Hoping for some advice.

We had a leak in our 2nd floor laundry room where it flooded that it seeped through the 1st floor and through two of the lighting fixtures in the kitchen underneath. I did a bonehead move of accidentally leaving the faucet of the laundry sink on which had the faucet over the counter and not the sink ....

We were able to stop it right away (when we saw the water coming from the kitchen lights on the 1st floor!) but the water is now slowly dripping now from the two light fixtures into a couple buckets underneath.

It appears that the water flooded across the floor tile of the laundry room and into the hallway which is carpet and then underneath to the 1st floor.

I pulled up the carpet and only found a small corner that was damp, so afraid the water must have traveled a quick route to the sub-boards underneath. The top wood where the sponge for the carpet sits is dry.

Since I do see see water slowly dripping from the kitchen light fixtures is there anything more to do then just let it drain?

Upon inspection it seems the water is collecting AROUND the cans of the light fixture there is no moisture inside where the bulbs are.

Beyond ripping up the kitchen ceiling or the 2nd floor sub-boards what else can I do? Doesn't seem anyway for me to get in there to blow dry things unless I cut a big hole in the ceiling which I rather not do.

I know after it dries if there's any water spots I can easily paint over them, but don't think there will be much since the water is only draining around the can lights and any water mark will be covered by the frame of the can lights.

Any advice is appreciated!

My concern of course is that the integrity of the kitchen ceiling is compromised, or worst breeds mold in the areas I can't get too .

Thanks so much!

 

One water incident should not do any real or lasting damage but the sooner it dries the less damage you'll have. Do what you can to dry things out as fast as possible. You might be able to open or remove the can lights to allow some airflow into the space between floors. Otherwise it will just take time for the water to evaporate and for the vapor to pass through the floor and ceiling. Keeping the humidity low inside the house will help aid the drying process a bit.

 

Stuff an old rag or strip of cloth between the can and the drywall where the dripping is taking place. The cloth will act with capillary action to help pull the water from the ceiling. Change the cloth regularly and if it is stays dry, you have absorbed all that you are going to pull out of the ceiling. Let it dry for several weeks and check for water spots. Since it is only dripping at one spot, the trim of the cans would probably cover any spot that might result from this small episode.

Hopefully, it is a can light and that electricity is not present at the drywall level. However, use caution with water and electricity.