Sunday a week ago when I was walking into my bathroom I stepped into a puddle. A tiny puddle. The kind of puddle you just assume your cat made or you dripped coming out of the shower.
By Tuesday it had a friend. Which was halfway in my bedroom closet.
Wednesday I had a plumber friend come over. He checked out all the obvious stuff and then pulled back the carpet. The padding underneath was drenched and mold and mildew were everywhere. Baseboards were moldy. We stopped pulling anything up because we were out of his wheelhouse.
Thursday morning I woke up with a sore throat and sinus infection. I decided that was the last night Bella and I could sleep in the bedroom (or really be in the bedroom- I wear a mask in there now and she is SO MAD I won’t let her in). She seems pretty okay with the back of the couch.
Friday morning a contractor friend came over who has worked in our buildings before. We pulled everything out of my closet (SO many Rubbermaid containers) and discovered mold. And more mold. And more mold. Mold all the way through my entire closet.
I had spent days stressing about how to pay for this. We still didn’t know where the water was coming from. We didn’t know how bad the mold really was. We didn’t know if it had spread to my neighbors unit or if my neighbors unit had caused it. I had talked to dozens of friends and family members. I was going to drain my savings and try to figure out how to live without some items for a while.
Until one of my wiser friends said the words that had not even popped into my mind- INSURANCE! I have homeowners insurance! I have been paying them for 15 years and NEVER used it.
So Friday I also filed my first ever homeowners insurance claim. Considering what is going on in Texas a part of me felt guilty for even bothering them.
Monday I called a former co-worker from when I worked at … drumroll please… a disaster restoration company. Yes I used to work somewhere that went in and fixed places taken over by mold. He came over, moved my bedroom dresser and discovered MORE MOLD. Eating into my dresser and a bit further down the wall.
He took pictures, measurements and we began the process of dealing with the insurance company.
So right now I am basically living in my living room. I only live in 800 square feet and 350 of it is now off limits. I am slowly cleaning out the bedroom, throwing away things that were destroyed, washing clothes and blankets and purging. Once things are sorted they are moved in here. This is my view right now as I work.
I am actually excited about the purging. I have lived here for 15 years and never done a really deep cleaning. Three bags were already dropped off at goodwill this morning and I expect that number to increase quite a bit.
There are some perks to this situation. Regardless I am going to have to get new flooring and new paint in my bedroom. Getting the house cleaned out will make it feel so much better. It gives me a chance to prioritize my life.
I will keep you guys updated as I continue to move forward. For those of you who say a prayer the biggest obstacle right now is finding the source of the water. My insurance claim cannot be approved without it. So the next few days will be pivotal for my financial future!
Sue Thomas says
I hope you have better luck with your insurance company than we did when we had. A leak. We had a faulty connection to a water source behind our refrigerator, and didn’t know it until the floor started swelling and then saw mold in my pantry. They wouldn’t cover it because it was “leakage over a period of time,” How are you suppose to know until you see evidence? Very disappointing.
My daughter had a leak around her chimney which was the result of shoddy workmanship when the house was built, and HER insurance wouldn’t cover it because it was the builder’s fault. Not to discourage you. If they cover it, Imhope you share the name of the insurance company. I might switch.
Laura says
Thanks! I will keep everyone updated!
Laura says
Thank you!
Deb Brooks says
Sorry to hear about your situation. Let us know what caused this. Hopefully, insurance will cover damage. Just wanted to comment on Bella….. she looks exactly like my Heidi, except mine is much bigger (don’t want to say “fat” and hurt her feelings). I would like to send you her picture but not sure how to.
Keep your chin up!
Deborah says
Yikes! How awful! Hope they find the source quickly so the repairs can begin. Please keep us updated. Curious to know the cause.