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water damage, floor, wall and subfloor

Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2011 9:18 pm
by alisoncat
Hi, We have a 1978 doublewide Fleetwood. There's been a leak under the kitchen sink that's put a fair amount of water under the cabinet and wall. By coincidence we're replacing the siding so we have the outside wall opened up. There's a 1x4 sill plate under the framing that we've taken out to replace. Under that is the particleboard subfloor that's also been wet. We don't know how far under the linoleum this has gone. The rest of the framing appears to be ok. If we leave the subfloor alone, will it eventually dry out now that the leak is stopped? We don't know how to deal with the subfloor that's under the rest of the framing. Should we get it out? If so how? Is it ok to leave it?
Any advice is appreciated!

Thanks,

Alison

Re: water damage, floor, wall and subfloor

Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2011 10:42 pm
by JD
You would be able to see the floor joists from underneath. Just open up the underbelly in the area in question, pull the insulation aside and take a look. Unless this is a long term leak or the area had a long term leak before, the framing should be OK. To help dry out the subfloor under the sink, you could remove that bottom shelf and blow a fan into the sink base. If this is where the leak was, that shelf may need replacing anyways.

Re: water damage, floor, wall and subfloor

Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2011 4:44 pm
by Greg
As far as the subfloor goes if it is still solid and not swollen (you would be able to feel that with your hand) you should be OK.

Greg

Re: water damage, floor, wall and subfloor

Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2011 7:13 am
by alisoncat
Thanks so much for the help!