Water Damage

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Click on Photo above to enlarge

Water damage from roof leaks and leaking pipes can be some of the most expensive and well hidden damages to a home.

In Figure 9, a slow drip from a supply line under the kitchen sink was hidden behind household chemicals.  Over time, the bottom shelf and surrounding supports of the cabinetry were damaged.  This small leak ruined the kitchen cabinetry and cost over $8,000 to repair.

In Figure 10, the swollen particle board kickplate and surrounding cabinet framing were destroyed before the home owner even new there was a leak. In some cases, ceramic tile in the area adjacent to the leak can be delaminated from the concrete slab.  When this occurs it will sound as if it is hollow when tapping it with a coin.

In Figure 11, the solid plank wood floor runs continuous throughout the home.  The water damage to this floor necessitated the refinishing of all of the floors in the home to to match.  In some cases the wood planks are very old and can not be matched, necessitating replacement of all of the flooring.

In addition to the physical damage to cabinetry, flooring, etc., asbestos containing products can be found in many older homes causing the cost of repair to potentially skyrocket. 

Homes built prior to 1982 may have asbestos in the backing of vinyl flooring.  Homes built prior to 1978 most likely have asbestos in the wall & ceiling texture as well as the joint compound between sheets of drywall.  Insulation in very old homes could also contain asbestos.

Although the EPA does not regulated the removal of asbestos containing materials in older homes, it can pose a safety hazard and should be removed in a manner commensurate with a commercial abatement project.  This can add thousand of dollars to the repair of a home.

In figure 12, water has damaged drywall with an asbestos containing texture.  The water damage itself and the removal of the wallboard released some asbestos.  However, the replacement of the drywall, sanding of the tape joints and the eventual scraping of the remaining acoustic ceiling will release copious amounts of asbestos into this home.

In figure 13, water damaged wallpaper is to be removed.  The float on which the wallpaper is hung contains asbestos.  The fibers will be released in abundance upon the sanding of the wall prior to rehanging new wallpaper.

In Figure 14, the water damaged vinyl flooring contains asbestos.  Also, the adjacent ceramic tile floor is layed over the vinyl flooring and will require replacement due to the abatement of the asbestos tile underneath.