Misc Drywall and water question

ChiefaRoo · 02-11-2010, 04:51 PM

I had a humidifier added to my heating system about 3 weeks ago. Dude tapped the hot water line with some kind of piercing clamp and then ran it via copper tubing into the unit. The hot water heater and main hot water line is located in attic space above my garage.

When I got home last night I saw some discoloration at the edge of my ceiling. I look closer and there were some pea sized bubbling of the paint. I think, oh crap and go look in the attic. Sure enough the clamp is drip, drip, dripping. No standing water but the area (6' x' 6') was wet.

I got it fixed this morning. They will pay to redo the drywall but I don't know if I want to put up with the whole process of cutting, mudding, sanding and all that. The drywall in the ceiling is not sagging and is hard to the touch except for the bubbles which basically popped.

Question: Will it dry out and not be an issue or should I get it replaced?

Any advice?

**Bwana** · 02-11-2010, 04:54 PM

Replace it. You don't want mold issues.

Pablo · 02-11-2010, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bwana

Replace it. You don't want mold issues.

What he said.

Water is DEATH to your home.

kstater · 02-11-2010, 04:55 PM

Without a doubt, if it soaked through, replace it.

**Bugeater** · 02-11-2010, 04:57 PM

Any mold on it? If so, I'd definitely tear it out, if not, I wouldn't worry about it. Although if it's a textured ceiling it may fall apart the next time you (or whoever) paints it, the water can cause the textured coating to come loose from the drywall.

Edit: I read it as 6" x 6" the first time, I would be far more concerned over that large of an area. There's no way to dry out the water that seeped in between the framing and drywall and mold WILL grow in that area.

02-11-2010, 04:57 PM

3 weeks ago? As long as the area will dry now that the leak is resolved mold shouldn't be an issue for you. 3 weeks isn't long enough for mold to form and as long as the area actually dries completely, no worries.

As long as you're okay with any minor cosmetic blemishes created, you'll probably be just fine.

ChiefaRoo · 02-11-2010, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia

3 weeks ago? As long as the area will dry now that the leak is resolved mold shouldn't be an issue for you. 3 weeks isn't long enough for mold to form and as long as the area actually dries completely, no worries.

As long as you're okay with any minor cosmetic blemishes created, you'll probably be just fine.

I had it installed Jan 19th but I don't think it started leaking right away. I'm guessing it's been there for about 2 weeks. The attic has good ventilation and like I said there was no standing water, just wet. The blown in insulation was wet too but not smashed down. The moisture mostly followed the 2" x 6" rafters and then spread out into the drywall panels.

If it did mildew/mold wouldn't I know about it in the next week or two?

Brock · 02-11-2010, 05:07 PM

Get the wet insulation out of there. Dry the area out with a fan.

**Bugeater** · 02-11-2010, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefaRoo

I had it installed Jan 19th but I don't think it started leaking right away. I'm guessing it's been there for about 2 weeks. The attic has good ventilation and like I said there was no standing water, just wet. The blown in insulation was wet too but not smashed down. The moisture mostly followed the 2" x 6" rafters and then spread out into the drywall panels.

If it did mildew/mold wouldn't I know about it in the next week or two?

You don't really want to wait around to see if mold will happen.

ChiefaRoo · 02-11-2010, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

Get the wet insulation out of there. Dry the area out with a fan.

I would have to shovel it out. It's that blown in stuff. It's 12" deep and spread almost entirely over the drywall and rafters. It would be as hard to remove it and then replace it as it would be to have the drywall replaced. I do have a fan I can put up there to move the air directly. The temp in my attic is about 55 degrees max.

ChiefaRoo · 02-11-2010, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

You don't really want to wait around to see if mold will happen.

Makes me nervous. I can get a guy to come and take a look and give me his estimate and opinion. Maybe that's the smart move.

Brock · 02-11-2010, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefaRoo

I would have to shovel it out. It's that blown in stuff. It's 12" deep and spread almost entirely over the drywall and rafters. It would be as hard to remove it and then replace it as it would be to have the drywall replaced. I do have a fan I can put up there to move the air directly. The temp in my attic is about 55 degrees max.

Well, that stuff is going to hold a lot of water. Leave it up there at your own risk.

ChiefaRoo · 02-11-2010, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

Well, that stuff is going to hold a lot of water. Leave it up there at your own risk.

That's what I'm thinking.

**Bugeater** · 02-11-2010, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefaRoo

Makes me nervous. I can get a guy to come and take a look and give me his estimate and opinion. Maybe that's the smart move.

You definitely don't want to leave the wet insulation laying on wet drywall, that will never thoroughly dry. Even if you do nothing else, get that insulation out of there. Soon.

**Bwana** · 02-11-2010, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefaRoo

I would have to shovel it out. It's that blown in stuff. It's 12" deep and spread almost entirely over the drywall and rafters. It would be as hard to remove it and then replace it as it would be to have the drywall replaced. I do have a fan I can put up there to move the air directly. The temp in my attic is about 55 degrees max.

You shouldn't have to do Jack crap. They screwed it up, they need to pick up the bill. Have it taken care of to be sure.

02-11-2010, 04:51 PM
ChiefaRoo MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Austin,TX Casino cash: $5197505	Drywall and water question I had a humidifier added to my heating system about 3 weeks ago. Dude tapped the hot water line with some kind of piercing clamp and then ran it via copper tubing into the unit. The hot water heater and main hot water line is located in attic space above my garage. When I got home last night I saw some discoloration at the edge of my ceiling. I look closer and there were some pea sized bubbling of the paint. I think, oh crap and go look in the attic. Sure enough the clamp is drip, drip, dripping. No standing water but the area (6' x' 6') was wet. I got it fixed this morning. They will pay to redo the drywall but I don't know if I want to put up with the whole process of cutting, mudding, sanding and all that. The drywall in the ceiling is not sagging and is hard to the touch except for the bubbles which basically popped. Question: Will it dry out and not be an issue or should I get it replaced? Any advice?
Posts: 11,848

02-11-2010, 04:54 PM	#2
Bwana It's Five O'Clock Somewhere Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Billings, Montana Casino cash: $2139593647	Replace it. You don't want mold issues. __________________ Adventure is dangerous....but monotony can kill you.
Posts: 69,730

02-11-2010, 04:55 PM	#4
kstater Custom User Title Join Date: Jan 2007 Casino cash: $1926563	Without a doubt, if it soaked through, replace it.
Posts: 39,159

02-11-2010, 04:57 PM	#5
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6252680	Any mold on it? If so, I'd definitely tear it out, if not, I wouldn't worry about it. Although if it's a textured ceiling it may fall apart the next time you (or whoever) paints it, the water can cause the textured coating to come loose from the drywall. Edit: I read it as 6" x 6" the first time, I would be far more concerned over that large of an area. There's no way to dry out the water that seeped in between the framing and drywall and mold WILL grow in that area.
Posts: 70,443

02-11-2010, 04:57 PM	#6
Phobia Guest Casino cash: $	3 weeks ago? As long as the area will dry now that the leak is resolved mold shouldn't be an issue for you. 3 weeks isn't long enough for mold to form and as long as the area actually dries completely, no worries. As long as you're okay with any minor cosmetic blemishes created, you'll probably be just fine.
Posts: n/a

02-11-2010, 05:07 PM	#8
Brock Say hello to my little friend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Larryville Casino cash: $9598422	Get the wet insulation out of there. Dry the area out with a fan.
Posts: 47,314