Replies

1. 
   AXE | Oct 23, 2003 11:50pm | #1

   You'll probably get more knowledgeable responses, but my feel is that you are getting screwed.

   Insulation losses most of it's value when it gets wet.  That should all be replaced.  Drywall also generally doesn't survive getting wet.  It turns mushy and will probably start sagging (on the ceiling).

   Sounds like it's time to call a lawyer.  Hopefully you haven't screwed yourself by allowing him to do some work already.  It may be construed as a binding agreement and settlement of the issue.

   Good luck with this one.  MERC

1. 
   SunnySlopes | Oct 24, 2003 12:36am | #2

   Open the walls and ceiling and remove all damaged insulation.  Allow ample time for cavities to dry out and insulate with new.  Re-rock ceilings and walls, tape/compound/paint and be done with it.  As for the builder,  he wants to get out of this in the cheapest way possible without any regard for you or your home. "One measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions"

2. 
   SamT | Oct 24, 2003 12:51am | #3

   Two words: Mold litigation

   SamT

   "You will do me the justice to remember that I have always strenuously supported the right of every man to his opinion, however different that opinion may be to mine. He who denies to another this right, makes a slave of himself to his present opinion, because he precludes himself the right of changing it."   Thomas Paine

3. 
   RW | Oct 24, 2003 01:06am | #4

   I do repairs on that kind of thing all of the time. The politest I can be with your builder in mind is the guy is either just plain stupid or trying to stick it to you. The only realistic fix given the amount of water you've had and todays concerns (and legitimately so) over mold, is to gut the affected area. Typically, everything damaged comes out, and most of the time it's easy to spot. Mold doesn't take long to get started. The back of baseboards tends to be a good and easy spot for infestations to start. The gutted room dries with help of fans, humidity meters measure when the MC is down in the wood. Then we treat the studs with mildecide to kill off anything else that might still be there, then insulate, rock, paint, trim all over again.

   "The child is grown / The dream is gone / And I have become / Comfortably numb "      lyrics by Roger Waters

4. 
   rjw | Oct 24, 2003 03:53am | #5

   Like the others said.

   I'm very concerned about future damage and/or mold due to residual moisture in the walls and ceiling, especially the insulation.  3 questions:  1. are my concerns founded?, 2. is there a way to check for moisture without removing the drywall?, and 3. if there is moisture, is there a way to remove it without removing the drywall and insulation and replacing?

   If there is damage/mold growth, it's already happened

   Check out what the EPA says, especially the floods and flooding page.

   http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/moldresources.html

   There are moisture meters which can read below surfaces -call around to local home inspectors, particularly those who do EIFS inspections.  Be wary of those who do "mold inspections."  IMO, a mold inspection should only be done by someone with a heck of a lot more training than the 2-3 day instant wonder course offered to HI's.  (There are a few HI's who are well trained and know what they are doing re mold, but in my opinion, any HI who does "mold testing" based on some quicky course should be by-passed!)

   But you don't need to know if there's moisture in there now - it only takes a few days for mold to grow sufficiently to cause problems.

   _______________________

   Albert Einstein said it best:

   “Problems,” he said, “cannot be solved at the same level of consciousness that created them.”

   Your mileage may vary ....