On Jan 30, 8:20�am, Steve wrote:
"James" wrote on 30 Jan 2008 in group alt.home.repair:





A dripping accident cause maybe two or three gallons of water to leak
out of a second floor bathroom into the carpeted floor outside, which
in turn soaked through and created two round stains (about 3 inches
diameter) in the ceiling below.

I dried the carpet with a carpet "steamer" (sucks out 1.5 gallon of
water) and a fan. Then I �peeled open the carpet at the bathroom
entrance and blew air under the carpet cushion, which along with the
floor board is still moist. There is also some white powdery stuff on
some of the floor board, which I think is rot. There is no decayed
wood.

What else can I do to dry the area? I don't think it warrants ripping
open the carpet and cutting a hole in the floor board since it is a
one time problem. Is there a less drastic way to dry the area under
the floorboard?

You're doing fine; just keep the fan blowing for a few more days. The
inside of the floor/ceiling will dry over the next few weeks. You can
run your heater a little warmer if you like.

I would replace the padding that got wet. Some varieties tend to degrade
when they get wet. For some reason, it's usually the little black chunks
that fall apart. A carpet store might just give you a scrap piece.

Give the ceiling below a month to dry. Cover the spots with a sealing
primer. Sand the primer lightly to feather the edges. Paint the ceiling.

The white powder could be lots of things, but it's likely dirt that
sifted through the carpet. If the wood seems good and solid, just clean
it up and let it dry.

--
Steve B.
New Life Home Improvement- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

heat the room up to say 90 degrees, leave fan run.

uncomfy but that will speed drying a lot