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About John Michaels
Expertise
All questions pertaining to all indoor floor coverings regarding best products to choose, proper installation techniques, and proper maintenance techniques.
Experience
We are a nationwide floor covering inspection service. We inspect all types of indoor floor coverings in every city and town in all 50 States and in all the Provinces of Canada. We see where errors in choice of product, improper installation, and improper maintenance lead to complaints being registered and we are then called upon to inspect those products and issue certified reports indicating from where those complaint issues eminate. We have done this type of work for over 40 years.
Publications
Floor Covering Weekly & Floor Covering News
Education/Credentials
Carpet, vinyl, and hardwood manufacturing, installation, and maintenance, prior to just inspecting, and a division of our Company specifies proper floor covering choices for residential and commercial uses.
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You are here: Experts > Style > Interior Decorating > Flooring and Carpeting > Water damage to tile floor
Expert: John Michaels - 11/9/2009
Question
Our condo recently had a flooding issue due to an icemaker. There was standing water in the kitchen where tile is located and in the bedroom where carpet is on the floor. It is possible that the water could have been there for at least 4 weeks. There was mold growing on the tile and base boards. Question is: Is there a chance if the tile was not sealed properly that the mold could be found under the tile? Should we have the carpet and tile removed and replaced since it is located at the beach where there is humidity issues.
Answer
Hi Davilyn;If you see mildew and mold, both of which are human health dangers, the first thing I would do is contact my homeowner's insurance agent TODAY! Let that agent know that mold and mildew are visible. That agent should immediately call in a restoration company who the insurance company usues and they would probably lift the carpet and pad in the water damaged area to see if there were any damage issues to the subfloor (you should be present and watch what is going on and ask as many questions as you like). If NONE of the tiles are loose, it may be an indication that the water did not affect the adhesive used to install the tiles. If you see mildew and mold on the walls and moldings, the moldings should be removed to see if there is any further damage behind them, and some test cutting should be taken into the walls (if the walls are paper board the damaged areas can be cut out and replaced), and, if the subfloor is not cement slab, but either a crawl space or basement is under the damaged area, the subfloor and joists should be viewed from underneath the damaged areas to see if there is any indication of water damage. Once that is all done, find out from the restoration company what they plan to do, then write down what they plan to do, contact at least two general contractors that you trust, to get their opinions (that should be done immediately after you hear what work is planned, so contact those general contractors IMMEDIATELY after you hear what work is planned), and then get the needed work done. Once the moldings have been removed and the walls cleaned of any visible mildew and mold, and, if there is no damage to the carpet and pad, the carpet and pad properly dried out and immediately, properly professionally cleaned, then the wall and subfloor exploratory work should be done and repairs made.
Cordially,
John Michaels
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