Could this be mold or mildew?

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#1

Originally Posted By: sandra simkus
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My husband and I bought a new home 3 years ago. We knew there was a problem when each year during the late winter/ early spring we had a leak in the cathedral ceiling over the living room/ dining room area. Since the builder would do absolutely nothing about it, we were forced to hire a lawyer and threaten to sue. The lawyer also has us hire a structural engineer who discovered that there was no ventilation in any portion of the roof. The ridge vents were never cut and the gable vent is just for decorative purposes. Part of the roof has since been replaced but there is still one troubling problem. The entry way is 2 stories, so there is a portion of wall that drops to where it meets the cathedral ceiling. On this wall there is a dark line where every 2 X 4 is located. The nail heads are also turning black, and these show up as “polka dots”. I have also noticed that the outside wall on the other end of the room is showing these lines and darkened nail heads. Has anyone seen this? The builder just wants to paint over it.


Thanks
Sandy

#2

Originally Posted By: Richard Stanley
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Leak (water) plus no ventilation equals fungal growth. No way to tell for sure without inspection but your suspicion is very possible. Get an inspector to check the interior side of the wall for fungus or moisture presence or damage. You may have to allow disassembly of wall components for full inspection. Other possibility is that you have been smoking bad pot in the house!!!

#3

Originally Posted By: jhagarty
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–
Joseph Hagarty


HouseMaster / Main Line, PA
joseph.hagarty@housemaster.com
www.householdinspector.com

Phone: 610-399-9864
Fax : 610-399-9865

HouseMaster. Home inspections. Done right.
#4

Originally Posted By: mbailey
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Here is a link to what I believe Joe has described?it is sometimes referred to as ghosting.


http://home.ipoline.com/~house/ghostmark.htm

--
Mark Bailey
Stonegate Property Inspections LLC
Ponca, NE

#5

Originally Posted By: dvalley
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Great article Mark,


This article should be read by all homeowners who have a firplace with hvac heating. I've seen candle soot in several of the homes that I've inspected.

I've had customers ask me why there was blackening on the walls or around the window trim and I told them that someone liked the effect of glowing candles around the house, maybe for incense reasons or just to give the house a different effect.

As for the fireplace causing soot damage, I would advise people with HVAC heating that burning a fireplace in the winter while the heat is on, will definately cause blackening of the walls.

Take Care, ![icon_lol.gif](upload://zEgbBCXRskkCTwEux7Bi20ZySza.gif)

--
David Valley
MAB Member

Massachusetts Certified Home Inspections
http://www.masscertified.com

"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go."

#6

Originally Posted By: jmyers
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You could try Kilz and repainting. That should take care of any stains that are appearing on the ceilings.


Joe Myers

#7

Originally Posted By: kwilliams
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I just found this great article


http://www.buildingscience.com./resources/misc/black_stains_on_carpet.htm

#8

Originally Posted By: ekartal
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Hi Sandra, here’s another opinion!


The roof leak may have been from defective or missing flashing around a vent stack. As far as the wall problem, the black streaks on the wall are referred to as "ghosting". The surface of the wall studs are cooler than the air inside the home. Condensation forms leaving the "streak". This is generally a winter problem. Insufficient insulation may be the culprit. No way any of us can tell for sure without being there.

Erol Kartal
ProInspect