Wet carpet is almost always immediately noticed as wet, whether you are wearing socks, shoes or barefoot. The source of the water will vary from a leak to an overflow or even an appliance that has malfunctioned.
Have you discovered wet carpet after descending your steps to a wet basement? Has a drain backed up damaging your valued floor covering? Anyone who has experienced this will attest to the inescapable conclusion that, “this is a bad thing”.
If wet carpets are discovered moments after the intrusion than chances are your situation is not as grim as those who stumble upon the same event after being away for a weeks’ vacation.