The floor was water damaged when a water line froze and busted ...A cleaning Co. has been using machines to dry out the floor and get the moisture out from the floor BUT ---- will the floor stay glued to the concrete slab or POP up ? it's a tareket flooring ( sorry about the spelling) . It is already splitting on the top and isn't really designed to be sanded so I am gonna request the Insur Co,. to replace it ...what are your thoughts ...

 

Running dehumidifiers and fans will expedite drying. Whether or not the water trapped under the flooring will lift the floor can not be determined until after the floor completely dries out. When wet, it swells. When dry, it shrinks. Between the moisture and the movement, be prepared for loose tiles. Once you determine that floor is not salvagable, contact the insurance company. Take pictures. Make notes, etc. Keep receipts for what you pay to the cleaning company. Homeowner's insurance may reimburse you for that, too.

 

I was near the end of refurbishing my home and EVERYTHING has been replaced... except the plumbing and the majority of the electrical. I had air tools and hand tools and paint brushes and an arm load of 1/4 round trim that just got the 3rd coat of acrylic paint along with solid oak trim that had been stained --all precut to fit and laid into position to be nailed. All kinds of materials still in the boxes or wrappers , some salavagable some not . The Insur Co. set the cleaning Co. right away when they heard I had wood flooring and the machines have been running sincenon-stop. They removed the kick plated from my new cabinets and drilled holes to get the moisture from behind them too. Tomorrow the Insur agent will arrive and most everything has been cleaned up , wiped off ,..etc. I wonder how this is gona go !!!! Oh -- and the plumbing Est. was right at 1,500 to replace two lines of copper with PEX ( both lines 20 ') .... Yikes !!! CRAZY HUH ??!

 

I would be hesitant to sign off on anything right away. Now you report they drilled holes in the toe kick area. So, there has been moisture trapped under the cabinets and under the flooring. It is difficult to guesstimate how the flooring will do at this point, and it may have to be replaced. If the insurance company will replace it, I'd request it. You will never likely be satisfied with the floor after this.

It is difficult to know the potential for mold/mildew beneath cabinets or flooring. I would have removed the toe kick boards altogether to use wet/dry vac to remove water under cabinets and greater air circulation.

Surfaces that remain wet/damp 24-48 hours can grow mold. If you start smelly musty smells, then you likely have mold/mildew growth. Too, concrete is porous and absorbs moisture and takes a while to dry out.

 

Just got back from the house and the Insur Co, said they would replace the Kit floor and the hall way but not the living room ( which did get some water under it too ) . I think I am gonna request that they take care of all the wood cause it will not be easy to match correctly and they're only gonna ( repair) the plumbing not replace more than what they can see is busted. My new Kit cabinets will need to be removed to replace the floor ( they have grante tops ) .....I don't believe it will look,smell, or feel the same ....what a nightmare . Any suggestions to any aspect of this situation is greatly appreciated from all of you --thank you !

 

If you find mold and mildew, you will have to clean and disinfect with bleach/water solution. Then, you will have to run fans to expedite drying before installation can take place.

You will feel better about taking out the cabinets and removing the floor beneath so you don't have to worry about trapped moisture, mold and mildew.