Water damage during Hurricane

[jessilynn0081]

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During Hurricane Gustav we started experiencing puddles of water forming under the carpet. This has happened before during a hurricane about 10 years ago.The water seemed to be coming out of nowhere. It wasnt starting directly up against the wall.. My mom said it was from the chimney and that we should have covered it. The puddles were forming on both sides of the chimney (the first one starting about 2 ft away from chimney) but not directly in front of it and the inside of the fireplace was dry. We pulled all the carpet out and noticed that the bottom of the basebaords as well as the wood on the tack strips were all rotted and water damaged. My question is..Is it possible that this is from the chimney or is it more likely coming from the ground through the walls? It seems to me that if it were coming in through the walls it would have started at the wall and the same with the chimney.Please help!! I want to put in wood flooring but i need to fix this problem first!!!

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[Chris]

Is the house on a slab? My guess is that the water is seeping under the slab and from there out on the carpet.

The gutters probably release the rain water too close to the perimeter of the house, or the grading is wrong. There is a possibility that the problem could start in a neighboring yard, if yours is lower.

Whatever the reason, my guess is that the water accumulates instead of flowing away from the house.

As you have found water damage under the carpet, this probably happens at every major downpour.

[ransley]

A chimney should have a cap, and have the roof flashing checked, look in the atic.

[jmeehan]

It will depend on local conditions. Those winds can drive rain right through a block wall and you can have the water table come up above the floor level easily. Concrete is not, by nature 100% waterproof. It is the nature of the material.

I suggest having a local professional take a look and make suggestions.

[Norminn]

You don't give enough information (good try) for anyone here to really help pin it down. Photos would help, as well as information about the type of construction, slope of the ground around the house, Water can enter through a defect in roof, fascia or flashing and travel a good distance away before running down - can run down wires, rafters, etc. Can you check the attic during a heavy rain? I would expect ceiling damage, but not always, in the case of roof or fascia leaks.

Is the house on a concrete slab? What type of siding? I'm in Florida, and have read about water being forced through concrete block/stucco walls during hurricanes, with older homes better protected because they have more coats of paint.

If the floor is close to grade, there could have been water running off the ground or from downspouts that intruded and collected in lowest spots.

Tough, sometimes, to find source. What is directly above the places you found water? You mention "both sides of the chimney" - since you have pulled up the carpet, you could try a test. Pour water on both sides of the fireplace and see if it collects in the damaged areas .... seems if that is true, then your problem is likely flashing.