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Just because there are brown stains on the ceiling does not mean that you will have a mold problem. The only way that you will have a mold problem is if the walls and ceilings have not been dried sufficiently. Structures can be wet even if you cant see or feel the moisture. The only way to tell if anything is still wet is with a moisture meter.

If there is a subfloor space then that is going to be the area where mold will likely grow. Depending upon how your home is constructed, there can be approx. a 2 foot space between the upstairs floor and the downstairs ceiling. This area can stay wet and it is dark, both contribute to mold growth. Situations such as this are typically handled by water emergency companies. This type of emergency will often be covered by a homeowner's policy. The company will come and direct air movers and bring large dehumidifiers into the affected areas. It typically can take 3 to 5 days for the structure to dry sufficiently. It may be worth contacting your insurance company and submit a claim. They will recommend professionals to come and assess your situation. If you do decide to submit a claim, do not paint over the stains. The insurance adjustor will want to see all the damage to calculate your repair costs.

If you are going to do this on your own it is fine for your bf to paint over the water stains because the stains are in no way toxic. If the overflow happened more than 5 days ago and it has not been dried properly there is a definite possibility of mold growth. The mold can act as an allergen and that is what may or may not affect you. Everyone reacts to mold differently..

Feel free to post any follow-up questions you may have.

Expert:	Home Improvement Jay
Pos. Feedback:	98.9 %
Accepts:
Answered:	9/30/2009

General C&ontractor

6 years exp. residential home and pool construction; mold, fire and flood remediations.