Thanks, all.
I don't mind vaccing the whole thing, but wanted to avoid the water waste and was concerned about the snow globe effect. I appreciate the insights.
Special thanks to @nknauss for the most unhelpful and, sadly, archetypal "old timer to newbie" response. Appreciate that, brah. Glad you've found a place where you're tolerated. Apologies in advance if I squeeze a question by you once in a while.