The day a client's 'simple floor' turned into a hidden plumbing disaster

Honestly, I was installing vinyl plank in a Phoenix condo last month when I pulled up the old carpet and found a completely soaked subfloor. The homeowner swore there was no leak, but the wood was soft and black. I had to stop everything, call them over, and show them the mold. They ended up needing a full plumbing fix before I could even think about the new floor. Has anyone else had a job where you found a much bigger problem hiding under the surface?

3 comments

3 Comments

grant8382mo ago

That hidden water damage is a real budget killer for homeowners. They never plan for the extra demo and repair costs, which can double the project price. Makes you wonder how many places are just one bad leak away from a major fix, lol.

abby_king222mo ago

But isn't it kind of rare to find that much damage? Most leaks get caught pretty fast.

simonw411mo ago

My buddy's "quick bathroom refresh" in Tempe found a rotten wall behind the tiles that cost more than the whole remodel. I guess my own house is the same, I just haven't looked under anything yet.