House flooded

[scabzzzz]

Definitely want to cut the drywall out so you can gain access to behind the wall to assess more damage.

You need fans. Lots of fans. Go to Walmart or some other major outlet and get a bunch of cheap fans. You dont want mold. Thats the goal.

[whterice]

Wow dude, slow your roll. I'm not questioning anything you said and frankly don't give a fuck. So, calm down. I suggested something, you got all uppity, it's cool. Let it go.

I wasnt saying it in a rude tone just that I have already stated in the post before yours on what IICRC S500 standards are for Water Damage Restoration.

Sorry if it came off in a rude tone. I am just offering advice so it is hopefully done the first time right then improper and having problems down the road.

Definitely want to cut the drywall out so you can gain access to behind the wall to assess more damage.

You need fans. Lots of fans. Go to Walmart or some other major outlet and get a bunch of cheap fans. You dont want mold. Thats the goal.

If you want to save money just call a local carpet cleaner and see if you can rent air movers from them. They will move a lot more air about 3000 cfm depending on the model of fan. You will need 1 airmover for ever 10 to 14 lineal feet around the perimeter of the room at a 45 degree angle pointed at the wall and have them face the same direction.

[Yakinho]

Had the same issue about two years ago. Had a drain outside the basement door clogged by leaves and it slowly filled the basement. Best thing to do is throw as many towels or fabric you dont care about on it, ring them out, repeat, and shop vac. Get some help from friends, you have to get that water out fast! Do you have a sump pump?

[Restoman]

Call your insurance company and tell them shit's gone downhill quick. Call Servpro in the morning. Get more drunk and find source or just pass out due to rage.

[u3b3rg33k]

Do they have sumps and drainage tiling in Godzone? Here, it's standard equipment.

[F34R]

Do you have gutters? If not invest in them, it sounds like when the house was built(new/old) they did not pack stone alone the side to allow drainage. This is caused mostly in the spring because the ground is still thawing and will not allow the rain to drain. So what you are getting is a pooling effect and it found a way into your downstairs.

The best thing to is the gutters and it is the cheapest also. Only other thing is a backhoe and get it done right. And if you have gutters get some extenders so it can get away from the house.

Advice from 13 years of construction.

[Ray Smoodiver]

Thank you all for your tips and help so far, they've been really good.

Right, today's update:

White mould rapidly spreading through the carpet underlay. I've removed all clothing / bedding / things of that nature, set all the furniture on the lawn and have fans running with all the doors and windows open.

Went and grabbed the biggest shop vac from work (roughly the size of an oil drum) but it's used for car interiors, so the suction end is only 3 inches across so getting all the water out of the carpet will be a nightmare - if not academic at this point due to the mould content of the underlay.

As far as I can tell there is no grey water, but have emailed all the neighbours to see how their sewerage lines fared during the storm, the council was in the motions of reaming out our shared drains as of Friday, but I am unsure this occurred.

Nothing of value has been lost except maybe my brothers high school art project, he'll have to decide when he gets back from Uni on Tue as to whether he tries to salvage it.

All rugs that got wet are hanging on the line, and all E30 related items under the house have been cleaned and set aside (ultra euro shit like Uberkaro cloth and black headliners)

Insurance company called and 100 photos sent to them to back a claim.

Haven't hacked into the drywall yet, that's the insurers call at this point.

Cheers once again for everyone's help!

[F34R]

You better hack into that shit, mold can cause HUGE amounts of damage and health issues. That drywall is done for when it was soaked. Cut 4' up and remove before it causes more damage to your house.

[Ray Smoodiver]

Do they have sumps and drainage tiling in Godzone? Here, it's standard equipment.

Do you have gutters? If not invest in them, it sounds like when the house was built(new/old) they did not pack stone alone the side to allow drainage. This is caused mostly in the spring because the ground is thawing and will not allow the rain build up to drain. So what you are getting is a pooling effect and it found a way into your downstairs.

House was build in 1891, I'm guessing they didn't have backhoes then :D

Sumps and drainage tiling for sure downunder, but not in an unrenovated house as old as this. Should we decide at some point to gut the fuck out of it, all these issues will be addressed, but I think we would be majorly over capitalising.

The lower level is carpet over underlay over lino over a concrete slab. Maybe look at tiling instead of carpet so if it repeats cleanup will simply be a case of mopping up?

[F34R]

House was build in 1891, I'm guessing they didn't have backhoes then :D

Sumps and drainage tiling for sure downunder, but not in an unrenovated house as old as this. Should we decide at some point to gut the fuck out of it, all these issues will be addressed, but I think we would be majorly over capitalising.

The lower level is carpet over underlay over lino over a concrete slab. Maybe look at tiling instead of carpet so if it repeats cleanup will simply be a case of mopping up?

They had shovels xD

Depends if the water is coming in from the walls or from the floor. If it is the walls then you are golden. When you seal the outside edge of the tiles against the wall use a silicone caulk to make sure no water seeps under the tiles and causes the mortar to pop. You will also need to prep the base floor with a sealer. Also ANY cracks, regardless of where the water is coming in the floor needs to be sealed. If not over time(depends on seepage and moistness) the tiles will pop loose.

I use Epoxy paint as a floor sealer, in your case I would ALSO use it for the walls. It should stop the issue dead aslong as the cracks are taken care of.

[whterice]

Thank you all for your tips and help so far, they've been really good.

Right, today's update:

White mould rapidly spreading through the carpet underlay. I've removed all clothing / bedding / things of that nature, set all the furniture on the lawn and have fans running with all the doors and windows open.

Went and grabbed the biggest shop vac from work (roughly the size of an oil drum) but it's used for car interiors, so the suction end is only 3 inches across so getting all the water out of the carpet will be a nightmare - if not academic at this point due to the mould content of the underlay.

As far as I can tell there is no grey water, but have emailed all the neighbours to see how their sewerage lines fared during the storm, the council was in the motions of reaming out our shared drains as of Friday, but I am unsure this occurred.

Nothing of value has been lost except maybe my brothers high school art project, he'll have to decide when he gets back from Uni on Tue as to whether he tries to salvage it.

All rugs that got wet are hanging on the line, and all E30 related items under the house have been cleaned and set aside (ultra euro shit like Uberkaro cloth and black headliners)

Insurance company called and 100 photos sent to them to back a claim.

Haven't hacked into the drywall yet, that's the insurers call at this point.

Cheers once again for everyone's help!

now the problem I see is you have the windows open when trying to dry. depending on the outside humidity you may not be helping the drying process just slowing it down.

Water turns to grey water after 48hrs it doesnt matter if it is considered clean water or not. It all comes down to bacterial growth.

For a vac you could go rent a rug doctor and it would do a better job of sucking up the water then your shop vac would do. Your insurance company should cover the costs of your rentals.

If you need any other info just message me I am a certified water restoration tech and mold tech and have over 2.5 years in the industry. Last year was possibly the worst flooding year we have ever had and we are expecting to have a bad year for flooding this year as the water table is quite high

[dirtysix]

You buy a house Sam? Where?

Did the water pond? If so how much/high?
Sounds like, if it was built 1891, it must have had a basement added. Villa?

[Ray Smoodiver]

Yep villa with all downstairs dodgily added (roof too low for bedroom use)

Got JAE in this afternoon, massive blowers under the carpets with dehumidifiers running full tit. Insurers in tomorrow.

These pointing in all directions:

now the problem I see is you have the windows open when trying to dry. depending on the outside humidity you may not be helping the drying process just slowing it down.

All rooms are totally sealed with fans as described pointing in between carpet and underlay layer.

[u3b3rg33k]

House was build in 1891, I'm guessing they didn't have backhoes then :D

Pretty sure they had these: