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Posted by Speedy Jim on August 22, 2005, 7:54 pm
drobbrown wrote:
> Hi there, hope you can help. I ma having building works done at the
> moment. side extension and dormer loft conversion at the same time.
>
> On Friday gone there was a heavy downpour and the felt at the back of
> the house was not long enough to reach the gutter and...we were woken
> at 7.30am to a flood of water coming into our bedroom from around the
> top of the window the soffits are joined to the window frame.
>
> It also 'ran down' and started coming in through the 'window frame' of
> the room directly below. There were also trickles coming down one side
> of the dining room about 8ft in.
>
> The builder says he doesn't want to 'waste time' going through the
> insurers because of loss adjusters taking time etc etc and will fix any
> problems.
>
> I have 2 questions.
>
> 1) Could the water have penetrated the gap in the cavity wall?
>
> 2) If so I appreciate that there are problems that I wouldn't se for
> now what should I do?
>
> 3) The carpet in the bedroom is still soaking and starting to smell
> mouldy, he has suggested getting a professional carpet cleaning company
> - a mate I am sure :-) . Will this allow the floorboards to dry out
> sufficiently?
>
> Hope someone can offer some advice.
>
> Thanks
>
> Dee
>
>
Personally, I think you are in for a very difficult time.
While it may be true that a single water damage incident
will dry out eventually and not leave mold growing,
you don't know that for sure in any given incident.
If water did get into the stud wall cavity (and I think
it likely), there could be a very long time period before
this dries out and mold colonies could be forming which
may blossom every time there is a rise in humidity.
Flooring is a special problem in itself. If the floor
really is "boards" these may dry without mold growing.
Of course, they may also warp.
If the floor is particle board or plywood, there could be
a real mold problem plus delamination.
The carpet at least can be cleaned or in the worst case
replaced.
What I fear most is that you won't know about some of
these developments until long after the tradesman has
departed the county. Then what?
You may want to enlist the aid of a lawyer *right now*
to ensure that your rights are protected.
A few links which may be of some general interest:
http://www.floodwaterdamage.com/aspergillus_mould.htm
http://www.moldcheck.com/MoldCleanUp.asp
http://www.molddamagecontrol.com/list.htm
http://www.moldinspector.com/mold_removal.htm
BTW, if you are in UK, suggest posting to this newsgroup:
UK.D-I-Y
Jim
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