Water damage-no insurance!!

17 years ago

There was a leak in the kitchen, and the dining room carpet got flooded. Unfortunately, it didn't get dealt with and its been a few days, and its smelling. The carpet has water stain, and I guess that will have to be replaced. And, the padding underneath has also to go. But, what can I do about the wood beneath all that? Is it enough to just throw away the carpet and padding, and use fans and dehumdifiers to dry everything else? Is it already too late? I would go to a real professional, but its going to be too expensive. I'm reading about how professionals will drill holes into the wall, but would that be necessary in this situation? Enough water leaked so that water fell into the garage, which is located underneath the dining room.

And, since the kitchen was all tiles, I don't have to worry about that since its not carpet, right? Pretty please...

Its a condo, and I'm pretty sure the association fees will not cover this type of damage.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

marvelousmarvin
Original Author
17 years ago
The leak occured because there was a leak connecting the hose to the washing machine in the kitchen, so I'm assuming this means the water was clean.

I'd be eternally grateful for any help in this situation.
galore2112
17 years ago
Stop panicking.

It apparently was not a catastrophic, muddy flood. Just a fresh water leak. A short one at that.

The carpet and the pad will dry out in time. The stain can be cleaned. Mold is only an issue, if the water leak is a persistent one, for example a slow leak that you don't detect for months or a leaky roof that drenches the wall cavity regularly etc.

I would just wait a few weeks and let it dry out by itself. Then rent a shampoo vacuum and clean the carpet.
Related Discussions
Home Insurance Question
Q
Comments (19)
I understand the frustration, I have been a homeowner and I insure my entire family. What I am saying is save it for the big ones. There is another post out there regarding homeowners insurance and a leak from the ice maker. $20-25k in damages, that's what it's for. Yes it's also for the new roof if its damaged in a storm. What I see and ask my insurers to avoid is the small petty claims. The other day I had someone here and had to tell them no. In less than one year they had a water claim for $6800, a wind claim for $427 and a theft claim for $800. Now of the three, most definately agree with the big water claim. Wind happens, in this case it was a tree branch, why couldn't they pay that and the theft claim, $800 and by their own admission probably someone they knew. Point here, if they has assumed the risk and loss on the smaller stuff they wouldn't have been dropped. The other two just killed them. The $1227 dollars they got from the insurance company, no doubt will go towards increased premiums for the next 3 years and more than likely they will end up in a state insurance pool. Would you insure that? I know the mold issue is a big one. I can't say as I have had allot of experience with that one as we don't have a big issue with it here in IL. More than likely things will settle down in this market, they usually do. All I am suggesting for now is to use your insurance wisely. There are allot of companies getting out of the homeowners business, their getting out because they are losing money at it.
...See More
let's talk about insurance against water damage
Q
Comments (4)
Totally agree about everything posted. 1st) Flood insurance usually states they will not cover you in a situation it is deemed an act of God. So, pretty much that only means a pipe bursting. If there is an actual flood that damages your house or a hurricane, well, that's an act of God and you're not covered. I didn't know that until I heard many of those in Louisiana who paid for flood insurance went to cash in, and found out it doesn't cover an actual flood or hurricane, those are acts of God. Kind of takes the wind out of flood insurance. Do like DavidAndKasie say, and make sure it specifically stipulates you're covered even if it's an act of God if you get it. 2nd) Read Devorah's post, carefully. Before I bought my house, my mortgage person first thing said, "Give me the address, let's check to see if the previous owners took a claim on water damage. If they did, you won't be able to get a mortgage for that house". Once you cash in on water damage, now the insurance company usually will drop you, you will have a very hard time trying to pick up someone else as you're now marked, and you will have a hard time trying to sell your house as you'll have to find someone who's mortgage company will actually let someone buy a house that's claimed water damage. Insurance companies are afraid you've created a mold/mildew issue and they don't want to risk the medical repurcussions of the individual(s) or anyone moving into that house who gets sick. In my opinion, flood insurance is a hoax. If you win the fight, you've lost the war as now you're marked as a potential health risk from then on, your house is flagged as a safety risk, anyone buying your house from then on will have a hard time trying to purchase it, and you will have a hard time trying to find a mortgage company to back you. Better off just paying for the damage out of pocket and keep your insurance out of it. A guy at work is convinced you can't even call up your insurance company and ask them about water damage. He said he had a pipe burst in his house and called up his insurance company. They got his name, and account, and then all he wanted was an honest answer from them if it was just better he take the hit or have a claim. After discussing it with other people at work, everyone was like, DO NOT get the insurance company involved or have a claim. Well, a month later his insurance company cancelled his insurance without reason and sent him a check for the remaining balance. Think it was coincidence? So, that's how I understand it. You have to take what I say with a grain of salt as it's all what others have told me but no actual proof or backing.
...See More
remodeling nightmare
Q
Comments (10)
alexia10, it sounds like you bought an old house. Well okay, the house is giving you fits, but there are probably some really good bones in your house. Old growth wood is a thing of beauty. As for the insurance company, in Texas you can complain to the state board of insurance. It is amazing how fast our insurance company stepped up to the plate after we complained to the board. pinch me is right, stop being so nice. Here is what I have found, after we had to be our own gc (our gc was incompetent), we use only subs who do work without any money upfront. We will pay them for materials or buy the materials. What we have found is that it is a pride thing with the ethical guys, they want to finish or be close to finishing before they accept any payments. Or they will work on a payment plan where they get so much after a certain stage. For our electrician, plumber and HVAC this is how it worked and we gladly payed them at their contracted points. The ones we don't trust are the fast talkers who want lots of money up front. Oh and I stopped being nice, except for the people who are ethical and honest. For them, I will sing their praises to anyone who will listen. Good luck and know that it will all work out.
...See More
Water damage in new house discovered at possession :(
Q
Comments (29)
I am so sorry you're having to go thru this. We are redoing our kitchen due to a leak - FWIW, we had the insurance pay out what it would have cost to put it back "exactly the way it was", while it was somewhat a pain to have to quote stripping and replacing wallpaper and rebuilding up the floor to the original height, this allowed us to take that money and our own funds and gut the kitchen and do it the way we wanted. Yes unplanned remodel has been a huge inconvienence and unplanned expense - but it also allowed us to remodel the way we wanted and for quite a bit less of our own money than if we had done it later. Something to think about. I'd also highly recommend getting your own contractor you trust - dont use their people unless you feel 100% comfortable with them. Have your contractor quote what it would be to put it back the way it was - have the insurance pay you out and then decide what you really want to do. Have the contractor quote it out Firm Fixed Price (FFP) for the insurance. It really sounds like you should also fight to have the cabinets declared a complete loss -- uppers and lowers due to the mold and moisture - likely less expensive too to replace with new rather than having something custom made to match the existing. if the cabs need to come out to ensure it gets dry (likely if they were in contact with the wet floor -- water seeps up boxes and damages them - then they need to take the counter out too and are likely to replace that as well. Good Luck!
...See More
spiritual_gardner
17 years ago
My basement flooded in June (14 inches of rain).

Anyway, I saved my wall to wall carpet (lost the pad)by running two fans and a dehumidifier for two weeks straight. You can let it dry by itself, but I think you are taking a chance on mold setting in and becoming a serious issue.

Perhaps you should call a few flooring companies and get their advice?

Good luck!

SG
marvelousmarvin
Original Author
17 years ago
I think I'm freaked out because I did call a few companies, and their advice and procedures just blew me away. From what I got, this type of stuff should by handled by the insurance I don't have because it can be so expensive and complicated. The water damage companies were talking about drilling holes, and putting special wires or something throught the holes to suck up moisture. And, they were talking about special moisture detection instruments. Obviously, they couldn't tell me the price over the phone without having seen the damage, but ther ballpark estimates were just incredibly expensive.

I think the carpet can be saved, but the padding needs to be replaced. But, I'm concerned about moisture that seeped through the padding to the wood below the padding.

And, about renting a dehumidifier, why not just buy one from Target or something?
margenorman
17 years ago
In our office reception room the aquarium sprang a leak over the weekend a month ago. My husband who is an Industrial Hygienist and is called in to handle mold, mildew,etc.in an industrial setting, immediately got some big fans, an industrial dehumidifier, and lifted up the edges of the carpeting so it could dry. It was still attached though. We sponged up what we could. Later we had to make a hole in the wall which had to be replastered and repainted. There is no smell even though it was aquarium water, and you can't tell where it happened.
Are you sure you don't have homeowners insurance? Are you a tenant? Most mortgage holders will require homeowners insurance.
By the way the Dehumidifiers at Target are not the big ones we used. I was amazed at how much water they sucked up, even after two days.
davidandkasie
17 years ago
home owners insurance won't cover a leak from a poor connection on a hose, MAYBE if the pipe itself leaked, but not the hose. most have a exclusion for this.
brownthumbia
17 years ago
WEll, before I started ripping up carpet and padding I think I would use either a shop vac or a rug shampooer. They can get a lot of moisture out of the carpet. Then with fans going you may be able to solve this problem with a lot less trouble. I don't promise this would work but it may be worth a try. Best of luck!!!
dgmarie
17 years ago
I second the advice to borrow/rent a carpet shampoo machine and use it suck the water out of the carpet. You will be amazed how well that will work.

Water damage-no insurance!!

Comments (8)

marvelousmarvin
Original Author

galore2112

Related Discussions

spiritual_gardner

marvelousmarvin
Original Author

margenorman

davidandkasie

brownthumbia

dgmarie

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Water damage-no insurance!!

Comments (8)

marvelousmarvinOriginal Author

galore2112

Related Discussions

spiritual_gardner

marvelousmarvinOriginal Author

margenorman

davidandkasie

brownthumbia

dgmarie

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

marvelousmarvin
Original Author

marvelousmarvin
Original Author