Drying carpet :(

elfer

elfer

Member
 SE UK
One of my roof drain buckets was clogged (at the top), which let water into the car when it overflowed. That's now unclogged and draining correctly but my carpet is sodden on the passenger side, both back and front. Aside from removing the seats, does anyone know how much interior trim disassembly is required to lift the carpet up enough to dry out the foam undersides with a fan heater?

I want to ensure I allow enough time for the job. Ideally I'd be able get it easily done in a day, but if I need a day to strip all the plastics just to lift the carpet I'll have to plan accordingly)

(And lessons to self are 1) avoid parking under neighbour's overhanging tree and 2) it's not sufficient to just ensure the drain holes in the rear arches are kept clear)
 
The rear section of carpet can be pulled out from under the trims, if you remove the side parts then just pull it down from the rear trim section.
The front piece, however, goes across both sides and can only be fully removed by either cutting it, or removing the heater. You do NOT want to be doing that!

Lift the carpets as high as you can, push lots of towels underneath as far as possible, then weigh the carpet down (I used old batteries). this will squeeze the water out of the foam. You will need to swap the towels a few times.
Then finish off with the fan heater or a hair dryer.
 
Brilliant, thanks enuff_Zed!

I managed to half-fill my wet vac, squeezing the foam of the rear section and sucking up the water that came out.

IMG_20260117_115833.jpg

Now done what you suggest with a dozen or so microfibre towels under the carpet at the rear . Will keep swapping those out until they stop coming out wringing wet!

Relieved that the floor plan is painted so, hopefully, it's not going to immediately start rusting!
 
elfer said:
Brilliant, thanks enuff_Zed!

I managed to half-fill my wet vac, squeezing the foam of the rear section and sucking up the water that came out.

View attachment 289401

Now done what you suggest with a dozen or so microfibre towels under the carpet at the rear . Will keep swapping those out until they stop coming out wringing wet!

Relieved that the floor plan is painted so, hopefully, it's not going to immediately start rusting!
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Shocking how much water can be in that foam when the top of the carpet still feels dry!
 
If you have access to a dehumidifier put that in the car and leave it on overnight, even when you think the foam is dry the dehumidifier can still pull a couple of litres of water out before its fully dry
 
enuff_zed said:
Look mate, if I found a car in the wilderness I wouldn’t waste time sucking water from the carpet; I’d drive it to the pub!
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Last car I found in the wilderness had no wheels, no engine and no seats. I would have licked the carpet but it had none of those either and two lads were pegging it with the radio.

Or was that in Sefton Park Palm House? Long time ago. ;)
 
@elfer this surely will not dry within a day. After using the towels, lift the carpet as much as you can by putting something sturdy enough to keep it away from the metal letting air to circulate. Then use the dehumidifier for 3-4 days to get all out.
 
Straba said:
@elfer this surely will not dry within a day. After using the towels, lift the carpet as much as you can by putting something sturdy enough to keep it away from the metal letting air to circulate. Then use the dehumidifier for 3-4 days to get all out.
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To clarify, I'm not expecting it to dry in a day. The car's SORN for winter and won't be going anywhere for the next two months. It was more that I have other things I need to spend my spare time on right now, so if it was going to require multiple days stripping and reinstalling all the interior trim then I'd have to book leave from work.

It's working well so far, I'm popping out twice a day for a few minutes to change the microfibre towels out for dry replacements. Those I'm taking out have gone from wet to damp, so I'm making progress :)
 
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Ive been thinking of gutting the foam from under the seats to reduce the sponge effect holding the water. It would make it easier to see the moisture and remove it. Any thoughts?
 
Rmd143 said:
Ive been thinking of gutting the foam from under the seats to reduce the sponge effect holding the water. It would make it easier to see the moisture and remove it. Any thoughts?
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I imagine it's there for road noise sound deadening, but if that didn't bother you could try it. Hard to reinstate if you don't like it though!
 
Rmd143 said:
Ive been thinking of gutting the foam from under the seats to reduce the sponge effect holding the water. It would make it easier to see the moisture and remove it. Any thoughts?
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Think you'll find the carpet will then dip and crease into the void left by the foam.
 
I put a portable dehumidifier in mine for a week. I didnt have loads of water but the door membrane had failed and it worked a treat
 
enuff_zed said:
Think you'll find the carpet will then dip and crease into the void left by the foam.
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yes but its under the seat no one sees it anyway. My concern it is sound deadening. I was thinking a tar based sound deadening mat. that way its not absorbent. Maybe scuppers in the floorboard LOL :rolleyes:
 
Rmd143 said:
yes but its under the seat no one sees it anyway. My concern it is sound deadening. I was thinking a tar based sound deadening mat. that way its not absorbent. Maybe scuppers in the floorboard LOL :rolleyes:
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Have you lifted the carpet and looked at it? The foam goes all the way to the front, not just under the seat.
 
The foam also forms the rigidity of the carpeted floor especially into the front sections toward the dash/firewall
 
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