Calling all DIYers or anyone w/ Dry Rot Experience

[Brookenstein]

Well... the laminate flooring install was going well until we went to the kitchen.  After pulling off the baseboard we discovered there was a leak in the kitchenette area.  After taking off the drywall (which was moldy and nasty) we discovered that the 2x4 on the ground (maybe called a sill) is completely wet and rotted out... problem is there is a 4x6 screwed into this 2x4 that is slightly damp/rotted and another 2x4 that is very wet/rotted.  I think a neighbor can help us replace the leaky hot water pipe... but how in the heck do we repair the 2x4's and 4x6?  I know we can paint on some stuff that further prevents dry rot, but I'm pretty sure we need to reinforce it and/or replace the other beams.  BTW, we are on a slab.

Anyone know if we can do this ourself or if I need to hire this out?  Anyone in SoCal want to come do it for me?  Beer will be provided.  

[autoplay]

Ask your question here......
http://www.johnbridge.com/vbulletin/

Lots of pros in that forum....I'm sure 1 of em can point you in the right direction.

I'm a tile/stone mason....but I don't deal with the structural framing,although, some remodelers do.

GL

[Dr. Spaâ„¢ Ret.]

If it has dry rot it HAS to be removed. Dry rot is a fungus, once it starts growing NOTHING will kill it (except fire............. usually not an option). To start growing it requires a very exact moisture content of 28%. Once it starts growing, it doesn't matter what the moisture content is, it continues to grow. Even if the moisture content drops to 0 the fungus doesn't die, it just goes dormant. The stuff you can paint on is generally copper based and only prevents the fungus from starting to grow. It wont kill it once it's started.

[Brewman]

 You might consider calling in a pro for this one.  Be sure to get all the mold killed, and the rotted materials replaced.  If you have any sub flooring that is even slightly suspect, replace that too.
If you have any floor joists that need replacing, for sure have that done by a pro.  Wall studs and drywall you might be able to DIY if you want to do the work.  It'll be messy.

[Brookenstein]

Thanks for the feedback.  We were too POd about it yesterday to really even think about it, but I've emailed 2 licensed contractors that I found on Craigslist this morning.  The neighbor wasn't able to help us yesterday, but I'm hoping he can fix the pipe today and we can go from there.  He left us all of his equipment, but J didn't want to wing it himself, lol.  I really wanted to test out the blow torch, but was afraid I would burn the house down.  

[Gomboman]

Thanks for the feedback.  We were too POd about it yesterday to really even think about it, but I've emailed 2 licensed contractors that I found on Craigslist this morning.  The neighbor wasn't able to help us yesterday, but I'm hoping he can fix the pipe today and we can go from there.  He left us all of his equipment, but J didn't want to wing it himself, lol.  I really wanted to test out the blow torch, but was afraid I would burn the house down.  

Yes, take a digital photo for us if you spark up the torch.  

We had a mold issue with our house. Since it was new, the builder sent in a team of people with riot gear to investigate. The mold they tested wasn't toxic but they charged a ton of money to find out. I'm sure you will be fine but I would call a specialist. Is there anyway you could call the builder or the previous home owner? sounds like you inherited a problem that wasn't disclosed.

[Brewman]

If this leak caused the rot and mold problem, unless the plumbing was under some kind of warranty I'm thinking that contacting the builder would be fruitless.  Never hurts to try, but it's remarkable how little liability they end up having over things like this.  

If the house is new enough to be covered under some kind of warranty, then for sure look into it.  

About 7 years ago, dozens of new homes in the surrounding suburbs were built improperly- all were stucco, and it was applied wrong.
These were all considered upper bracket homes at the time- sold around the $600K and up range.  Homeowners were stuck with bills ranging up to $100K just to fix the problem, the builders didn't have to shell out a dime.   Took several years for the rain to seep thru and behind the stucco, resulting in massive rot and mold.  

[Brookenstein]

I got the plumbing fixed today, that was $225.  I've had one bid so far for the structural and that was $1200.  Having a hard time finding people to come look at it.

Plumber informed me that eventually (~10 years) I will need to replace all the pipes in the house and at todays prices that would be $6500 if there were no complications.  I told him I will sell my house in 9 years.  

Hey Gombo,  you shoulda seen me in highschool metal shop.  I was quite the welder back in the day.  

[Bonibelle]

Brooke, I guess you have copper pipes. :-/ I installed a whole house water treatment system for that very reason. I have copper and eventually acid water will corrode them and pin holes will form. would it be worth it to istall something to prevent futher damage to your pipes?

[Brookenstein]

This may sound silly, but how do you know if you have acidic water?  My water tests perfect out of the tap.  I've never had to adjust anything for the tub.  I thought (still think) we have hard water, but I just bought new strips for that and it tested ok too.  I bought a new dishwasher in January and the heating element is already a lovely white color.  

I really dunno what we will do, but we are tapped out financially.  Hopefully I will be able to find a job in the next couple of weeks.

Hey... anyone in SoCal need a private bartender?  

[Chas]

I am looking for sales staff. Interested? Pays huge.*

Must be breathing, and be able to complete a sentence without resorting to the following:

shrugging
eye rolling
hands in air combined with above
"Ya know..."
"whatever..."
"As IF..."


If you measure up, and if you did NOT have to have somebody read this to you, please contact me.

www.HotSpring-Ventura.com

[Brookenstein]

Chas,

If you were closer I would love to.  I think you should open a dealership down here and I'll run it for you.  I've got a degree in Marketing and Advertising Management, oh and next week I will be a licensed mixologist.  

[Brewman]

 What type of water pipe, if not copper, would you install?

The only other alternatives in this area is PEX and CPVC.  And both of those have had problems, IIRC.

[Bonibelle]

Brewman, what problems are typical with CPVC? When we built, I was more comfortable with copper, just because it had a long history..I was worried that somewhere along the line they would do some dumb study and find the plastic pipes caused...something. In the long run, I had to pay much more to keep my water from eating the pipes...so I don't know if I made a wise choice or not.

[Chas]

My folks had a new home built in Stockton, CA at least ten years ago. It had CPVC plumbing with compression fittings. It began to fail and the whole house had to be replumbed.

Now that I re-read my first paragraph, I am beginning to wonder: was there another plastic plumbing which ended in disaster other than CPVC? Butyl something? Any help?