What to Do When Water Gets Under the Car Floor Mats?
2 Answers
To address water accumulation under the car floor mats, you can start by removing the soaked carpets or mats and then clearing out any remaining water inside the vehicle. There are several rubber seals at the bottom of the vehicle's chassis; opening these seals can help drain the accumulated water from the cabin. However, since the interior floor mats are highly absorbent, they should be removed and placed in a spacious area to facilitate water evaporation. If the water ingress is not severe, after removing the water, simply open the car windows on a sunny day to allow thorough drying. You can park the car in a sunny spot, leave the doors open for drying, or adjust the vehicle's air circulation system to internal circulation to expel moisture from the cabin through the air conditioning system.
I was quite anxious the last time I encountered this situation. If the floor mats get wet, you need to deal with it immediately. First, find a safe place to park and use a towel to soak up the water. If water seeps under the carpet, it can be troublesome—leading to mold and even short circuits in the wiring. It's best to remove the seats and check the sealing strips on the car's chassis. Most likely, the window wasn’t closed properly or the sunroof drain is clogged. Remember to wear gloves when cleaning the drain pipes, as they’re full of dirt. If all else fails, take it to a repair shop to use professional drying equipment—using a hairdryer yourself won’t be very effective. When washing the car, pay attention to the door seals, and avoid parking in low-lying areas during rainy days. After handling it, remember to ventilate the car by opening the windows for a couple of days to get rid of the odor.
