Drying out after water leak

[robbiejustice]

Drying up a downstairs bathroom after a water leak. The leak was from a plastic elbow that popped off so a lot of water must have come out but I couldn't see it pool anywhere. Its a 1950s house with suspended timber floors (I assume as has air bricks) so I am guessing the water found a way down to the ground.

Anyway the leak was next to the shower tray and when I lifted the vinyl floor in there it was wet and it found a way to the hallway too. The bathroom has a screed and the hall way old tiles (maybe asbestos). I don't want to mess around with either so is it reasonable to run a dehumidifier and dry it out that way? If so would a domestic dehumidifier do (just being on for longer) or should I be hiring one?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

 

[terryplumb]

Hiring an industrial one would be better than a small domestic one .

 

[Exedon]

We subcontracted to a specialist insurance contractor for many years.
After this sort of leak they would bring in industrial dehumidifier's plus free standing fans to keep air circulating.

 

[robbiejustice]

Thanks both. There’s also a large shower tray that I really don’t want to lift but I can’t see how the floor underneath would ever dry out if I don’t so I think I’ll get someone out to have a look - what are the names of the people who do this work? Water damage specialist? Flood restoration?

 

[Exedon]

Have you considered contacting your house insurance provider?
You wont be insured for leak repair but will be covered for all damage leak has caused.

 

[robbiejustice]

I was trying to avoid that as my excess is £900 for water damage.

 

[oldbutnotdead]

If the floor under your shower tray is concrete don't worry about it. If it's timber or plywood then ventilate it as well as possible, dehumidify, fans etc, it'll be fine.
If it's chipboard or OSB or any other composite board, cross your fingers and pray while dehumidifying

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Thanks both. There’s also a large shower tray that I really don’t want to lift but I can’t see how the floor underneath would ever dry out if I don’t so I think I’ll get someone out to have a look - what are the names of the people who do this work? Water damage specialist? Flood restoration?

As above - industrial dehumidifier and large fan to move the air around. Could you not make holes in the plasterboard below where the leak was, to get air to it to dry it out?

 

[robbiejustice]

Thanks all, I’ll hire the dehumidifier. I’ll try and drill some holes to get some air under the tray