Dear Group,

With the faucet running I let the laundry tub on the main floor overflow. By
the time I caught the problem (I was home the time of the incident) water
had covered the laundry room floor, into the hall and partly into the dining
room. Of course with nowhere to go water then went through the floor into
the finished basement below . It is a terrible feeling.

In the basement below (drywall with popcorn ceiling) water was coming out of
the light fixture and water had run down the inside of the wall(s) and then
out about a foot onto the carpet.

Anyways I had towels everywhere. With the visible water on the mainfloor
absorbed I then immediately rented a heavy duty fan and large dehumidifier
for the basement. Both have now run for 24 hours.

The ceiling did not buckle and there is just one small water stain on the
ceiling. Visibly the drywall itself seems fine. The carpet is close to dry.

I need some advice.

I am concerned about *unseen* damage behind the drywall and in the popcorn
ceiling. Will running the fan and dehumidifier past the time the carpet is
dry help at all to dry *behind* walls and *in* the ceiling? If so when
should I turn them off?

I called insurance. An adjuster will come early next week. Is it a given
that one should tear out the affected walls and ceilings not because of
visible damage but because of possible mold (sp?).

Thanks for your experience.

--
Doug Mitchell )