A soaking wet Oriental rug has caused more than one heart to stop and with good reason. Water damaged Oriental rugs and carpets require prompt, careful handling by experts or they can suffer even greater damage.

The first thing you need to do is carefully remove the wet rug to the facilities of a reputable rug cleaning specialist. If this firm can also offer repair and appraisal service, so much the better. Above all, you should not try to restore the rug on location. Before rolling and transferring the rug, make a gentle but thorough extraction of the water. "Be especially careful if the rug has been immersed in water for more than two days," warns Joel Bernsen, president of Alan's Oriental Carpets in Memphis, Tenn. "The warp and weft can be weakened by prolonged exposure to water and the oils can be dried out of the wool."

Another major problem can be color bleeding and the transfer of dyes to the background of the rug. To prevent the migration of dyes, it can be helpful to apply a topical acetic acid or tannin solution to the surface of the rug and fringes. To further prevent dye transfer, place a sheet of polyethylene sheeting over the face of the rug before rolling it up for transport. "The rug should be cleaned as soon as possible and prior visual damage should be noted. For instance, if the rug has pre-existing damage such as pet stains, rot from house plants, furniture bleeding, tears, fading, cigarette burns or burns or from fireplace sparks, these should be noted because they affect the rug's value," says Bernsen.

Two other common by-products of water damage can also be hazards to Oriental rugs: mold and mildew." If a rug is exposed to dampness and moisture for a prolonged period, mold and mildew can occur," says Neeraj Gupta, ServiceMaster Director of Systems Development. "Mold and mildew can cause odor and dry rot. Dry rot can actually damage the rug fibers and require re-weaving. That is why it is essential to not only extract the rug but to dry the rug as well."

Gupta adds that the drying must be done carefully to avoid other complications. "What can happen during drying is that the rug can shrink," he explains." Since many Oriental rugs are made on hand looms, there can be different degrees of tension. When wet, the tension is released and this can lead to shrinkage, rippling, or curling. Drying the rug in a flat manner is the best way to avoid these problems."

Bernsen says the actual cleaning of antique and semi-antique rugs should always be done very carefully and by hand since further damage can be inflicted by over-cleaning. "Antique rugs can be restored if the damage is not too severe. Indeed, many antique rugs have been previously restored," continues Bernsen.

Bernsen says damage to Oriental rugs should be divided into two categories: damage to rugs up to 20 years old and damage to rugs older than 20 years. In the first group, a bill-of-sale is invaluable since there has not been a great change in the value of new rugs. The second group usually requires an expert appraiser to establish value, according to Bernsen. "The pre-damage value of antique rugs can vary as much as the value of art," Bernsen says." For example, a 4 ft. x 6 ft. Kazak rug circa 1880 can sell for $3,000 in excellent condition. Another rug of the same type, size, and age can be $30,000 because of design excellence, colors, and great beauty." Bernsen advises asking owners if they have a recent appraisal of the rug.

Bernsen says most Oriental rugs can be restored if the damage is not too severe."With village rugs such as Heriz, Serapi, and Oushaks reweaving up to one square foot can be done perfectly. If the weaver is a master, the repair will be almost impossible to find," he says. With fine city rugs such as Tabriz, Kashan, Kerman, and Sarouk, the weave is very fine and the repair becomes much more costly, according to Bernsen.

Regardless of what type of rug you are dealing with, Bernsen says the very nature of Oriental rugs presents a higher risk factor than with other textile floor coverings. He advises careful handling, hand cleaning, and making sure you choose a qualified and reputable company to perform cleaning and restoration. One way to find professionals you can trust, according to Bernsen, is to ask the advice of a member of the Oriental Rug Retailer's Association." Many times members of the ORRA are also appraisers. And they always know the most qualified restorers," he says.