JOMO
Florida
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Joined: 05/27/2008
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We keep our RV at my brothers house about 1 hour from my home. We go visit about once a month, so we just leave it parked in his yard he lives in the country and has plenty of room. Well today I got a phone call that there was an accident with the RV. From what I understand the weather was suppose to be down to freezing, so my brother decides to turn the water on at the sink so the pipes won't freeze. I guess he forgot I have a holding tank and not a septic tank. Well as you can imagine the tank fills up and over flows from the sink. The table was lowered as a bed and all the water soaked in the cushions and in the carpet. They took a wet and dry vac. and got up as much water as possible from the carpet. Then called me. I went and picked it up. Now I have the cushions in my garage on a drying rack with a fan on them, I unzipped them hoping that will help. I don't know and was afraid to ask how long the water ran. He felt so bad and he says he turned the water off and somehow the outside faucet had a leak but 2 and 2 doesn't add up. Family you gotta love em. What do you think my chances are that it won't stink and smell moldy when every thing dries out.As you can see in the picture above or at least I hope you can see a picture. The location of the the sink, we were lucky and it was running toward the cab of the truck and not back toward the camper part. Any hints that might keep things from going from bad to worse.
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rondeb
Pacific Northwest
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Joined: 05/06/2005
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I would report this to my insurance. As an accident it should be covered if there is damage more than you can see. Like subflooring etc.
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kknowlton
Wisconsin Border Country, IL
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Joined: 05/27/2005
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I agree with rondeb. We had a water backup leak in our popup when it was new, and years later the floor got real spongy - turns out it had been damaged from that leak, but no way to tell for quite some time (without tearing up the floor, which we didn't do). Sorry to hear about your calamity!
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pauldub
North of Seattle
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Joined: 11/01/2005
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Rent a de-humidifier ASAP or call your insurance company ASAP or both.
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DiamondDan
IL
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Joined: 10/26/2008
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We just had a sump pump failure in the house. I had the spare shelves left over from the washer/dryer install leaning against a basement wall, and it is amazing how the particle board/OSB/veneer sucks up water. I suspect your rig's cabinets are made of the same stuff, and if it got wet, it is not a good thing. For sure *document* the damage with pictures/video for your insurance company.
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turninghawk
Gatlinburg, TN
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Joined: 09/11/2003
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I'm sure your insurance company knows the garaging location of the RV, so you should be OK there. Since the water was turned on purposely, they may try to make it a little sticky for you, but hopefully you have a good enough company and appropriate coverage that everything will turn out fine. Best of luck to you.
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webhannet
Southern Coastal Maine
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Joined: 08/09/2004
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It sounds like too much time may have passed to avoid all the related problems, but I suggest calling SERVICEMASTER or one of the other companies that deal with "disaster" problems. They have higher power extractors and dehumidifiers than you can rent - and they know how to use them. This was Progressive Insurance's suggestion.
When I had a flood, I found I had full foam padding under my carpet - and there way NO WAY that would dry. The insurance company (Progressive) termed my error as something like "owner error", and they paid. I was thankful!
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bukhrn
Lanexa, Va
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Joined: 03/20/2005
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Just a couple questions,
1. If the rv isn't in use, why do you even have water hooked to it, (or in the tank)
2.How often & for how long does it get at or below 32 in Florida, to even worry about pipes freezing?
2007 Forester 2941DS
2005 KIA Spectra
Zamboni, Long Haired Mini Dachshund
I Love My Grizz
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JOMO
Florida
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Joined: 05/27/2008
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Both questions are good ones.
1. No need to have the water hooked up. I ask my DH as we were leaving did you disconnect the hose and his answer was it's alright I turned the faucet off . 2. Still not quite sure what my brother was thinking, perhaps one to many beers while standing around the old fire barrel. Everything has pretty much dried out now. It looks fine and I guess we'll know about any odors in a few days. I don't think I'll have to ask the DH about the hose anymore and just for good measure we are going to leave the gray tank open, while it's there. My brother meant well and he feels terrible so we won't ask too many questions. We love the RV but we love my brother more. The main reason we bought the RV was so we could visit with him. He plays some mighty fine old time country songs with his old guitar, around the fire at night. Life's to short to worry about the little things we'll be back up there this week end sitting around the fire and having a good ol time. I just wanted a little advice about the clean up.
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Hook&Go
San Antonio, Texas
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Joined: 02/19/2004
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You should at least run a dehumidifier. I wouldn't leave the sewer drain open, it will stink up you RV. I am sure you don't want that. If you just leave it open and not connected to a system then critters might get in. I am sure the lesson about leaving the water running has made a lasting impression. Good Luck.
Joe & Debbie Speer
USAF Retired
2006 Winnebago Outlook WF332G
2001 Chevrolet Tracker (TOAD)
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