I recently experienced a disaster at my home. After two years of owning a great house built in 1982, we suddenly faced a serious issue. It started with slow flushing toilets, and by Friday night, we were dealing with black water leaking underneath, creating a horrible smell that forced my family to evacuate. The plumbers and carpet cleaners responded, but unfortunately, half of my guest room, living room, and kitchen ended up flooded. Although the smell seems to be gone and the house feels sanitized, I've been advised not to stay there since they need to replace the carpet. I'm at a loss and want to know what my options are moving forward, especially after spending quite a bit on plumbing and cleaning services.
2 Answers
First off, are you on city water and sewer or are you using a private well and septic? If it's city, that's a good start. Just make sure to keep in close contact with your plumber about what’s causing the issue. They should have ways to help you out if you trust them. Also, considering you only have carpet in the guest room and the rest is wood, you'll want to focus on that room first to ensure it dries out properly before replacing anything.
Honestly, if it were me, I’d consider selling. Sometimes, no amount of cleaning can make you feel safe in a space after something like this. But if you aren't ready to sell, make sure you work with a good plumber to find out if there's a bigger issue at play.
It's city water and sewer, so that's relieved some stress. Yes, the living room and kitchen are wooden floors, while only the guest room got flooded.