Browse Forums General Discussion 1 May 11, 2011 6:27 am My neighbours and I have homes that were flooded during the Melbourne storm on 4th February. We each had at least 500mm water throughout our homes. All the homes have since had floors removed and plaster removed to at least 1200mm high. An ongoing concern has been mould issues. Homes have been sprayed but mould continues to reappear in dirt on ground (as ground is still damp.) The company that has been performing cleaning, removal of building materials and mould spraying now feel they need to create a barrier with black plastic over the bearers and joists to create a barrier between dirt and new wooden floors. To stop further mould rising into homes. We are very concerned with this suggestion. Will it create more problems with moisture build up? Humidity issues? Water pooling on top of plastic is there is a leak or spillage? As they will not be able to run plastic under walls, how effective will this measure be? We found this forum and hoped someone might be able to provide some independent advice. We are in need of answers pretty quickly as Insurance Companies are putting pressure on us to get works underway. posting.php?mode=post&f=1&sid=d77721ba132577a45e17c5f99fe10030# Thank you. Re: Builder wants to lay plastic on bearers before wood floo 2May 11, 2011 11:26 am Interesting situation, I daresay it could cause further problems. I think everyone's probably just scrambling to find a solution to current issues in a short amount of time. Surely there could be a better resolution if it was given some time and thought. Maybe some kind of absorbant but breatheable insulating type product would be better....but i'm not an expert! Homestead Homes SA: The Lamont Bayswood Estate; Aldinga Beach Preliminary Signing: April 2010 Floorplans: 13 June 2010 Building Contract: 19 June 2010 Selections: 28 Sept 2010 Scraped; Trenching: 21 Jan 2011 Slab Poured: 28 Jan 2011 Framing: 17 Feb 2011 | Completed 24 Feb 2011 Roof & Gutters: 02 Mar 2011 Bricks: 03 Mar 2011 Wire-up: 12 Mar 2011 Re: Builder wants to lay plastic on bearers before wood floo 3May 11, 2011 7:23 pm Hi Hedi, you really need to speak to an engineer, he/she will assess your home and give you a professional solution. Stuff the insurance company ..you're the customer. Re: Builder wants to lay plastic on bearers before wood floo 4May 11, 2011 9:50 pm Thank you rockabilly_kid & TheOK for your responses. I'm no expert either but my gut feeling said something wasn't right with the suggestion. I have researched Sub Floor Ventilation/Mould etc over the internet with no straight forward answers. Permeable insulation membranes have been mentioned. Doesn't appear Australia really have any building practise guidelines in this field. I have spoken with a few ventilation experts today and they are adamant the plastic should NOT be used as it would cause all kinds of condensation problems. They feel the only way to really resolve moisture issues under a home is through airflow. All our homes are weatherboard and pretty close to the ground (200-400mm clearance). I'm so confused and exhausted with the chasing and questioning of some of the procedures that have been suggested. I've been made to feel like I'm a trouble-maker for asking for a second opinion. I know I will probably need to spend some money (insurance won't cover this) but I just need to make sure we spend it wisely. Simply can't afford to get it wrong, already feeling the pinch, so much not cover by insurance! Should I approach someone like Archicentre for an Engineer? Regards, Hedi. Re: Builder wants to lay plastic on bearers before wood floo 5May 12, 2011 10:23 am Hi...up here after the floods there was a group that were offering free advice to flood victims, it was the engineers or architects society they would come in and do free damage assessment, I would get onto you state body of engineers or architects tell them your situation and they might send someone out free of charge.
My Brother in Law is a builder and he described to Me ventilation systems they have installed before in sub floors, they put in a couple of fans down there to keep air circulating, My shop was flooded and the floor is about 600mm above the dirt and this is the option we were going to take if we had dramas, but thus far we have been ok. Hope this helps Re: Builder wants to lay plastic on bearers before wood floo 6May 12, 2011 2:07 pm Thank you Rick75. I will try and find out if there is such a group for the Melbourne flood victims. God knows there are a few of us really unsure of the direction to take. Having a ventilation expert come out today. Drainage is another issue I will need to address. So good to talk to a few people and get so independent advise, feeling a little overwhelmed with the enormity of the situation. Regards, Hedi. Re: Builder wants to lay plastic on bearers before wood floo 7May 13, 2011 10:28 pm Just don't let the insurance company push you around, just remember anything they do or say is to benefit themselves they don't give a hoot about you. The conduct of the majority of insurance companies up in Qld leave a lot to be desired, if you give them an inch they will take a mile. Best of luck. Re: Builder wants to lay plastic on bearers before wood floo 8May 14, 2011 12:54 pm Hi - there are several things to consider 1. It might be a requirement under the code, and he has to do it whether it works or not. 2. As a barrier against mould and damp, it will certainly work only if there is a 100% seal. If there is a break water will find a way in no matter what. 3. Under flood conditions who knows - it might be effective as far as it extends up the exterior - then again you wouldn't want your house to float off. I'd say - why not - as long as its done well. Re: Builder wants to lay plastic on bearers before wood floo 9May 14, 2011 2:21 pm Thanks for everyone's support. Al least with the floors up I can now see where the excessive rains is coming in, only pooling into one room now at front of house. Original home owners put a concrete path down blind side of house and it actually falls slightly into house (great!). So rain flows down path and seeps through gap between concrete and blith board. Trying to get a plumber can come out dig up path and put in some drainage.....man that's proving difficult... can anyone could recommend a decent plumber in the South east suburbs of Melbourne? In the meantime I have dug a trench on the inside perimeter of the house in that room to at least stop water from pooling to the centre of room. Used a sub pump to remove excess water. Now I just need it to just STOP RAINING!!! Have had a couple of sub floor companies now ring and advise not use use plastic under floor boards. They have offered o write something up for insurance company RACV. Fingers crossed they will listen! Hedi DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair At a bit of a loss on this one - we're thinking the original owners never removed the protective laminate covers from their kitchen cabinets after installation and in the… 0 6338 Ardo That is so funny! I wonder how many people know who Larry Haun is these days. I have a couple of young guys we call Mo 1 & Mo 2 who run a crew of 6 boys and… 9 15539 You should check your detail drawings, it may show downpipe within brick pier. 14 14126 |