Sunday, April 26, 2009

The damage

My biggest frustration with my whole water nightmare has been the property management company that my condo board hired. I feel like they are trying to take advantage of me because I'm a new homeowner and don't know much. The property management still hasn't sent someone, but they are starting to realize that I'm not going away. What they don't know is that I have the ability to read, consult experts and talk to my neighbours. So know I have knowledge about how to deal with water damage, I know the law that governs condos and I have the support of my neighbours to get elected to the condo board. And when that happens, the property management company with rue the day I bought my house. I think the other part that drives me crazy is I don't like feeling like I need to be this tough jerk, just to get stuff done.

I got lucking and was able to salvage the carpet, but not the carpet pad. I learned that you have to dry carpet from back to front so the glues that keep it together don't dissolve. So here's the pictures of the damage. My first indications that it was more than just some wet carpet.
The problem corner where the water is seeping in from the foundation.

When I realized that I had mold.
The rusty nails that told me that this was not an isolated incident. According to the insurance guy, it's not the previous owners fault that they didn't notice because the dry wall was doing a good job soaking up the water.

The pile of of molding drywall I riped out.

I don't know if you can see it but the vapour barrier was dripping with water.

This corner is going to be a nightmare. This is before I pulled out the moldy insulation.

You can see where it is coming in.

One of the frustrating parts was that some of the insulation looked fine from the front.

But then I found this on the back.

4 comments:

Janine said...

:( That looks like NO FUN! I hate it how things like this snowball into huge messes. Good luck!

kk Leilani said...

I don't know if you would love it, but I'm sure the rest of the people would love for you to be on the board. I know I would love it if you were. I love what you have done....read about it all and taken action. Now that's more than half the battle. Keep it up girl. I know it sucks to have to help other people take part in their responsibilities, when all you really want is to get a little help yourself. I think you're doing the right thing...if people don't get checked...they just keep on keepin on...thus the mess you are left with. You know what they say...when something bad happens...that means something good is around the corner...(okay really I got that from Charie back in the day...but I still love it...and think it's true). Keep us posted....I support your efforts and hope something in the matter goes your way soon!

Razzle Dazzle Mom said...

wow! What a mess! And yes, they will rue the day! DO NOT MESS WITH CHARLOTTE!

The Sorensen Bunch said...

Oh my HECK!! that is a homeowners WORST nightmare...now I am going to go around and feel all the corners of my carpets. HOWEVER no basement and no snow--with VERY DRY desert conditions may help ease my fears for now! ..until the river floods! I am so sorry!