View Full Version : What to do? (and it's not the damned microwave)
McBp_2003
11-04-2003, 10:51 PM
My dad called me today, he said he woke up and the basement was flooded. It turns out some dummy installed a two dollar part wrong and the water leaked into the house, he fixed the part but...He's having trouble with the carpet. He's got it dry in some spots but this is rain water mixed with dirt and grime and stuff, he is going to steam clean the carpets fabreeze them and see what he can do. He asked what I thought of the situation. I said he ought to talk to the guy that sold him the house. He bought it just 6 months ago and the house was remodeled, I'm thinking that court is the last option if it is even an option but legally can the guy be held responsible? This is Wisconsin we're talking about.
I-RIGHT-I
11-05-2003, 07:21 AM
As a flood victim I can tell you this. The carpet and padding must be removed, the padding replaced and the carpet dried completely cleaned and laid again. That's not easy but there's no other way to do it.
Since the part was replaced and your dad didn't take a before and after picture to show that it was installed wrong he hasn't got much to work with. Best bet is to go to small claims court and sue for up to $5,000 for damages. The contractor will probably say that the part in question was faulty and not installed incorrectly which adds to the confusion.
If your dad is using the same part he needs to put it back the way it was, take a picture and then reinstall it the correct way, take a picture and get an avadavat from a plumber stating that the part was installed incorrectly. That's probably a slam dunk in small claims. I'm assuming the original contractor has been contacted and denied any responsibility.
Depending on how old the carpet is, it might need to be replaced totally. In any case, IRI is right, the pad absolutely must be replaced.
As tot he faulty part...if the home passed inspection, your Dad probably doen't have much legal grounds. Was there a home warranty or anything?
I fall else fails, his home owner insurance should cover it, if he wants to make a claim for something so small and risk his rates going up.
McBp_2003
11-07-2003, 12:00 AM
He got a big ass blower fan and it's drying the carpet, hope it works.
I-RIGHT-I
11-07-2003, 06:53 AM
He got a big ass blower fan and it's drying the carpet, hope it works.
When I got hit in San Antonio a few years ago I ended up with four inches of floodwater, not tapwater in my family room. The Room was about 30 X 12 all carpeted. I had three industrial carpet guy fans going blowing UNDER the carpet after the pad had been removed and thrown away. It took a week. Maybe your dad got lucky and it didn't soak the entire floor space. But if it did I don't think he's going to be happy with the results. I'd take the time to sue the plumber and get the money to do it right.
ponygurl
11-07-2003, 07:07 AM
He got a big ass blower fan and it's drying the carpet, hope it works.
Replace it. molds are very unhealthy.
He got a big ass blower fan and it's drying the carpet, hope it works.
It won't work.
ponygurl
11-07-2003, 07:43 AM
It won't work.
Nope.
tileman
11-07-2003, 01:55 PM
Pad at the very least has to go...........and not only the carpet cleaned and dryed, but the slab as well, prior to reinstalation. Talk to katsrdelicious....he's a carpet dude.....he'd know best here I think
Thank God for insurance...oh, wait...
He did have insurance...right? :o
tileman
11-07-2003, 02:45 PM
Thank God for insurance...oh, wait...
He did have insurance...right? :o
buying new pad and a good heater/blower would be less than they'd jack your rates..........bloodsuckers
buying new pad and a good heater/blower would be less than they'd jack your rates..........bloodsuckers
I've made homeowners claims before and they have never raised my rates. Maybe I'm with a good company?
Of course, the deductible was $500...but the damage was $10,000.00
Some turd forgot to turn off the water in a tub in a vacant house upstairs, no less.
You can imagine?
katsrdelicious
11-09-2003, 08:12 PM
It is not alway necessary to remove pad all the time. After first determining source of water has been stopped go to local capet cleaning supply distributor and get what is called a quatenary disinfectant. Mix in pump up pressure sprayer and generously apply to all infected surfaces. Allow it to sit for 15 to 30 minutes. This will allow disinfectant to penetrate all infected areas through osmosis.
Next, determine whether pad can be saved. Heavy pads of 8 lb density or more than 1/2 inch thickness should in all likelihood be removed because most people would not have the proper equiptment to extract it. Also determine whether the padding has a pourous or non-porous membrane by sqeezing it. If water comes out through the membrane ( the film on the top which most people mistakenly believe is a moisture barrier) then you might possibly be in good shape. If water does not penetrate out thorouh the top, Then you will have to remove pad.
Extract as much water as possible frome the top of carpet with a shop vac. Pull back carpet being careful not to rip seams. If carpet is held down by a tap down metal, carefully pry up just enough to unsecure carpet edge. If you cannot pull back carpet without breaking apart of a seam, locate seam, take a bic pen, run it through the nap and seperate to expose seem joint. CAREFULLY cut carpet at seam.
Once pad is exposed, use shop vac to again extract water from pad on surface. Then pull back pad and extract from back side. Remove as much moisture as possible.
Apply a light application of quat to affected areas. Position carpet in manner neccesary to dry. If using common household box fans, use common sense and position carpet and pad in a manner to maximize air flow over as much area as possible. You will in all likelihood have to check on periodic basis and adjust accordingly.
There are fans called air movers which can be rented. If you take the time to get one or two depending on the size of are infected. Lay carpet and pad in place tacking it at edges. Pull back corner and place snout under carpet and pad. Go to opposite corner and loosen carpet just slightly enough to allow a little venting. Make sure when carpet and pad lift up from the flow of the air mover, that all edges are secure and not flapping and the air mover is placed far enough under to get lift. Make sure intakes to air mover is not obstructed.
If in a basement it is sometimes necessary to get a dehumidifier if there is not enough room venting for moiture to escape. Periodicly spray quat in front of air source to maintain disinfectant throuhout drying process.
I assume once carpet is dry, next steps are no brainers.
You know, carpet is not that expensive....seems like it would be easier to just get some new carpet. ;)
McBp_2003
11-09-2003, 10:49 PM
You know, carpet is not that expensive....seems like it would be easier to just get some new carpet. ;)
Yeah, but the rainy day fund allready took a hit with the car. He has decided to buy brand new carpet though.
Yeah, but the rainy day fund allready took a hit with the car. He has decided to buy brand new carpet though.
"already"
Anyway, I'm sorry to hear that. It always happens like that, everything seems to happen at the same time. :(
McBp_2003
11-09-2003, 10:57 PM
"already"
Anyway, I'm sorry to hear that. It always happens like that, everything seems to happen at the same time. :(
Except picking the right lotto numbers and having a rich relative die and leave you all the money.
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