Major Water Damage/Mold

[Guest]

Hi Everyone,

 

We're renting a brand new house (just built this year) and one of the water pipes broke today leaving my bathrooms, hallway, laundry room, and master bedroom totally flooded. I'm really worried about mold. My landlord's been up here as he had to shut the water off outside. He's used the wet vac, and I borrowed two heavy duty fans from the school that I teach at. The janitor said it will dry the carpet in 3 hours. Underneath the carpet there's concrete and then a pad. I'm worried about the padding not drying fast enough and then having mold problems.

 

I've suggested a couple times that we pull a corner up of the carpet and float the carpet (also told him I'm allergic to mold), but he doesn't seem to think it needs it. I've thought about pulling the carpet corner up myself and floating the carpet because a friend said it's not hard to do. However, my landlord's wife is in my house on a daily basis (weekdays) because she babysits my son. We had to float my carpet at my old house back in May due to the water heater breaking, so I've seen it done. The guy that floated my carpet said that you'll know that you have a mold problem because in 3 days it will smell like a cat peed all over.

 

So if anyone's had any water damage, what are your opinions about this? Do you think I'm at risk for a mold problem? I guess I just thought my landlord would consider floating the carpet especially since it's a just built house.

[Chemar]

Hi carolyn

 

yes I agree with you that they need to float the carpet.

 

we had water damage in 2004 when those 4 hurricanes in a row hit our area, and were told that it was imperative to ensure proper drying under the carpet. Your landlord needs to do what is right for you and your son's health!If mold begin to grow he will have much more expense and will also face legal issues so better he take care of things correctly from the start!

[Guest]

Thanks Chemar,

 

I ended up disobeying my landlord after him saying no twice and started floating my carpet this morning because it smelled. I hope that I'm not too late. It wasn't difficult....I just lifted up the corner in two different rooms and floated it with a strong fan and a plastic bowl. I'm going to go get one more fan from the school and lift up one other spot in the room (it's a large room.

 

Carolyn

[CSP]

Carolyn,

 

If you have dried everything, and the carpet did not sit long wet you sould be OK and have no mold growing. don't forget to sprinkle the carpet with baking soda after it is all dried to get out any smell.