Is It Serious If a Car Is Flooded Up to the Carpet Level?
4 Answers
A car being flooded up to the carpet level is quite serious. Here is a detailed explanation of car water ingress situations: 1. Minor water ingress: A small amount of rainwater splashing in will not affect the car's wiring system or mechanical system, as the wiring system is protected by covers. Simply clean and dry the wet items. 2. Severe water ingress: Rainwater can enter the cabin, potentially causing malfunctions in electronic devices or rusting some components inside the cabin. Additionally, since the front passenger seat is close to the dashboard, electronic devices are likely to get wet when water enters the car. Even if the electronic devices are not damaged, the front passenger seat, floor mats, and other interior components may still get soaked.
I've run an auto repair shop for over a decade and handled numerous flood-damaged vehicles. Water reaching the carpet level is far more serious than most people realize! The sound insulation padding beneath the cabin absorbs water and develops alarming white mold growth when opened up. What's worse, electrical connectors under the chassis corrode quickly - within months you'll experience power window failures and seat adjustment malfunctions. The biggest headache comes from electronic control modules - like airbag computers typically hidden under carpets - which may suddenly trigger fault codes after water exposure. My professional advice? Address flood damage immediately: remove seats, dry carpets, and replace wiring harnesses on the same day, otherwise repair costs can easily double later.
Last week my car was submerged in a heavy rainstorm for half an hour, with water reaching just the floor mats. Initially I thought letting it dry for two days would suffice, but on the third day I noticed a sour smell and found wet mud under the seats. The repair shop removed the carpet and discovered the soundproofing material had disintegrated into crumbs, with rusty wire harness connectors. The mechanic said flood damage in this area requires complete disinfection—otherwise mold could cause coughing and allergies, and oxidized wiring might even lead to spontaneous combustion. Now I’m running a dryer on the interior daily, and the disassembly/reassembly alone cost over 2,000 RMB. Had I known, I would’ve towed it for immediate repairs.
When a vehicle is submerged to the level of the carpet, it is considered moderate flooding, with hazards categorized into three layers: physical layer includes rusting of seat frames and deformation of carpets; chemical layer involves corrosion of electrical connectors by dirty water; biological layer sees mold growth in standing water within three days. Key components to inspect are the seatbelt pretensioners (usually located below the B-pillar) and the OBD interface, as water ingress into these parts may trigger warning lights. It is recommended to immediately disconnect the battery, remove the seats and floor mats for rinsing and drying. If repairs are conducted at a dealership, remember to request replacement of wiring harness sleeves to prevent wire aging in three to four years.
