I was driving through a slightly flooded street and my floorboards got wet. I'd estimate an inch or so of water got in my car. Insurance totaled it but also gave me back an option to retain the car for dirt cheap. I'm thinking I'll go with this option. The car runs fine but it just stinks really bad and I think some mold might be growing in the carpet. What do I need to do to clean all the carpet out? Are there any car wash places around down that are specializing in cleaning out flooded cars like this? Thanks!
Aqua car wash on montrose and gray claims to offer this service. The sign I read says you have to leave your car for up to 4 hours. I would personally look into just replacing the carpet all together. I'm not sure what that cost but I don't imagine there is a shortage of options. What if you pay for the wash and the smell never fully leaves the car?? Something to think about.
Sit it out in a hot parking lot with all the windows down for several days to dry up any wet spots/ mold. If it already stinks you'll probably have to pull the carpet out. If it still is soaked after all this time you're going to have problems ever getting it right again. Any auto parts store will have all the cleaning supplies you need - any auto detailing shop should be able to help you.
Only one inch? Not bad at all. If it's just your carpet, and you are handy with some tools, you can pull out your seats and console and replace the carpet. Invest in some 3m adhesive spray. Once that moldy smell gets in the carpet, its near impossible to get out.
my other car was flooded 4 years ago and I had 3-4inches of water in the the car. I let it air dry for 2 days and finally pulled the carpet out to clean it and the smell was not that noticeable. After about 2 months some of the smell reappeared and I guess the cleaning smell was wearing off. If it was me I would just replace it with brand new carpet and not have to worry about mold or anything.
OP same **** happened to me but only my second vehicle got flooded so I don't have any more than basic insurance on her. (My old 2006 Denali just use it for vacations and what not). I honestly think it's worth taking to a dealership and explaining what happened and have them take every seat out of the car and shampoo and dry it. It cost me 550 out here but I'd call around. I'm working 6 days a week and gutting my moms flooded house at night otherwise I MIGHT have tackled the project myself. But anyways it might be worth it to you to take it to the pros because they do a great job and it's very important to get all that crap out. Also sorry this happened (it sucks)
Also OP if you are on Facebook join "Houston area off-road recovery" group. Any question like this and these guys are so helpful. They will give you about a million suggestions and genuinely love to help people
You're going to lose your car headliner upholstery, too. Maybe you don't see the effects, yet, but soon. You car will have high humidity and the glue for the top liner will fail, and your liner will start expanding and sagging like a cheap ass car.
I was listening to the car radio show on saturday mornings on 610. Guy claimed there was some machine that would make the car smell better (maybe this was for smokers). But he said if you take it to a dealer, they'll close it up and put a machine inside of it and run it for a half day. And it would smell better. Not sure if that would help. Probably only after the carpet is clean/dry.
