Hi AMHD: (Writing from Sarasota, FL, so hello to speedball1.)

My question is about clean up after small flood. The main lines in my condo building were backed up and the condo association has someone clearing the lines today. However, I had two types of backup: sewage water in the bathtub which really never exceeded about an inch in the tub, and what appeared to be clear water that was coming up through one side of the toilet from the screw hole that where the bolt connects the toilet to the flange - it was this water that went onto the bathroom floor and into the carpeted hall closet. It still flooded even after I shut off the valve going into the toilet.

Just because it appeared clear, I don't know for sure if it was and could still have bacteria. The maintenance guy for my complex warned me against drying out the carpet with an industrial fan. The other option is to get a carpet cleaning company in here right away - the more expensive option. While my landlord (condo owner) and the management company will be duking it to see who will pay for the clean up, I will probably be left paying the bill for now. In the meantime, I'm of course worried about mold especially in SW Florida.

So - should I use the industrial fan in the closet to dry the carpet, or wait for ChemDry to do it and avoid possibly spreading bacteria in the air through the fan?

I would let the pro do the job. You are a tenant and you repairing or fixing anything is not part of the deal in renting. Have you told the association you need them to dry out the carpet?

Bob gave you your answer... Chemdry all the way!

I just popped in to let you know that speedball has been out for a little while but is on the mend and will be up and posting again soon or he would have popped in to say helllo himself... ;)

Good luck!

Mark

Where I live this would be an insurance claim. (but for a condo strata probably not worth the cost) Also where I live the strata would be on the hook for the clean-up costs if it was the main line to the building that backed up.

In this case they should have a restoration company come over and do an actual swab for bacteria. Then off that information they would let you know what would need to be done. (in the worst case they would cut dry wall 2 feet up and remove and replace carpet and the foam underlay.)