Last week while we were away, our bedroom ceiling unexpectedly collapsed. Our townhouse, built in 1981, has been home for us for the past three years. We can't find any signs of a leak, and we suspect that the builder might have used nails instead of proper drywall screws. Along with the drywall, about half of the cellulose insulation from our attic came crashing down. We usually leave our A/C on, just adjusted to a higher temperature, so I'm worried that some insulation might have blown around through the HVAC system. We've contacted our insurance, and an adjuster is coming today. What should we be sure to address during their inspection? Should we consider asbestos testing or replacing carpets? Do we need to have the vents professionally cleaned, or should we just throw away anything that cannot be cleaned? Also, would it be reasonable to ask for help from insurance to reinforce the ceilings in our other rooms? We were lucky to be away at the time, but it's made me anxious about the safety of our home and kids.
1 Answer
If your HVAC system has a proper filter, the ducts should be fine. It’s a good idea to replace the filter anyway. As for repairs, you’ll just need to clean up the insulation and drywall mess, put up new drywall, and repaint. Don’t forget to check that the remaining ceiling is secured properly!
Thanks! So if our bed and clothes were covered, we can just clean them instead of throwing everything away?