

So i have to spray the spots very lightly, a little bit of dwell time and then scrub with the crb.

Is this all or should i finish the process with a bonnet to dry faster?

[Jarrod]

I don't believe you have to but it won't hurt the process. The reason why the browning should not come back is because the fibers will be left on the acid side and browning does not happen using a detergent that is on the acid side.

[Bernd]

I don't believe you have to but it won't hurt the process. The reason why the browning should not  come back is because the fibers will be left on the acid side and browning does not happen using a detergent that is on the acid side.

Thanks Jarrod. I will try it!

[Lounge Lizards]

Bernd, what is the carpet fiber and what is the backing??

Water spots generally appear on carpet that has a jute backing.

Most carpets in the USA have what is called Action-Back, for simplicity, this is plastic.

In Australia, most carpets have a jute backing, made from natural plant fibers.

When the jute is over-wet, the jute staining wicks to the surface of the carpet pile.

Usually it looks like a "high tide" mark on the carpet.

Hydrox, as explained will remove this.

Synthetic carpet will improve very easily in the manner described.

Wool carpet may need a second application, although if they are only spots, I think it will also come out easily, just be a little lighter with the ratio mix.  

Hope this helps.



OOPS, I forgot, I put my product through my Cimex, but it would not hurt to do it your way.

Mixing the product with hot water, or the friction of your CRB, will also accelerate the process.

[encapman]

Shorty makes a good point that many of the older jute backings will invariably cause browning. It's called cellulosic browning. That's because the jute is made from plant material (i.e. cellulosic matter). And that will clearly turn brown. And it's true that we don't have a lot of jute backing in the USA anymore. But jute is not the only cause of browning... Dirt also contains a lot of cellulosic debris. And water has mineral content that adds to the cellulosic debris. Voila we have browning. A brownish colored water stain is very common on carpet that has no jute backing. Encap-HydrOx kicks that browning, as well as all other browning, to the curb.

[Lounge Lizards]

That's right Rick, I should have made the point more clear about Cellulosic Browning.

I'm getting slack.  

One other small point, regarding "wicking".

Bernd say's that others cleaners have cleaned the spot but it re-occurs, (sound familiar)  

I have also found that SOME oil based products that spill onto the carpet may be cleaned and disappear, but later wick back with a brown color which looks like water,  a couple of days later.

The person in charge may not fully know what the stain actually is and presumes it's water because of the color, ie; being a brown color, or because someone has told them it's water.

Many times a non-educated carpet cleaner may also think the same & treat as a water stain.

In these cases, I have found Releasit Punch to completely solve the problem.

 

PS:::: I love discussions like this, it helps some that are unaware of the different problems, and also makes forgetful people remember.  

[Bernd]

Thanks a lot Shorty and Rick! I feel educated and will be well prepared for the new commercial customer.

I will try to solve a part of their browning problem with HydrOx and the CRB- if it is succesfull i get a new paying customer for the whole office

[Bernd]

I have had the estimate in the office with their water/ browning spots. Went there two times and used HydrOx. The spot is getting lighter but still there.

Only sprayed light and worked with the CRB. But i am not really satisfied with the results.

I am thinking of going there again. But if it would be browning or a water spot HydrOx should helped.

Maybe it is something different..

What do you think should i give Punch try?

[encapman]

If Encap-HydrOx is not removing a water spot then there is something weird going on.

Apply Encap-HydrOx as a spotting treatment. Agitate it THOROUGHLY with your CRB. You could also blot the spots with a damp towel.
Next go back over the carpet and clean the entire section of carpet with the CRB using Encap-HydrOx.

If you are unable to take care of water spots with Encap-HydrOx then there's a real mystery going on here!

[Bernd]

If Encap-HydrOx is not removing a water spot then there is something weird going on.

Apply Encap-HydrOx as a spotting treatment. Agitate it THOROUGHLY with your CRB. You could also blot the spots with a damp towel.
Next go back over the carpet and clean the entire section of carpet with the CRB using Encap-HydrOx.

If you are unable to take care of water spots with Encap-HydrOx then there's a real mystery going on here!

Yes it is weird! They have had a water damage. Water came through a hole in the roof.

I thought it could be maybe something from the roof that created the spot thats why i was thinking about Punch!?

As you know a competitor cleaned the carpet and a few weeks later the spot appeared...really strange..

It is not a real spot...more like a circle.

I will try it with the spotting dilution and agitate thoroughly.

Thanks for your help!

[Lounge Lizards]

Hi Bernd, if the spot disappears, then resurfaces after it dries, or a couple of days later, it sounds more like a wicking problem to me, and NOT cellulosic browning/water spots.

One thing I have found with the product I use for cellulosic browning, is that when it makes contact with the problem, it tends to fizz up.

Most times I get rid of the problem in one hit, especially if mixed with hot water or friction from the agitation of the Cimex or Sprayborg.

Rarely do I have to return.




If there is an oil based product left at the base if the fibres, this may cause wicking as you have described.



Is the carpet direct stick (glued down) or a fitted carpet??

Do you know what the carpet fibre is??

[Bernd]

Hi Bernd, if the spot disappears, then resurfaces after it dries, or a couple of days later, it sounds more like a wicking problem to me, and NOT cellulosic browning/water spots.

One thing I have found with the product I use for cellulosic browning, is that when it makes contact with the problem, it tends to fizz up.

Most times I get rid of the problem in one hit, especially if mixed with hot water or friction from the agitation of the Cimex or Sprayborg.

Rarely do I have to return.




If there is an oil based product left at the base if the fibres, this may cause wicking as you have described.



Is the carpet direct stick (glued down) or a fitted carpet??

Do you know what the carpet fibre is??

I think it is glue down. I do not know the fiber. It is a looped carpet...very strong/ hard.

As you have read i thought of using Punch, but i am not sure. The spot is getting lighter but still there.