Using a water extraction company versus gutting the interior

Kivaro

I had a serious water break in the attic, which resulted in water saturation on all of the walls and ceilings (some worse than others) of a new timber frame house. I am abroad at the moment. The assessor said that everything needed to be gutted i.e. all ceilings, walls, tiled walled, doors, insulation, wooden floors etc.

Yesterday for the hell of it, my friend had a specialized water damage company examine the house and they said that they can save all the plasterboard using water extraction equipment and dehumidifiers. They said that it is a scientific process, where the plasterboard would be successfully dried out with only a stain remaining. They said that the plasterboard would be as hard as it was before.

My fear is what would happen 6 months down the road: would tiles start popping, cracks start appearing. They say in their website that the process should to be started within 48 hours to contain the damage; however a good 3 weeks has passed since the incident (due to the insurance company), so the damage has been compounded.

Has anyone experience with these types of companies? It would definitely mean less pain and less expense to go with their solution, versus the alternative.

eoghan.geraghty

I was in the infamous waterways estate in Sallins just after the recent flooding there and was inspecting the property damage.
The only apartments where the damp smell was beginning to leave were 2 side by side, the owners just got on with clearing out all flooring, doors and plasterboard rather than trying to salvage bits and pieces.
I realise this may be a lot more damage than your place received but it's my only experience of extensive water damage.
As the water damage company say themselves, you need to start work within 48 hours to get the maximum effect of their work.

How extensive was the water damage?

Let us know how you get on, good luck with it.

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I remember you posting up a question before on same subject, looks like plenty of folk are out to make a buck from your insurance.

I've seem my far share of water damaged houses to know how far a dehumidifier can go, the more serious the damage the less a dehumidifier can be used. All depends on how bad things are.

When plasterboard becomes saturated it becomes weak. Plaster board ceilings tend to bend and buckle from the weight of water soaked insulation along with the excess water from leak. Ceiling may well dry out with the help of a dehumidifier, if your ceiling buckled its going to stay like that, looks awful.

Depending on how much water lost during time of flood your house might never dry out properly unless its stripped down to allow ventilation throughout woodwork.

If I was away from home personally I wouldn't like the idea of a dehumidifier as a solution, I'd have to be there observing. If I was away like you are I'd be far more confidant knowing I was getting a re slab.

When everything boils down to money I guess you can only do the best within budget.

Forgot to mention, first I've ever heard of a specialist company as per your description, no idea really how house could turn out, anytime I've worked in damaged buildings from water, first is vet vac, then slab removal along with multiple dehumidifiers while house being re slabbed / plaster. Doors, architraves, floors, skirting and so on replaced depending on how bad things were.

Kivaro

Thanks for the feedback lads.
I decided earlier in the day not to go with the Water Damage company. And both of you touched on reasons why I decided not to use them.

Eoghan: The damage was very extensive with saturation on every wall and ceiling. The wood floors are also a write-off (unless a family of ducks move in).

The company in question promised that they could rectify the problem but I doubted it and could not risk problems occurring down the road, especially as I am selling it and my conscience needs to be clear with the repairs. And it has been 3 weeks since the break, so the 48-hour rule is out the window.

Tomorrow, the demolition begins. I intend to gut it down to the studs. All walls, floors and ceilings will be removed. A major pain is taking down the fitted cabinets and bathroom fixtures/showers etc.

When the lads have everything removed, including the attic insulation and the interior insulation (timber frame house), they will use dehumidifiers for a couple of weeks. Then we re-slab. Then re-plaster.

eoghan.geraghty

You're doing the proper job.
Get a skip, dump what needs to be dumped and salvage the good stuff, ie bathroom ware etc.
When the place is cleared have a think about changing the layout, not that you have to but if something's been bugging you about the place now is the time to do it.
Good luck with it.