Help! Left the bath tap running!

freyanneke_2 · 12 September 2010 at 9:26AM

I was washing some clothes in the bath after our washing machine died, but forgot to turn the tap off and then left to pick up the children from camp. :eek:That was two weeks ago and the house has still not dried out even though we are using three dehumidifiers. Black mould is growing in my shower room and my living room, bedroom, hallway and kitchen have also patches of mould. Does anyone know what would be clever to do next?

New_Collier · 12 September 2010 at 9:43AM

poor you!
You need to get things bone dry so you can assess the damage.
When we were flooded some yrs ago I found dehumidifiers were not as effective as opening all windows, doors etc. and getting a blast of air going through all areas. You can do that anytime there's someone in the house. Stagnant air makes it more likely mould etc will develop. Keep treating the mouldy areas with mould spray and wipe [otherwise it's too depressing, it stinks and seems to breed ] Keep the dehumidifiers on for areas you cant ventilate and for overnight use. If you add heat while you are dehumidifying it will dry out faster. It's harder to dry out when it's raining outside - so pray for dry weather.

freyanneke_2 · 12 September 2010 at 4:21PM

Thanks NC! Always good to hear what someone else's experience is. It has been raining a lot in the last two weeks in Devon. Our heating hasn't been working since January. In two weeks time it will be repaired. Tomorrow the kids go back to school and I will open everything again. Luckily their rooms are not really affected.

New_Collier · 13 September 2010 at 10:11AM

I have a vision of you with all your doors and windows open today. Hope it's not raining. Shame your heating isn't being fixed for a couple of weeks. Do you have a working open fire or stove - as that could help to get things drying, it gets the air moving and warms the wall where the flue is to help it dry out. Let us know how it goes. Good luck.

freyanneke_2 · 17 September 2010 at 1:39PM

Thanks NC, All windows and doors are open. It is nice, sunny and dry today. We just had the flood and fire surveyors in. They are going to write their report and then we will know a bit more about the damage. I keep my fingers crossed.

freyanneke_2 · 24 September 2010 at 8:04AM

I am still trying to battle the mountain of laundry. My spin drier just broke. It seems to be a challenging month. I better get the children into gear. If someone with 18 kids can do it, I must be able to do it with 5. Still 3 dehumidifiers are running. I am sure we will get there in the end. The flood experts have singled out 5 main walls that will be envelope dried. It seems like it will be working out fine in the end.

Ms_Chocaholic · 24 September 2010 at 8:07AM

when we had some water damage in our house (not quite a flood) we had dehumidifiers and large fans (on full blast) blowing at the affected areas; according to the insurance company using both together was more effective
HTH

freyanneke_2 · 1 October 2010 at 10:48AM

Just to let you know, despite all the rain, we are doing fine. The dehumidifiers are still on full time and the walls are drying slowly which is working out perfectly for the plaster. I have more trouble keeping on top of my laundry without a washing machine. Wish me luck, I have a week to sort it.

MoaningMyrtle · 1 October 2010 at 10:58AM

When we had a flood at work, we hired industrial dehumidifiers, from a tool hire company, these were much more powerful than the domestic ones, this may be worth a try?