Environment advice

[Rebjane]

Looking for some home owner advice/CF environment... BTW, my stress level is at an all time high; deep breath it could be worse(don't we always say that)

Last week, we had heavy rain, the next morning our living room ceiling was dripping water into the floor. Had a roofer come, pulled down all the sheetrock in the ceiling, all the insulation out(it was soaked), The wood on the ceiling is water damaged; I could not see obvious mold but I am far from an expert. Anyway, the room is a mess....Still not sure where the leak is likely we need to replace our roof, ceiling insulation, pieces of wood, anything damaged.....


My concern is #1 mold....How to tell if it is there? Should we hire a company to inspect it; would home owners pay for it? It is a health issue...

When would you feel comfortable having your CF child back in my houses.

We have been staying at my in MIL apartment; she rents a summer apartment also has a house elsewhere...I feel wierd about it. don't like depending on others, out of my element, ect.

The roof will not likely be done til spring because of the very cold environment we live in; putting on a new roof right now is NOT ideal.

THe kicker; this room is where Maggie does all her airway clearance.....

It needs to be a healthy room. We have another room downstairs, where she could do ACT
Once the other room is halfway liveable.aAHHHHHHH

What would you do??From a CF parent perspective?

Right now we are not letting Maggie in the house, only a few times to get toys from her room(her room is fine)

 

[Rebjane]

Looking for some home owner advice/CF environment... BTW, my stress level is at an all time high; deep breath it could be worse(don't we always say that)

Last week, we had heavy rain, the next morning our living room ceiling was dripping water into the floor. Had a roofer come, pulled down all the sheetrock in the ceiling, all the insulation out(it was soaked), The wood on the ceiling is water damaged; I could not see obvious mold but I am far from an expert. Anyway, the room is a mess....Still not sure where the leak is likely we need to replace our roof, ceiling insulation, pieces of wood, anything damaged.....


My concern is #1 mold....How to tell if it is there? Should we hire a company to inspect it; would home owners pay for it? It is a health issue...

When would you feel comfortable having your CF child back in my houses.

We have been staying at my in MIL apartment; she rents a summer apartment also has a house elsewhere...I feel wierd about it. don't like depending on others, out of my element, ect.

The roof will not likely be done til spring because of the very cold environment we live in; putting on a new roof right now is NOT ideal.

THe kicker; this room is where Maggie does all her airway clearance.....

It needs to be a healthy room. We have another room downstairs, where she could do ACT
Once the other room is halfway liveable.aAHHHHHHH

What would you do??From a CF parent perspective?

Right now we are not letting Maggie in the house, only a few times to get toys from her room(her room is fine)

 

[Rebjane]

Looking for some home owner advice/CF environment... BTW, my stress level is at an all time high; deep breath it could be worse(don't we always say that)
<br />
<br />Last week, we had heavy rain, the next morning our living room ceiling was dripping water into the floor. Had a roofer come, pulled down all the sheetrock in the ceiling, all the insulation out(it was soaked), The wood on the ceiling is water damaged; I could not see obvious mold but I am far from an expert. Anyway, the room is a mess....Still not sure where the leak is likely we need to replace our roof, ceiling insulation, pieces of wood, anything damaged.....
<br />
<br />
<br />My concern is #1 mold....How to tell if it is there? Should we hire a company to inspect it; would home owners pay for it? It is a health issue...
<br />
<br />When would you feel comfortable having your CF child back in my houses.
<br />
<br />We have been staying at my in MIL apartment; she rents a summer apartment also has a house elsewhere...I feel wierd about it. don't like depending on others, out of my element, ect.
<br />
<br />The roof will not likely be done til spring because of the very cold environment we live in; putting on a new roof right now is NOT ideal.
<br />
<br />THe kicker; this room is where Maggie does all her airway clearance.....
<br />
<br />It needs to be a healthy room. We have another room downstairs, where she could do ACT
<br />Once the other room is halfway liveable.aAHHHHHHH
<br />
<br />What would you do??From a CF parent perspective?
<br />
<br />Right now we are not letting Maggie in the house, only a few times to get toys from her room(her room is fine)

 

[Ratatosk]

Do you have a county extension service? Usually it's thru a university system. I'm thinking about our area and the advice they give out during flood season. I think usually when a basement has flooded -- usually due to nastiness and not clear water, the sheet rock is removed and the studs dried out, possibly sprayed with some sort of disinfectant or mildew inhibitor.

Our sump pump failed a few years ago over a weekend and we had wet carpet in our lower level which we had removed, then dried things out and replaced with laminate. Our insurance agent later told us we could've called a restoration company -- paul davis and had them come take care of everything as they've got heavy duty fans, etc.

I'm not sure I'd just contact a "mold" expert as sometimes those companies are a tad questionable. But IMO, I'd do a search on extension agencies or see if your insurance company can recommend a restoration type business or inspector.

 

[Ratatosk]

Do you have a county extension service? Usually it's thru a university system. I'm thinking about our area and the advice they give out during flood season. I think usually when a basement has flooded -- usually due to nastiness and not clear water, the sheet rock is removed and the studs dried out, possibly sprayed with some sort of disinfectant or mildew inhibitor.

Our sump pump failed a few years ago over a weekend and we had wet carpet in our lower level which we had removed, then dried things out and replaced with laminate. Our insurance agent later told us we could've called a restoration company -- paul davis and had them come take care of everything as they've got heavy duty fans, etc.

I'm not sure I'd just contact a "mold" expert as sometimes those companies are a tad questionable. But IMO, I'd do a search on extension agencies or see if your insurance company can recommend a restoration type business or inspector.

 

[Ratatosk]

Do you have a county extension service? Usually it's thru a university system. I'm thinking about our area and the advice they give out during flood season. I think usually when a basement has flooded -- usually due to nastiness and not clear water, the sheet rock is removed and the studs dried out, possibly sprayed with some sort of disinfectant or mildew inhibitor.
<br />
<br />Our sump pump failed a few years ago over a weekend and we had wet carpet in our lower level which we had removed, then dried things out and replaced with laminate. Our insurance agent later told us we could've called a restoration company -- paul davis and had them come take care of everything as they've got heavy duty fans, etc.
<br />
<br />I'm not sure I'd just contact a "mold" expert as sometimes those companies are a tad questionable. But IMO, I'd do a search on extension agencies or see if your insurance company can recommend a restoration type business or inspector.

 

[Rebjane]

Thanks Liza,

We have a homeowner's agent coming over today to look at the damage. My husband(who is much more laid back than me) will be meeting him at our house. I told my husband to ask the agent; who they recommend for mold , let him know our daughter has CF...I am sure this is old hat to the homeowner's insurance but to us, we have never had this happen before.

 

[Rebjane]

Thanks Liza,

We have a homeowner's agent coming over today to look at the damage. My husband(who is much more laid back than me) will be meeting him at our house. I told my husband to ask the agent; who they recommend for mold , let him know our daughter has CF...I am sure this is old hat to the homeowner's insurance but to us, we have never had this happen before.

 

[Rebjane]

Thanks Liza,
<br />
<br />We have a homeowner's agent coming over today to look at the damage. My husband(who is much more laid back than me) will be meeting him at our house. I told my husband to ask the agent; who they recommend for mold , let him know our daughter has CF...I am sure this is old hat to the homeowner's insurance but to us, we have never had this happen before.

 

[PatrickM]

I think the concern from mold is if the area stays wet the mold may grow. If it dries out with in a day or two the mold will probably not grow. I would take a spray bottle with bleach and water and spray around any area that looks water damaged. Get any wet insulation out and replace with dry insulation once the area is fully dried out. You might want to run a fan to help the drying process along. Mold gets to be a concern when the area is wet/damp for an extended period. That is what I was told anyway.
Tara

 

[PatrickM]

I think the concern from mold is if the area stays wet the mold may grow. If it dries out with in a day or two the mold will probably not grow. I would take a spray bottle with bleach and water and spray around any area that looks water damaged. Get any wet insulation out and replace with dry insulation once the area is fully dried out. You might want to run a fan to help the drying process along. Mold gets to be a concern when the area is wet/damp for an extended period. That is what I was told anyway.
Tara

 

[PatrickM]

I think the concern from mold is if the area stays wet the mold may grow. If it dries out with in a day or two the mold will probably not grow. I would take a spray bottle with bleach and water and spray around any area that looks water damaged. Get any wet insulation out and replace with dry insulation once the area is fully dried out. You might want to run a fan to help the drying process along. Mold gets to be a concern when the area is wet/damp for an extended period. That is what I was told anyway.
<br />Tara
<br />
<br />

 

[Mommafirst]

Oh gosh, what a nightmare!!!! I'd definitely see if you should bring in an expert on mold. Once it all dries out, if there isn't mold and the leak is fixed, you should be able to stay mold free. But I'd rely on an expert 's opinion versus mine!

I'd also call your CF social worker and see if there is anything they suggest you do. I know that they can get you waivers for required utility bills if you are in a bind and may be able to get information on how you should manage this from a CF safety perspective.

((((HUGS)))) That totally stinks. I hope your home owner's insurance covers everything and any expenses it will cost to be displaced.

 

[Mommafirst]

Oh gosh, what a nightmare!!!! I'd definitely see if you should bring in an expert on mold. Once it all dries out, if there isn't mold and the leak is fixed, you should be able to stay mold free. But I'd rely on an expert 's opinion versus mine!

I'd also call your CF social worker and see if there is anything they suggest you do. I know that they can get you waivers for required utility bills if you are in a bind and may be able to get information on how you should manage this from a CF safety perspective.

((((HUGS)))) That totally stinks. I hope your home owner's insurance covers everything and any expenses it will cost to be displaced.

 

[Mommafirst]

Oh gosh, what a nightmare!!!! I'd definitely see if you should bring in an expert on mold. Once it all dries out, if there isn't mold and the leak is fixed, you should be able to stay mold free. But I'd rely on an expert 's opinion versus mine!
<br />
<br />I'd also call your CF social worker and see if there is anything they suggest you do. I know that they can get you waivers for required utility bills if you are in a bind and may be able to get information on how you should manage this from a CF safety perspective.
<br />
<br />((((HUGS)))) That totally stinks. I hope your home owner's insurance covers everything and any expenses it will cost to be displaced.

 

[kitomd21]

We moved into our home about 3 years ago...after there was a plumbing leak from the second floor which spilled into the kitchen below. Terrible! The builder treated the affected wood with an disinfectant/fungicide just in case mold was going to be an issue. They argued that it was only a problem if the wood didn't dry out quickly, but we weren't taking any changes and fought to have it treated.

 

[kitomd21]

We moved into our home about 3 years ago...after there was a plumbing leak from the second floor which spilled into the kitchen below. Terrible! The builder treated the affected wood with an disinfectant/fungicide just in case mold was going to be an issue. They argued that it was only a problem if the wood didn't dry out quickly, but we weren't taking any changes and fought to have it treated.

 

[kitomd21]

We moved into our home about 3 years ago...after there was a plumbing leak from the second floor which spilled into the kitchen below. Terrible! The builder treated the affected wood with an disinfectant/fungicide just in case mold was going to be an issue. They argued that it was only a problem if the wood didn't dry out quickly, but we weren't taking any changes and fought to have it treated.
<br />

 

[bookworm]

Please, do not use bleach. It's very hard on the lungs. There is a product available that is non-toxic and very effective. It's called Concrobium. If you can stop the water coming in (through external temporary fix) and dry out the building materials quickly, then you can use the Concrobium rather than having to tear out things like wood. You can either spray it on, or you can get a fogger to fog the room area.

We had a leak and we dried things out carefully with a heater (be VERY careful about this and check it often - you don't want a fire), then applied a few different applications of concrobium on the framing lumber and walls (we had torn out the insultation drywall and vapour barrier and then replaced the old insulation, drywall and vapour barrier with new. It helps if you have someone who has a "nose" for mold. (Maybe a relative or friend who can always smell mildew/mold before anyone else can?) They can evaluate if the mold/mildew is gone on the walls/lumber, before you re-insulate, drywall, etc. by getting their nose right next to the dry, treated with concrobium materials.

Be careful when replacing drywall to avoid Chinese drywall (google that to see the issues) and you may want to investigate ecobat for insulation. It's free of formaldehyde binder (as Roxull and Fiberglass batt are not).

Whatever you put in the new construction, make sure you look at the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).

Also, there is roofing membrane that is rubber that you can put on your roof until spring to keep the leaks out. Your roofing contractor can help you with a temporary fix. We live in the frozen north and have given this to someone for a temporary fix in mid-winter.

Concrobium is great stuff to have around.<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.concrobium.com/">http://www.concrobium.com/</a> I've got really serious allergies and have not had problems with it.

 

[bookworm]

Please, do not use bleach. It's very hard on the lungs. There is a product available that is non-toxic and very effective. It's called Concrobium. If you can stop the water coming in (through external temporary fix) and dry out the building materials quickly, then you can use the Concrobium rather than having to tear out things like wood. You can either spray it on, or you can get a fogger to fog the room area.

We had a leak and we dried things out carefully with a heater (be VERY careful about this and check it often - you don't want a fire), then applied a few different applications of concrobium on the framing lumber and walls (we had torn out the insultation drywall and vapour barrier and then replaced the old insulation, drywall and vapour barrier with new. It helps if you have someone who has a "nose" for mold. (Maybe a relative or friend who can always smell mildew/mold before anyone else can?) They can evaluate if the mold/mildew is gone on the walls/lumber, before you re-insulate, drywall, etc. by getting their nose right next to the dry, treated with concrobium materials.

Be careful when replacing drywall to avoid Chinese drywall (google that to see the issues) and you may want to investigate ecobat for insulation. It's free of formaldehyde binder (as Roxull and Fiberglass batt are not).

Whatever you put in the new construction, make sure you look at the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).

Also, there is roofing membrane that is rubber that you can put on your roof until spring to keep the leaks out. Your roofing contractor can help you with a temporary fix. We live in the frozen north and have given this to someone for a temporary fix in mid-winter.

Concrobium is great stuff to have around.<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.concrobium.com/">http://www.concrobium.com/</a> I've got really serious allergies and have not had problems with it.