DCB flooded my house!

[EchoMom]

OMG today is one of those days where I do NOT like my job and wonder why in the WORLD am I inviting all these kids into my house!!! DCB 5 years old left the water running after using the restroom. I didn't know until we'd been outside awhile playing when SA girl comes to tell me she saw puddles in the bathroom when she just went in to use it!!!

The entire upstairs bathroom was flooded with standing water and downstairs water was pouring through the ceiling, light fixtures, soaking everything!!!! UGH!!!! What do I do?!!! What do I say at pick up?!!!!

[DBug]

Did he do it on purpose? Or was it an accident? Because I'd totally base my response on that.

A couple years ago, we had friends over visiting (not dc related). Their 8 yo used the upstairs bathroom and clogged it. Because he was too embarrassed to say anything, he flushed a few times and then left it. Several minutes later, we had brown water running down the walls of the main floor, down into hubby's computer cave in the basement, right onto his computer .

Hubby was SO not impressed! Yes, it was disgusting and nasty, but in all honesty, the kid didn't do it on purpose, it was an accident. We just told him to let us know next time, and that we would unclog it for him.

His parents were incredibly embarrassed too. Maybe these dcp's will be as well? Perhaps you could suggest that you each pay half for damages?

Whether it was an accident or not, I definitely wouldn't let dcb use the bathroom again without being close by.

[sharlan]

Sounds like my house 5 years ago, EXCEPT it was me that I caused the damage. I turned the faucet on in the upstairs laundryroom and forgot about it for about 15 mins or so. I caused over $20k in damages to my daughter's bedroom and the downstairs playroom. Thankfully my insurance covered all but $500 and I even saved that much myself by hiring individual workers.

[GotKids]

this should make you feel better. Last month DCB decided to flush a handful or so of those disposable hand towels. I had no idea. About 1/2 way through nap time I learn that my basement is filling will sewage. As I try to figure out what to do and call DH home. Licensing shows up with CPS to talk about a family they are worried about abuse at home. Of course each she comes she has to start with a walk through and make sure I don't have violations. I tell her about the basement and how there is plumber on the way. She has to call her boss to see I have to send all the kids home and then she has the health inspector come out.

almost 200 to fix the clog, nearly 300 for the carpet shampooing of the basement (this isn't an area I normally use anyway) and I still had to rip up and haul off the nasty carpet when they couldn't extract enough water and make it sanitary. Now I have to recarpet the basement and I am looking at roughly 3000 to do so.

[youretooloud]

We flooded our house and it caused over 40K in damages. Insurance came out right away to fix it.

If you can't clean the mess up by yourself with all the kids there, I'd honestly close for the day. Water damage is very serious, and not something you want to wait and see how it goes.

If the damage is bad enough, call your insurance company. (I had an inch of water in 80% of my house) If you think a shop vac will do the trick, and you can pull the baseboards off to let the walls dry, do that. But, don't leave it. BTW, most insurance companies won't cover mold. They'll pay to stop the mold from growing, but once it has started, you are on your own.

Pull up any carpet that has water under it, and try to put fans in there to dry the floor...but, if there's enough water under the pad, it won't dry no matter how long you run fans.

[MissAnn]

Originally Posted by glenechogirl

OMG today is one of those days where I do NOT like my job and wonder why in the WORLD am I inviting all these kids into my house!!! DCB 5 years old left the water running after using the restroom. I didn't know until we'd been outside awhile playing when SA girl comes to tell me she saw puddles in the bathroom when she just went in to use it!!!

The entire upstairs bathroom was flooded with standing water and downstairs water was pouring through the ceiling, light fixtures, soaking everything!!!! UGH!!!! What do I do?!!! What do I say at pick up?!!!!

This happened to me a lot....(not flooding, just leaving water on) and then I bought a motion sensor faucet from amazon and it did not cost an arm and a leg! Actually, it's just an attachment but it works very well! Husband hates it....but he doesn't count! LOL

[momofsix]

No advice...just a huge "I'm sorry this happened to you!" and hoping the fix is not crazy expensive! Do you have specific dc insurance that would cover this?

[Heidi]

Originally Posted by MissAnn

This happened to me a lot....(not flooding, just leaving water on) and then I bought a motion sensor faucet from amazon and it did not cost an arm and a leg! Actually, it's just an attachment but it works very well! Husband hates it....but he doesn't count! LOL

Like this one?

http://www.amazon.com/iTouchless-Fau...cet+attachment


I've been thinking about something, because the dck's just run and run that water, and it's going into the septic and running the pump.

[Heidi]

OP-so sorry this happened to you!

[Cozy_Kids_Childcare]

OH NO!!! I remember when we lived in an apartment and I had just gave birth to my middle child and hubby came home to change clothes to find out the upstairs hot water heater busted and it was pouring into our apartment. The water was under the carpet and all over the place. I'm so thankful that I was in the hospital still because it would have stressed me out to the max. I'm sorry you have to deal with this. I hope it was just an accident that the water was left on.

[Blackcat31]

Originally Posted by glenechogirl

OMG today is one of those days where I do NOT like my job and wonder why in the WORLD am I inviting all these kids into my house!!! DCB 5 years old left the water running after using the restroom. I didn't know until we'd been outside awhile playing when SA girl comes to tell me she saw puddles in the bathroom when she just went in to use it!!!

The entire upstairs bathroom was flooded with standing water and downstairs water was pouring through the ceiling, light fixtures, soaking everything!!!! UGH!!!! What do I do?!!! What do I say at pick up?!!!!

How did you not know until the SA girl told you?

Did the 5 yr old go inside to use the bathroom by himself while you were all outside?

I guess I am wondering what your routine is for bathroom use? Are kids allowed to go in alone or do you all go inside?

I am thinking that a 5 year old is old enough to know better but at the same time, you kind of can't be mad if he was unsupervised inside.....kwim?

I am NOT trying to be rude or unsupportive but any child young enough to be at daycare, shouldn't be allowed to use the bathroom inside without supervision (I don't mean actually in the rest room with him) because things like this can and do happen all the time.

So sorry this happened to you. If you mention anything to the parents at pick up, be prepared because they are going to immediately ask where YOU were in all of this if they feel at all that you are "blaming" the child.

What a tough situation to be in. I hope insurance covers the costs of any damage done. Sorry again that you had this happen.

[brookeroo]

Seriously... I would have called his parents to come and get him... more or less so I could just cool off. If he did it as an accident fine but they need to understand the severity of that and accident or none you will need to cool off. That is major damage not just a scratch on the fridge....

[EchoMom]

Originally Posted by Blackcat31

How did you not know until the SA girl told you?

Did the 5 yr old go inside to use the bathroom by himself while you were all outside?

I guess I am wondering what your routine is for bathroom use? Are kids allowed to go in alone or do you all go inside?

I am thinking that a 5 year old is old enough to know better but at the same time, you kind of can't be mad if he was unsupervised inside.....kwim?

I am NOT trying to be rude or unsupportive but any child young enough to be at daycare, shouldn't be allowed to use the bathroom inside without supervision (I don't mean actually in the rest room with him) because things like this can and do happen all the time.

So sorry this happened to you. If you mention anything to the parents at pick up, be prepared because they are going to immediately ask where YOU were in all of this if they feel at all that you are "blaming" the child.

What a tough situation to be in. I hope insurance covers the costs of any damage done. Sorry again that you had this happen.

Yes it was an accident, I'm not mad at him because yes he's 5 and forgetful and clumsy sometimes but really the sweetest boy you've ever met! He went to the bathroom sometime between 7:30am (his drop off time) and 10:30am when we were outside and SA girl (my 9 year old niece, so yes she goes to the bathroom and inside by herself and is very much my unofficial helper during the summertime). I didn't even know he'd gone to the bathroom since he's old enough to take care of himself he doesn't need to tell me. I was in the kitchen making breakfast and he went to the bathroom which is just around the corner. I never heard the water running. I didn't even think to check, I did diaper changes in the nap room and we all went outside. When we were outside my niece went in to bring me swim diapers and when she came back she told me what she saw.

Oh man. The downstairs bathroom ceiling is bubbled with water and it's all down the walls and floors and came through light fixture!

[youretooloud]

Well, honestly, the chances of him PURPOSELY flooding the house are slim to none.

He was probably lazy, or forgetful, but not destructive.

BTW... I let the kids go inside, or outside alone...no matter the age. If they are very little and need help to potty, i'll leave the kids outside and go in to help in the bathroom, but, I don't always follow them. (I would with this kid from now on though) So, I'm not saying he was unsupervised, or it was your fault....just that it was probably not intentional either.

[countrymom]

dh is awful for this. Luckily it hasn't happened in my house but he's notorious for leaving the water on and filling the pool (the kids seem to empty an above ground pool all the time) if I don't go into the toy room and hear the water on (its under the house) I would never know either.

and op, once you become sufficient enough to use the bathroom I don't follow anyone to the bathroom. I do have a couple who like to tell me, but my older ones come and go as they please. I will bet you that he forgot to turn it off, my kids always forget to shut the light off in the bathroom.

[Mommy2One]

Originally Posted by DBug

His parents were incredibly embarrassed too. Maybe these dcp's will be as well? Perhaps you could suggest that you each pay half for damages?

As a parent, I wouldn't find this fair. Don't get me wrong, I'd feel bad it happened, I'd feel bad my child was involved, I'd be sympathetic and hope that insurance covered it, etc. but I wouldn't feel it was my responsibility to pay half of the costs. It would be different if my family was visiting a friend, where I was responsible for my daughter and something happened to their home because I wasn't being diligent enough. In that case I'd probably offer to pay all or part of the costs or correct the damages in some fashion. But daycare is different because I'm paying the provider to be the responsible individual in my absence. If my daughter were old/responsible enough to be held accountable then she wouldn't need to be at a daycare to begin with. I would consider making sure the water was shut off after a bathroom visit to be part of the services just like preventing the kids from throwing toys or coloring on the walls.

[MissAnn]

Originally Posted by Heidi

Like this one?

http://www.amazon.com/iTouchless-Fau...cet+attachment


I've been thinking about something, because the dck's just run and run that water, and it's going into the septic and running the pump.

Exactly this...I love it! There is a button you can press that makes the water run continuously....the daycare kids know NOT to touch it!

[MissAnn]

Originally Posted by Mommy2One

As a parent, I wouldn't find this fair. Don't get me wrong, I'd feel bad it happened, I'd feel bad my child was involved, I'd be sympathetic and hope that insurance covered it, etc. but I wouldn't feel it was my responsibility to pay half of the costs. It would be different if my family was visiting a friend, where I was responsible for my daughter and something happened to their home because I wasn't being diligent enough. In that case I'd probably offer to pay all or part of the costs or correct the damages in some fashion. But daycare is different because I'm paying the provider to be the responsible individual in my absence. If my daughter were old/responsible enough to be held accountable then she wouldn't need to be at a daycare to begin with. I would consider making sure the water was shut off after a bathroom visit to be part of the services just like preventing the kids from throwing toys or coloring on the walls.

I have it in my policies...if a child damages toys or my house, parents are responsible.

[daycarediva]

Originally Posted by MissAnn

I have it in my policies...if a child damages toys or my house, parents are responsible.

mine too, and the parents have to sign saying that they agree to it-even if it was accidental- and because of something just like this.

We JUST refinished our basement, and dcg was brand new at the time, left the bathroom, didn't say a word, and then water starting coming down the hallway. I had to replace the hardwood flooring in the hallway and it caused significant damage downstairs. She overflowed the toilet (she tried to flush the plum she didn't want for snack!)

I now have a toilet that flushes a bucket of golfballs. Take that kids!

[Former Teacher]

Originally Posted by Mommy2One

As a parent, I wouldn't find this fair. Don't get me wrong, I'd feel bad it happened, I'd feel bad my child was involved, I'd be sympathetic and hope that insurance covered it, etc. but I wouldn't feel it was my responsibility to pay half of the costs. It would be different if my family was visiting a friend, where I was responsible for my daughter and something happened to their home because I wasn't being diligent enough. In that case I'd probably offer to pay all or part of the costs or correct the damages in some fashion. But daycare is different because I'm paying the provider to be the responsible individual in my absence. If my daughter were old/responsible enough to be held accountable then she wouldn't need to be at a daycare to begin with. I would consider making sure the water was shut off after a bathroom visit to be part of the services just like preventing the kids from throwing toys or coloring on the walls.

I agree. If it was intentional, done with meanness etc, I could understand why. However, being that the provider wasn't within sight/sound distance, I would have a hard time justifying paying for any damage. Whether it is in the policies or not.

[EchoMom]

Originally Posted by Former Teacher

I agree. If it was intentional, done with meanness etc, I could understand why. However, being that the provider wasn't within sight/sound distance, I would have a hard time justifying paying for any damage. Whether it is in the policies or not.

I was within sight/sound. I was in the kitchen making breakfast, he was just around the corner going to the bathroom in the hall bathroom. He's 5 years old and starting Kindergarten in 2 weeks, I didn't think I needed to check on him after he went everytime, apparently now I do. I knew he went to the bathroom, I didn't know the water was running. Yes it was an accident and no I wouldn't ask the parents to pay for it, my point was that it just was a huge bummer!!!

[saved4always]

That is a huge bummer. I am so sorry that this happened to you. I hope that the damage isn't too bad. Definitely do whatever you can to get any drywall dry before you get mold. My best friend's sump pump failed a few weeks ago and their basement flooded. They were told that they needed to get the drywall dry within a few days (can't remember the exact number of days but it was low, like 3 or 4) to keep mold from growing. She had dehumidifiers, fans, etc. all over the basement. I think they were okay after doing that.

[Crazy8]

Originally Posted by glenechogirl

I was within sight/sound. I was in the kitchen making breakfast, he was just around the corner going to the bathroom in the hall bathroom. He's 5 years old and starting Kindergarten in 2 weeks, I didn't think I needed to check on him after he went everytime, apparently now I do. I knew he went to the bathroom, I didn't know the water was running. Yes it was an accident and no I wouldn't ask the parents to pay for it, my point was that it just was a huge bummer!!!

I agree with you - I would let a 5 year old use the bathroom by themselves too. I can't believe everyone is saying you need to supervise them using the toilet???

Hope your insurance covers the damage!!!!

[Former Teacher]

Originally Posted by glenechogirl

Yes it was an accident, I'm not mad at him because yes he's 5 and forgetful and clumsy sometimes but really the sweetest boy you've ever met! He went to the bathroom sometime between 7:30am (his drop off time) and 10:30am when we were outside and SA girl (my 9 year old niece, so yes she goes to the bathroom and inside by herself and is very much my unofficial helper during the summertime). I didn't even know he'd gone to the bathroom since he's old enough to take care of himself he doesn't need to tell me. I was in the kitchen making breakfast and he went to the bathroom which is just around the corner. I never heard the water running. I didn't even think to check, I did diaper changes in the nap room and we all went outside. When we were outside my niece went in to bring me swim diapers and when she came back she told me what she saw.

Oh man. The downstairs bathroom ceiling is bubbled with water and it's all down the walls and floors and came through light fixture!

Originally Posted by glenechogirl

I was within sight/sound. I was in the kitchen making breakfast, he was just around the corner going to the bathroom in the hall bathroom. He's 5 years old and starting Kindergarten in 2 weeks, I didn't think I needed to check on him after he went everytime, apparently now I do. I knew he went to the bathroom, I didn't know the water was running. Yes it was an accident and no I wouldn't ask the parents to pay for it, my point was that it just was a huge bummer!!!

The bolded part in the first quote was why I thought you weren't within sight/sound. On the flipside I am glad you aren't going to charge the parents