Basement Flooding. Replace Padding?

[RenegadeEngr]

Alright, so I live in a townhouse in which there are 4 units with a walk-out basement. 3 of the units, including mine, got water in the basement from the sliding door because of the large amount of snow outside. The management company had a service come out to take care of this. They hastily moved most of the stuff out of my roommate's room and sucked the water out of the carpet, setup two squirrel cage fans and a large dehumidifier. These guys definately weren't the brighest and our unit kept blowing breakers due to the large amount of eletricity the needed. Hell, we had two ligh fixtures start smoking. To my knowledge they never pulled up the carpet or did anything with the padding. In my experience they pull of the carpet, pull out the padding and let the squirrel cage fans dry it from underneath. These guys left their stuff here for like 6 days and when they came back damaged the blinds and my roommates stuff moving it all back in. I'm quite displeased because I have heard that the padding needs to replaced to eliminate mold growth and I tend to think this may be a violation. I need some advice.....I feel like they did a low cost, cookie cutter job...

 

[Junkman]

If you own the townhouse, then call your homeowners insurance company. If you rent, there isn't much that you can do except to keep complaining. If mold starts to grow, then see an attorney about breaking the lease. Once carpet gets wet, it is very difficult to remove the water to a point where the carpet will dry without mold becoming an issue. Mold is a health issue, so you should report this to the management company ASAP.

 

[RenegadeEngr]

It would seem that with all the health problems attributed to this stuff that it would be a state or city code to ensure these problems never occur, does anybody know if states do indeed have these regulations?

 

[Junkman]

It would seem that with all the health problems attributed to this stuff that it would be a state or city code to ensure these problems never occur, does anybody know if states do indeed have these regulations?

How did you ever get a engineering degree? Call the town and ask them the questions you have asked here. I have tried to help you, but you have to do more than sit behind a keyboard and type.

 

[RenegadeEngr]

How did you ever get a engineering degree? Call the town and ask them the questions you have asked here. I have tried to help you, but you have to do more than sit behind a keyboard and type.

I was actually looking for someone with a more technical approach to this. Your opinion was pretty close to common sense. Sometimes it's easier if someone knows what agency in the city to start with.

 

[russlaferrera]

I was actually looking for someone with a more technical approach to this. Your opinion was pretty close to common sense. Sometimes it's easier if someone knows what agency in the city to start with.

It's a Health issue...Try the Health Department!

 

[thammel]

Whenever I've had a flooded or soaked carpet, the insurance company has always ripped it out and replaced the pad and carpet. My confidence in getting all the water out is extremely low. Also, from where the water came in, it wasn't clean, therefore everything should have at least been cleaned. It sounds like you're getting treated poorly.

Tom

 

[pwm72]

Just faced this issue last summer. My 1000sq ft finished basement flooded due to a sump pump malfunction. Insurance had the company come out to remediate. They removed the baseboard, drilled holes in the drywall every 6" or so, immediately removed and discarded the pad. They set up at least 8 blowers and four of the big dehumidifiers for 6 days. The blowers were blowing under the carpet to dry it as well as directed at the holes drilled into the drywall. They came twice a day with moisture meters to measure the moisture in the sill plates and studs and rearrange the equipment. Once dried, they deemed the carpet a total loss (pad was thrown away immediately). Insurance also paid to have the drywall cut out 14" from the floor and repaired, painted the entire room and replaced the various pieces of furniture damages by the moisture. After only 1 week and after the heavy duty drying process you could see the mold already starting to form on the drywall which is why they called for the replacement. Mold is definitely a factor you should be concerned with.

 

[boiler7904]

The padding should definitely be replaced. It's most likely foam which is inorganic and won't breed mold, but any dirt that has accumulated on the padding over time could eventually grow mold. The padding will never completely dry since it doesn't get good airflow around it. The carpet needs to go too. Same goes for anything else that is made of natural, porous materials that can't get thoroughly washed and dried.

Take a look at this flier put together by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

If you haven't already, it's time to get your renter's insurance agent on the phone to see what your options are. They'll want a company like Service Master or ServPro to come in and do a variety of things. As odd as it sounds for winter in Iowa, dehumidifers are probably needed to help dry the air.

Unfortunately, this won't be the last time this happens unless the door is repaired or replaced too.

 

[The Super]

A caution on calling your insurance company.

A single water claim can result in your insurance being dropped or your premium drastically increased. The claim will also sit on the clue report for your home and will be a problem for anyone who later may want to purchase the home.

Calling your agent and asking for questions can often have the same effect as actually filing a claim.

Before you even talk to your insurance agent, be certain you have a very large claim.

 

[rburke65]

The carpet cleaning co. that we use regularly,came out to **** up the water from a leaking hot water tank. Trashed the padding, lifted the carpet, set up blowers, and the dehumidifiers. Came back, new pad, relaid carpet, and sprayed with a solution to kill any residual mold spores, and prevent future growth. All is well. So a carpet cleaner might be of some help.