Wet Interior

[cmelecci]

OK I'm an idiot. I left my F250 rear slider window open in a downpour. The rear seat and carpet is drenched. I vacuumed everything out with wet vac(in the rain!). Everything is still damp and windows fog up. The problem is, its still raining and I can't air out the interior. Any suggestions on how to dry it out? Does the carpet need to be removed? Thanx in advance and I accept/expect the ridicule Carl

[jim henderson]

If you can get it under cover or in a garage it will help.

You might try a carpet cleaner since their nozzles and vacuum capability is much stronger than a wet vac. This will pull more moisture out of the rug. Then you might put a small electric room heater inside to warm things up. If you can leave the windows open, even better. You could also use a fan to circulate the air. If you are in a garage or under cover, leave the doors open and have a fan blowing into it.

Whenever you drive turn the defroster on and high fan. Or use the AC on high fan. The key is you want the AC compressor to be running(to condense out the moisture) and you want air circulation.

I can't laugh, been there done that.

Jim Henderson

[cmelecci]

Thanx Jim,
My options are limited right now, the truck doesn't fit in my garage and we have a tropical storm coming ashore. It looks like rain for the next two days. Great idea using a carpet cleaner. Guess I'll continue vacuuming and soaking up with towels.
At this point I'm not sure if there is more water damage from the rain or my tears.
Thanx again
Carl
F250 SuperDummy

[kittyhawk]

Did the same thing about 6 weeks ago.
Pulled it in my father In laws grage ( when he out of town)
Pulled up the door gaurds Lifted carpet and put an old tupper ware bowl that I cut the bottom out of on the tranny hump and put my box fan on high for around 36 hours It dried it all out.

Hope this helps.
Now I always shut ALL my windows even when there is not a cloud in the sky.

Dave

[AegisSailor]

It happens to me all the time. Won't hurt nothing for a few days. Wait for the sun to come out and do it's magic.

[cmelecci]

Thanx again to everyone. I was able to remove rear seat and put it my garage to dry out via heat gun and fan. The carpet was lifted to dry under it, but strangely doesn't appear wet. I left some 1x1 lumber under sections of the carpet to allow it vent somewhat. I certainly do appreicate the input from everyone.
Carl

[Derek96f150]

rent and Rug Doctor or take it to a detail shop and get a shampoo. If that carpet stays wet long enough it is going to start to smell and then possibly start to rust your floor boards, however, thats if it is soaked badly.

[bandit]

Try running a Dehumidifyer in it for a day or two.If you have access to one that is.A little carpet fresh couldn't hurt after.