Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Cement won't dry after a huge leaking problem

Hi!

First time here, and as I guess a lot of people are, I need help and advice.

I'm not sure that this is the right place to post this thread, if not, please excuse my ignorance and feel free to move the thread to the right place.

My problem:

I had a huge leaking problem (have no idea for how long, but probably something like a month or so), from the boiler. All the water was running underneath the solid wood flooring in my house. Of course after a while the woods started to swollen and started to bumping out.

So after a long time, my landlady decided that something needs to be done. She called a guy who took out the wooden boards and left the house on the cement, which needs of course to dry before he can put the wood back on.

The real problem:

The cement simply won't dry. What I suspect is that the water has gone, so deep into the cement, and whenever I mup the floor the water comes up again after 15-30 minutes.

My question:

Do you have any idea on how long will this go on? I mean will it take weeks? days? hours? (It's already for 15 hours).
Is there a way to dry off the cement more rapidily? Some way of taking out the water sooner?

Any help would be very much appreciated. :)

Note that I live in London (and have no idea if this forum is international, usa, uk or wherever). :)

Nikolas

You could try a dehumidifier. That may speed up the process.

If you are getting enough water to have to mop it up, it has probably pooled somewhere and is merely running out slowly onto the floor. I have never seen contrete absor enough water to do anything but continue to be damp.

You may also have a leak that you were not aware of. Do water filled pipes go through the concrete? You may have a pipe that has corroded through and is leaking. The concrete acts as the pipe but doesn't seal with the actual pipe. In a low pressure situation (such as heating system), this can cause what you describe.

Other than that and what the previous poster suggested, if you do not, cannot use a dehumidifier, make sure you have flowing ventilation that actually allows the moist air to leave the room. Fans will help as well.

I would try fans and a dehumidifier. It could take awhile but you might as well start. 15hours is not much time for cement to dry indoors. Also will depend on saturation of the fill under the cement.

Thank you guys.

Actually my landlady came (after I almost threatened her :D ), with her husband, as I got them worried.

I turns out that there was a small-ish leak from the tubes connected in the washer/dryer (they were disconnected to take out the floor, and now the washer/dryer is connected, so it's not leaking anymore.

Also after the little talk I had with my landlady, she went straight on and got us a dehumidifier.

Everything seems to be working out now rather well. I'll leave it open for a couple of days and hopefull the cement will dry.

I honestly appreciate all your help :)

I will sure give the link to this forum to anybody in need.

Nikolas

Personally I'd wait at least a month, if not two months before i even thought about putting wood back over the concrete, or it may cup or buckle, too.

The concrete needs to be tested for concrete humidity, making sure it is within acceptable levels.

WOW... That I didn't know.

Basically my wife is an architect so she got ourself a small gizmo which is a damp detector, but of course it only measuers the surface. The sampness seems to be gone from everywhere... :/

I don't know what to say for this. I realy suspect that this is the correct way to go, but indeed how can I live in a naked concrete floor for 2 months? Or how can I claim 2 months of hotel from my landlady? Dunno... The thing is that the workers here just want to get the job done... without caring really. And I'm a composer, there's no way to contradict his sayings, and don't really want to bring him in front of a second opinion (which actually is not my job really as I'm the tenant...)

Well, I don't know... The best is to just let things flow as they do, and with the slightest crack or swollen on the floor, to just demand rents back and ask for hotel accomodation until another house can be found. It will be a big hassle with 2 children (2 and 6 months old), but I really don't see another solution.

Thanks guys, once more

Not to mention the mold growth from the moisture not let to escape, properly!!