Houston floods — hurricanes, tropical storms, flash floods, and burst pipes are a fact of life here, and rugs are often the first casualty. But a soaked rug isn't automatically a lost rug. In our Houston workshop, the Malik family dries, washes, and rebuilds water- and flood-damaged rugs by hand — and we'll tell you honestly what can be saved.
A wet rug is a race against time.
Within the first 24–72 hours, mildew and mold take hold, wet dyes bleed into one another, and the cotton foundation can begin to rot. The sooner a soaked rug is dried and cleaned the right way, the more of it we can save. Don't let it sit — bring it in or send us photos as soon as you can.
What we rescue
From a burst pipe to a full flood — handled by hand, the right way.
Emergency drying & extraction
Controlled drying that pulls the water out flat and slow — without the shrinking, warping, or fading a home fan or dryer can cause.
Full hand-wash & decontamination
A complete by-hand wash to flush out flood silt, bacteria, and contaminants — not just a surface dry.
Dye-bleed & color run
Treatment to lift and correct colors that have run where wet dyes migrated from one area into another.
Mildew, mold & odor
Removal and treatment of the mildew, mold, and musty smell that set in the moment a rug stays wet.
Foundation & dry-rot repair
Where flood water has rotted the foundation, our weavers rebuild and reweave the damaged structure by hand.
Insurance documentation
A written assessment of the rug's condition and value to support your insurance claim.
Water damage we handle
However the water got there, we've likely treated it.
How it works
Four steps, all by hand, all in Houston — and we move fast.
Assess fast
Bring it in or send photos right away. We assess what's salvageable and quote honestly — no false hope.
Controlled dry
We dry it the right way — slow and flat — to stop mildew and prevent shrinkage and warping.
Wash & treat
A full hand-wash plus dye-bleed, mildew, and odor treatment — flushing out everything the flood left behind.
Repair & return
Any rotted foundation or damaged pile rewoven by hand, then back to you — local pickup & delivery available.
Why bring it to Arteverk
- Speed when it counts. The sooner a wet rug reaches us, the more we can save — so we move fast and get it drying the right way before the damage sets in.
- By hand, by weavers. Three generations of the Malik family — drying, washing, and reweaving water-damaged rugs the way they were made to be handled, never machine-forced.
- Honest about what's salvageable. If flood water has rotted the foundation beyond repair or the dyes are truly gone, we'll tell you up front — no false hope, no wasted spend.
- Insurance support. We document the rug's condition and value so you can file your claim with confidence.
Flooded rug? Don't wait.
Free assessment, honest answers, fast hands.
Common questions
Can a flood-damaged rug really be saved?
Often, yes — especially if we reach it quickly. A soaked rug isn't automatically ruined, and many come back beautifully. But if it sat wet for a long time and the foundation has rotted, we'll tell you honestly what's possible rather than over-promise.
How fast do I need to act?
As fast as you can. Within the first day or two, mildew, dye bleed, and foundation rot begin to set in. Even just getting the rug dried correctly buys time — call us or email a few photos the moment you're able.
The rug got soaked in dirty flood water — is that a health risk?
It can be. Flood water often carries sewage and contaminants, so a flooded rug should be professionally cleaned and disinfected — not just dried out at home. We handle it safely and flush out what the flood left behind.
Can you help with my insurance claim?
Yes. We can provide a written assessment of the rug's condition and value to support your claim, so you have the documentation you need.
What does it cost?
It depends on the size, the material, and the extent of the damage, so we give a free assessment first. Bring the rug in or email a few photos and we'll tell you honestly what it needs.
Less urgent? See our rug cleaning and restoration services, or contact us for a free assessment.