Carpet and Upholstery Water Damage Restoration in Charleston, SC

Get Your Home Back to Comfortable — Without Replacing Everything

Living in Charleston means we’re no strangers to moisture — whether it’s the sudden summer downpours, the humid ocean air rolling in from the coast, or stormwater creeping in during hurricane season. From downtown’s historic homes to the newer builds in West Ashley and Daniel Island, the risk of water damage to carpets and upholstered furniture is a real and frustrating issue for local homeowners.

If you’ve ever walked barefoot across a soggy rug or sunk into a damp couch cushion after a storm, you know how uncomfortable (and unhealthy) water damage can be. The good news? You don’t have to throw everything out. ServiceMaster of Charleston offers expert carpet and upholstery water damage restoration designed specifically for Charleston homes — fast, effective, and with a neighborly touch.

What Happens When Humidity and Hurricanes Hit Home Interiors

Charleston’s charm comes with a climate that’s not always kind to the inside of your home. With average relative humidity hovering around 75% and storm season stretching from May to November, soft surfaces like carpets and upholstered furniture are especially vulnerable.

Even a small leak or spill can turn into a long-term issue in places like Mount Pleasant or James Island, where older homes may not have modern moisture barriers. Once water seeps into your carpet padding or deep into couch cushions, the drying process gets tricky — and that’s where serious damage can sneak in.

Not All Water Damage Is Obvious — Here’s What to Look (and Sniff) For

Sometimes water damage is dramatic — like when a burst pipe leaves your living room underwater. But often, it’s a lot quieter. A slow leak from an upstairs bathroom or minor flooding from a summer storm might not leave puddles, but that doesn’t mean your home is dry.

So how can you tell? If your carpet feels cool or slightly squishy days after a leak, or if your couch smells a little musty, that’s a red flag. Discoloration in certain spots, sudden sagging in cushions, or that unmistakable mildew smell are signs that moisture is lingering in places you can’t see. And in Charleston, where mold loves to thrive, time is not on your side.

Why You Shouldn’t Wait for Mold to Make the Call

It’s tempting to wait and see if things dry out on their own — especially after a busy week or a storm that seemed minor. But in our local climate, moisture doesn’t just disappear. It gets trapped. And in carpets and upholstery, it stays longer than you’d think.

Once water has soaked through the outer layers, it settles in. And unless that moisture is removed quickly and completely, mold and mildew can begin growing in as little as 24 to 48 hours. That’s especially true in humid areas like Johns Island or Folly Beach, where ventilation may already be a challenge.

By calling ServiceMaster of Charleston early, you can avoid mold growth, save your furniture, and protect your family’s health.

Forget the Shop-Vac — This Is a Job for Pros

If you’ve tried to dry things out on your own, you’re not alone. Many homeowners pull out the shop-vac or aim a few fans at the area. While that might seem helpful, it usually only dries the surface.

Water in carpet padding, inside couch cushions, or underneath wood furniture frames needs more than airflow. That’s where we come in. ServiceMaster of Charleston uses advanced tools like thermal imaging, moisture meters, and injection drying systems to find and extract hidden water from places the eye can’t see.

We understand the construction styles of Charleston homes — from raised foundations on James Island to slab-built homes in Goose Creek — and we know how to navigate crawl spaces, high water tables, and other local quirks that affect moisture movement.

What Makes ServiceMaster of Charleston Different from a National Chain (Even Though We Are One)

Yes, we’re backed by a national brand — but this location is firmly rooted in the Charleston community. We’ve been serving Lowcountry residents for years, and we know the unique restoration challenges that come with living in a coastal, storm-prone region.

Whether your carpet is soaked after a tropical storm or your antique chair has absorbed water from a slow HVAC leak, we’ve probably seen it before — and we know how to help. You won’t get a one-size-fits-all solution here. Instead, you’ll get fast local response, technicians who understand Charleston’s home styles, and restoration plans tailored to your property, not just your ZIP code.

Can Your Carpet or Couch Be Saved? Most of the Time — Yes.

We get this question all the time — and the answer is usually reassuring. In most cases, water-damaged carpets and upholstery can be restored, especially if the water came from a clean source (like a plumbing leak or overflow).

Here’s what determines the outcome:

Time: The sooner we get to the damage, the more likely it is we can save it.
Type of material: Natural fabrics dry differently than synthetics.
Contamination: Stormwater or sewage exposure might require replacement, but clean water damage rarely does.

Our team will assess everything on-site and walk you through your options. We’re honest about what can and can’t be saved — and we never recommend replacing something just to make the job easier.

How Long Until It’s Dry Enough to Live On Again?

Every home and situation is different, but most carpets and furniture can be dried and restored within a few days. In cases with deep saturation or hidden moisture, we may need additional time — but we always keep you informed.

We’ll also guide you through what to do (and what not to do) while your home is drying:

You can stay in the house in most situations.
Pets should be kept away from drying equipment.
We may ask you to keep your HVAC running or use fans to help speed things up.

In short, we make the restoration process as low-disruption as possible — and we treat your home with the same care we’d want for our own.

Call Now to Stop the Soaking from Getting Worse

Water damage doesn’t fix itself. And in Charleston’s climate, what feels like a minor problem today could become a mold issue by next week. Whether it’s a single damp area or full-room saturation, ServiceMaster of Charleston is ready to respond — 24/7.

The faster we act, the more we can save — and the sooner your home feels like home again.

FAQs

“Do I have to get rid of my carpet if it’s been wet for more than a day?”
Not necessarily. If it was clean water and we can start restoration quickly, carpets can often be fully dried, cleaned, and deodorized — no replacement needed.

“Is it safe to sit on a water-damaged couch?”
Only if it’s been professionally dried. If moisture is still inside the cushions or frame, it could be harboring mold or bacteria. We recommend having it checked first.

“How do I know if the moisture is gone from under the carpet?”
We use professional-grade moisture meters and thermal imaging to ensure everything is truly dry — not just on the surface but underneath as well.