Water Stained Ceiling - How Do You Prevent Mold?

[GeoGeo]

Neighbor's house ended up with water stains on the ceiling. She is gone. I've never had to deal with this issue before. What needs to be done to prevent mold?

Shingles look okay from what we can see on the ground. She has a high deductible, but the insurance company was contacted anyway. They could not suggest who to contact. I called a roofing company and the home was placed on a waiting list. Who knows how long it will be before someone can get to it and I can understand that. Just wondering if there is something I should be doing so mold does not set in?

[Madelaine Amee]

Neighbor's house ended up with water stains on the ceiling. She is gone. I've never had to deal with this issue before. What needs to be done to prevent mold?

Shingles look okay from what we can see on the ground. She has a high deductible, but the insurance company was contacted anyway. They could not suggest who to contact. I called a roofing company and the home was placed on a waiting list. Who knows how long it will be before someone can get to it and I can understand that. Just wondering if there is something I should be doing so mold does not set in?

This is a definite problem .... the insurance company should have, or should be, sending an assessor to her home to check on the damage and, at that point, they should be able to recommend a reliable roofer.

Without knowing the fully story if I may respectfully say this .... you should not be having to deal with your neighbor's property worries. At this point it is really up to her to be dealing with the agent herself. You are a good Samaritan for helping in this way.

[maureenod]

If possible, get a fan aimed at it to circulate air. If it is a small area, it should dry.

[PennBF]

A suggestion is to go to Lowe's or Home Depot and buy a few petrie dishes and place them in strategic location and that will tell you if you have mold. Follow the directions that come with the dish.:ho:

[Happy Snowbird]

Mixing 1 gal vinegar with a large bottle of hydrogen peroxide kilks mold...may also prevent mold?

[waterlily]

Look up!! It came through the roof. It could be that the roof is ok, the wind just pushed some water in. The attic has to have some wet insulation. Just my opinion!!

[rubicon]

This is a definite problem .... the insurance company should have, or should be, sending an assessor to her home to check on the damage and, at that point, they should be able to recommend a reliable roofer.

Without knowing the fully story if I may respectfully say this .... you should not be having to deal with your neighbor's property worries. At this point it is really up to her to be dealing with the agent herself. You are a good Samaritan for helping in this way.

madelaine: An insurance company is in a Catch 22. They are aware of the good contractors yet if they have a list of approved contractors lawyers complain claiming anti-trust, etc. yet if they refuse to recommend a contractor the insured complains. if they do recommend a contractor and that contractor fails the insured and lawyers are suing the insurance company.

the insurance company should be sending out an adjuster to determine how and where that water entered the house. also no one really knows the extent of water damage. that water may have traveled further than the eye can see???

Personal Best Regards:

[Madelaine Amee]

madelaine: An insurance company is in a Catch 22. They are aware of the good contractors yet if they have a list of approved contractors lawyers complain claiming anti-trust, etc. yet if they refuse to recommend a contractor the insured complains. if they do recommend a contractor and that contractor fails the insured and lawyers are suing the insurance company.

the insurance company should be sending out an adjuster to determine how and where that water entered the house. also no one really knows the extent of water damage. that water may have traveled further than the eye can see???

Personal Best Regards:

Agree with your comments on insurance company recommendations. However I really think the homeowner needs to be dealing with her Agent rather than asking her neighbor to do this for her. If there is a real problem with damage, she is putting her neighbor in a very difficult position. Her neighbor is very well intentioned and trying to help at this trying time.

[jpvillager]

Thank you for helping the neighbor. Yes they should contact the insurance co. Your help goes a long way to give us snowbirds piece of mind.
Make sure the A/C is on and is dehumidifying the house. If the thermostat is set high because they are not there I would set it at 75 for a week. turn on ceiling fans and as some suggested try to aim a fan at the ceiling. Water may have blown in at the roof vent. I had a similar, non-storm related problem. Called the warrantee dept, got the name of the original roof installer, called them and they came right out and corrected the problem for a very reasonable cost.