Posted on: Friday, August 27, 2004
HOME HANDYMAN
It's best to check drywall after rain for any signs of moisture
By Glenn Haege
Q. I had some minor rainwater backup caused by roots in my home's drainage pipe. I was able to keep the water from touching most of my finished walls.
Some of the water touched the base of one of my walls, which is drywall on one side and paneling on the other. Since it only touched the base, do I have to worry about anything there?
A. Because the bottom of the drywall got wet, water could easily have gotten in between the walls. The only way you will find out is to cut away a small portion. If there is a trace of moisture, cut out the lower portion of the drywall. Sanitize and dry the cavity thoroughly. Spray with 3M Scotchgard Mold Block and replace the drywall.
• • •
Q. We just had a new roof put on our house. Our contract called for 10 roof can vents. When the job was done and I checked things out, I noticed there were no can vents. After asking the contractor, they got back to me about a week later telling me that they had installed ridge vents (which we can see) and fascia vents under our gutters.
Our house is very tall, and we can't see under our gutters. My husband looked in our third-
story attic along the edges and couldn't determine if vents were put in. We're afraid they're making up that they put fascia vents in. How can we tell? Thanks for any advice that you can provide.
A. Go up to the attic, crawl over to the soffit area and look down. Be sure to push any loose insulation away from the roof because insulation easily could be covering the soffit vents. If you can see daylight or feel a breeze, they are in. If the soffits are solid, there is no soffit vent.
Glenn Haege writes for the Detroit News. Write: Ask Glenn, Master Handyman Press, P.O. Box 1498, Royal Oak, MI 48068-1498, or e-mail askglenn@masterhandyman.com.
