Rugs, Carpets and Carpeting - Soaked carpet need replacement/clean?

I had a water leak incident a few days ago and part of carpet (about 4 feet by 4 feet) in one room was soaked. Now that part of carpet seems to be dry but it has water stains and smells moldy.

Is there a way to kill molds without replacing the carpet? If I do replace carpet, instead of replacing the whole room, is there a way to replace that area only? What other things should I take care if I do the replacement myself? I have never done it before so any advice is appreciated.

I would get a professional carpet cleaning company in there to deal with it. They have the proper equipment to clean it and sanitize it.

The problems you're experiencing are most likely due to remaining moisture. The pad is a sponge and will hold water a long time. The carpet is attached to tack strip and can be removed easily. Pull the carpet back until you get past the effected area. Cut the old pad out and throw it away. If it's been wet long enough to start smelling and growing stuff, it's trashed. Mop up any standing water on the subfloor. Leaving the carpet folded back, with the backing exposed, put something under it that won't rust or stain the carpet, such as plastic milk crates. You're trying to get air apace between the layer of carpet that's laid back and the carpet that it's laying on that's still installed. Once you've established this air space, put a fan on it and let it run a couple days. As the water wicks to the surface, it will be blown away by the fan. Once you're confident all is now dry, swab the subfloor with bleach to kill any thing growing. If there is still an odor, paint the same surface with Kilz primer sealer to seal in any odors. Then get an antimicrobial spray and spray the back of the carpet to kill anything growing there. After all this is done, either call a carpet installer to put it back together, or check back here and we'll talk you through the re-install. Once it's re-installed, get the room professionally cleaned. They have equipment normally not available in home owner versions and can better deal with the stains. I have yet to see one not be able to get it out.

I pulled part of the carpet open and already cut that part of pad away. The subfloor is wet. I need to blow it to make the subfloor dry quicker, right?

==>Leaving the carpet folded back, with the backing exposed, put something under it that won't rust or stain the carpet, such as plastic milk crates. You're trying to get air apace between the layer of carpet that's laid back and the carpet that it's laying on that's still installed. Once you've established this air space, put a fan on it and let it run a couple days. As the water wicks to the surface, it will be blown away by the fan.<==

Is this for drying the carpet itself? I don't quite get the whole scheme here. My carpet is already fairly dry now and I have the stained part rolled back on the floor. I am thinking once the subfloor is dried up, I can add a plastic layer between my subfloor and the carpet and then wash the carpet several times. (I have a Hoover SteamVac carpet cleaner).

==>Once you're confident all is now dry, swab the subfloor with bleach to kill any thing growing. If there is still an odor, paint the same surface with Kilz primer sealer to seal in any odors. Then get an antimicrobial spray and spray the back of the carpet to kill anything growing there. After all this is done, either call a carpet installer to put it back together, or check back here and we'll talk you through the re-install. Once it's re-installed, get the room professionally cleaned. They have equipment normally not available in home owner versions and can better deal with the stains. I have yet to see one not be able to get it out.<==

Pulling carpet out was not that bad, hope the install part will OK too. Thanks!

The fan is to help the drying process. Place it in such a way as to get air under the pulled back carpet and also over the subfloor. If you can't accomplish this with one fan, use two. If you leave the two layers in contact with each other, the exposed backing may feel dry, but there is moisture between the layers and things will be growing. You need air between the layers and it needs to be moving. It's your floor and you're welcome to take the easy road if you like, but this advise comes from many years of experience. Your call.