Calling Dry Wall Experts - Water Damage From Fridge Ice Maker! PLS HELP!

[slow&rusty]

Gang - Here is the situation...bloody plastic water line that feeds the ice maker on the fridge was leaking at the compression coupling \ ferrel. Has being dripping ever so slightly but enough that the drywall behind the fridge is completely ruined and after removal tonight I discovered much mold on the drywall.

I removed probably more than 90% of the damaged drywall, which is exactly 6sq.ft however there is a small section on either side of the fridge that is simply impossible to reach. To the right of the fridge is a large Pantry built into the wall and to the left is a "L" shaped kitchen cabinet with one piece counter tops and a tiled back-splash all tied in, nicely grouted and siliconed - all one big piece.

The pantry can be removed with some effort but that one piece L shaped cabinet \ counter top \ backsplash is near impossible.

I have a fan on it right now and things are beginning to dry up nicely. Air flow is the key to drying things out right now.

My question, if you were in my shoes, would you be OK leaving that small section of the damaged drywall (which is behind the pantry and the cabinet) and just splicing in a new section, tape, mud, texture and call it good?
-or-
am I taking a risk by not removing 100% of the water damaged drywall.
Any other recommendations?

Many thanks for your feedback!
Life and its curve balls I tell ya!
Regards - Yasin

[Hugh R]

Dry it out first. Mold is like any other living thing, it needs food (the drywall backing paper) oxygen and water. Deny any one and it won't live, but the spores can "hibernate and live. If you don't want to pull the drywall out, spray a 1:10 bleach:water solution a few times over a few days and allow it to dry. As long as it dries out, no worries. BTW, I used to do mold work for a living.

[HardDrive]

I wouldn't sweat the hidden section. If you seal everything up, this is a non issue.

[911Rob]

can you coat it with a sealant? If so, do that. Otherwise I'm with harddrive, no issue, you've done a very good job at repairing the damage.

[look 171]

Do what HUge said. The trick is the Bleach and drying the thing out. If not tape and mud it and it will dry out by itself.

Huge, Why did you get out the mold business? That's like the abestos business 20 years ago. Worry home owners are crying for your help. Everytime we rip out a bath or kitchen there's usually a little mold and home owners usually go nuts and want it remove by some mold professional. I usually give them the nod and go through with it. I don't need a law suit with these wealthy home owners.

[Joeaksa]

Also do not mention to anyone about the mold. Clean it out, replace the bad pieces and dry it and seal it up.

If your house gets labeled as having mold inside at any time, even though you have cleaned it out, your value just went in the crapper, if you can sell it at all.

[Dave L]

I would clean what you can and replace the large piece with green board which is water resistant.

[Rot 911]

What Hugh said. Plus replace the plastic line with braided steel line to avoid the problem in the future.

[slow&rusty]

Many thanks guys! I appreciate your feedback. It has dried out really nicely with the fan on it, so this weekend..its splice in a new piece of drywall and definitely a new water line for sure!

Thanks again
Yasin

[Hugh R]

Look171:

1. I got out from a liability perspective, also insurance companies are limiting mold claims, so less money.

2. I don't like dealing with homeowners, nuff said,

3. I was an Environmental, Health and Safety consultant for many years and got tired of it.

4. Disney hired me and I do motion picture and television production safety (which I used to do as a consultant as well) and I travel the world on their buck.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Kurt V

What Hugh said. Plus replace the plastic line with braided steel line to avoid the problem in the future.

Braided line will still leak at the joint where the nuts go. If they are kinked there, for sure it will keak. Its just a matter of time. SS braided lines are just added insurance so it resist bursting under high pressure. We always use the old fashion 1/4 copper tubing with compression fitting. I know it is a pain in the rear, but it will last for a long long time.

Everyday new construction products hit the market. they all claim they are better and faster. So they claim. for sure faster, but at what cost? I have been hung out to dry and questioned by many home owners from the know it all camp, internet and home improvment shows. I refuse to use a certain product or use a uncertain construction methods. Unless it is spec out by an arch. I have to fight those guys too on building methods somethime.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

Look171:

1. I got out from a liability perspective, also insurance companies are limiting mold claims, so less money.

2. I don't like dealing with homeowners, nuff said,

3. I was an Environmental, Health and Safety consultant for many years and got tired of it.

4. Disney hired me and I do motion picture and television production safety (which I used to do as a consultant as well) and I travel the world on their buck.

Wow, that's cool. I want your job. I am not sure about travelling part. That gets old quick.

I know what you mean with the home owners. For the most part, I enjoy that. Some can really kick your ass and are very difficult. I usually shake their hands and walk. I detect those early within the first few meetings. Let someone screw em'. I don't need the pain in my ass.

jeff

[89911]

I think household mold has become the new "fibromyalgia" of homes. Didn't our ancestors live on dirt floors in unheated cabins? Just clean it up and move on, as long as it isn't visible.

[Hugh R]

Originally Posted by look 171

Wow, that's cool. I want your job. I am not sure about travelling part. That gets old quick. jeff

Yes and no. I'm 53, kids are grown. I get enough frequent flier miles that I can bring the wifey on a few trips for free, I get a rental car, hotel room and my meals paid. She has enough vacation that I can take her to places around the world for very little of my money. This year, I've been to Auckland, Prague (twice), Budapest, Nassau, London, Rome, Moscow, Paris, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver (too many times) and a bunch of domestic locations. Next year I may be going to Iceland, Malta, Spain, Jordan (ugh), Prague, Beijing, Viet nam (first time in 34 years), and a few places domestically. My typical trip is two weeks. I've got a great employer and they're OK on the expenses I'm being paid to see the world!

I hate the plane trips, but I get to go to places that I'd probably never ever get a chance to see in my lifetime on my employers buck. Plus, I get paid to be involved in huge car chases/crashes, explosions, (did you see Deja Vu, where we actually blew the crap out of a real ferry boat on the Mississippi).

Beats the hell out of digging for mold under someones refrigerator!!

[look 171]

Beats the hell out of digging for mold under someones refrigerator!![/QUOTE]

Boy, you "ain't" kidding. I'm 39 and still chipping away with this general contracting / remodel stuff. (should have listen to my mother and stick with the engineering job after college) Luckly, I get to do some of the kitchen and bath design work when there isn't a real designer available. I don't do too as much of the hands on stuff as I used to, I Know what you mean about all that wonderful stuff. No fun. I am ready for a career change.

You really mean around the world.

I will rent Deja Vu tomorrow and check out the car chase. I am taking some time off we just had our second baby last Wed. I am grounded for a while. good time to watch a movie.

nice chatting with you. Do you go on those So Cal run with these guys? Maybe I'll see you then. New year's run is out of the question. My wife will kill me.


Slow and rusty,

I am glad it worked out for you. Sorry to get off topic.


Jeff