Water Damage Advice
Hi,
I am starting on my first real rehab. The house is structurally sound, but has quite a bit of damage from two interior water leaks, from bad pipes.
Is it just a case of
1) Find and fix leaks (plumber)
2) Rip out and replace damaged drywall (drywall contractor/handyman)
3) Restore drywall finish to blend in with rest of wall
?
There is some mold in a couple of parts of the house too - mostly in the basement, from one of the leaks. That is one of the sections of drywall I would have removed and replaced. Anything else I need to do where mold is concerned?
Thanks
Oh I forgot to ask about typical drywal installation costs too. A 4x8 sheet is only a few dollars at the store. How much would a typical drywall guy charge to install it, assuming removal of old drywall too? (ballpark figure)
Thanks
Yes, you are on the right track. Also, you need to get rid of the mold.
A mixture of bleach and water or pure bleach will kill mold on contact.
(1) Fix the leaks.
(2) Tear out everything you need to expose each and every trace of mold, spray bleach on it and let then dry it out with fans.
(3) Once the mold is dead and dry only then repair.
(4) Mold needs - moisture, heat, and darkness to thrive if you take away the moisture no new mold should come back.
(5) There is no set price for repair, spend 20 minutes calling drywall contractors or handymen out of the yellow pages and get a quick ball park of price in your area once you know what work actually needs to be done. You may end up paying as much for one sheet of drywall being replaced as having 3, because small jobs are not profitable to drywallers and you will most likely be faced with a minimum charge.
Now of course since you are aware of mold in the house, you have entered the world of disclosure when you eventually sell it.[ Edited by The-Rehabinator on Date 11/24/2003 ]
andrewb,
Have you purchased the property? My first thought was that this IS your first rehab. And, what better way to learn from the "school of hard knocks", than to start with a home that has apparent water damage. However, if I were you, MAKE darn sure you leave enough $$$ to cover your expenses.... Water damage is our (rehabbers) worst enemy!!!
[addsig]
As indicated by prior posters bleach is the answer.
My suggestion is that you might like to participate in the remodeling.
I suggest you expose the areas from whence came the leaks. If the water lines are galvanized, say a prayer and start to replace with copper, why you ask, well, its prettier. Real reason because copper so much better and does not clog up and develop pin hole leaks etc. Solve the water problem. As to drywall here is your chance to learn. I know you may even use up a sheet or two but think of the fun. I have the banged nails to prove it. To manage the trades and to hire the trades you really should try to do a few little tasks. Save you a fortune some time in the future when some plumber with his pants down around his upper theigh tries to over charge. With my kids I just taught them a trade at a time. Of course the girls were better then the boys. They had a very superior motor skill and the logic oh my god.
Enjoy, I did for many many years Lucius
Hello, and welcome to the world of REI!
Ok, I cannot encourage you enough to do as much of the work as you can. You'll have to hire out for plumbing and electrical, but dry wall, tape, finishing and painting is well worth the time to learn and to do.
As the general contractor, you'll save yourself a ton-o-$.
What many folks do is a rehab here a rehab there; then they'll buy two or three and do the work on one themselves and contract the work out on others.
Thanks, and the best to you,
OnTheWater