Walls and Ceilings - leak damges/stained cieling

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View Full Version : leak damges/stained cieling


Squid
01-10-08, 10:41 AM
Ok, So leak has damaged my Dinnig rm cieling. To this day, about 5 now, it still drips from the insulation, I can only presume.
The roof from where it was occurring has been replaced but the access to insulation in the cieling is only through the drywall. My questions are:
It wont dry unless I remove the wet fiberglass insulation, correct and have it replaced, correct?
I must cut out the drywall to access the insulation, correct? There is no other access
If I dont, the chances of mold are not worth taking, correct?
The roofer is responsible as the roof is under warranty, so I am thinking of going by way of insurance for the repar, which looks like like a new cieling.
I doubt repair work will match the ceiling, its 40 years old.


marksr
01-10-08, 12:22 PM
A pro drywall finisher should be able to match the texture, the whole ceiling will probably need to be painted.

The wet insulation needs to be removed! If unaccessable from above you will need to remove at least a portion of the drywall. Drywall can sustain a little moisture but not prolonged moisture.

I assume you have already cut small holes in an attempt to remove the moisture.

Squid
01-10-08, 12:57 PM
Yes I have 2 to be precise to allow the seeping out of the water, but its been slow. Would a couple of more speed things up? Cant see the harm if its going to be re-done


marksr
01-10-08, 01:53 PM
Assuming 2 were enough for the area involved, I doubt any more drain holes would help after 5 days. I'd cut out enough drywall to give you access to pull out all that is wet.

It would be nice to talk to the insurance adjuster first. That way they can't say you caused more damage for them to fix.

mitch17
01-10-08, 07:52 PM
As long as you're committed to tearing out and replacing the rock and insulation, a couple extra days isn't going to hurt anything, so I'd talk to the adjuster first as well.

hawaiimold
01-10-08, 08:22 PM
Does anyone in your house have allergies, or a compromised immune system?

If you have saturated material that has stayed wet for 5+ days you are likely to have mold growth on/in the drywall and perhaps in the insulation. If organic material was washed into the insulation or the insulation paper has paper backing, this will provide growth media for mold?

How is the humidity in your attic or roof cavity?

Mold will begin to germinate at approximately 24 hours, assuming 100% humidity or saturation, assuming the temperature is around 70 degrees.

do a search for mold + isopleth to see average germination or growth rates for various levels of moisture, and temperature ranges.

Your response to that can vary depending on the health of the house occupants, but even healthy occupants can become sensitized after exposure to mold.

Where you have saturation you have a very narrow window to do drying. Once you pass that window, you will have mold.

Is there any way to pressure the adjuster to get out to your house faster?

Squid
01-11-08, 08:33 AM
Excellent
Thanks to all.