# Exterior Tile Rusting! Any ideas why? **URL:** \ **Category:** Exterior Inspections\ **Created:** [July 21, 2012, 4:50pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/exterior-tile-rusting-any-ideas-why/70713 "2012-07-21T16:50:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rmeyer2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rmeyer2/32/56578_2.png) [@rmeyer2](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rmeyer2)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2012, 4:50pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/exterior-tile-rusting-any-ideas-why/70713/1 "2012-07-21T16:50:25Z")
Hello, I performed a maintenance inspection on a home that had tiles used as siding and some of the tiles had rust stains. Any ideas what caused this and what would you recommend? ![P1090134.jpg](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/9/5/95a53f609982f9ca9966d8077d91ecbb7c3f7120.jpeg) ![P1090103.jpg](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/8/3/83eda66afcb8655c0e9eb56966d328f44b0d34d7.jpeg) ![P1090111.jpg](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/7/f/7f5d0e1a1c25b757658b677dbe84de0ab6aa6aac.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![mlarson](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mlarson/32/89225_2.png) [@mlarson](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mlarson)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2012, 4:52pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/exterior-tile-rusting-any-ideas-why/70713/2 "2012-07-21T16:52:39Z")
> [@rmeyer2](#): > > Hello, I performed a maintenance inspection on a home that had tiles used as siding and some of the tiles had rust stains. Any ideas what caused this and what would you recommend? Steel nails used on the window nailing flange. Big problems ahead IMHO. Water is getting behind the times and or window flashing. ---
**Author:** ![sfogarty](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/sfogarty/32/58235_2.png) [@sfogarty](https://forum.nachi.org/u/sfogarty)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 11:13pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/exterior-tile-rusting-any-ideas-why/70713/3 "2012-07-23T23:13:45Z")
Thats surely a new one. Where are you located? I guess all masonry is still moisture absorbant. ---
**Author:** ![bnesbitt](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/bnesbitt/32/56701_2.png) [@bnesbitt](https://forum.nachi.org/u/bnesbitt)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 7:57pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/exterior-tile-rusting-any-ideas-why/70713/4 "2012-09-10T19:57:15Z")
Could it be a surface problem, e.g. a rusty screw that once held a screen or pipe to the wall? If not I’d wet test that wall, and figure out how the big volume of water is getting behind the wall. Doing anything to that tile wall is going to be super expensive! ---
**Author:** ![dandersen](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/dandersen/32/59398_2.png) [@dandersen](https://forum.nachi.org/u/dandersen)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 9:17pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/exterior-tile-rusting-any-ideas-why/70713/5 "2012-09-10T21:17:27Z")
This is a bleed-through condition. There are numerous sources of water intrusion and formation of moisture within a wall to consider. There is a 100% chance that you have excessive moisture within the wall for one reason or another. How extensive is this problem throughout the entire building? If there is no surface penetration at the rust spots, then this is a bleedthrough penetration that requires follow-up analysis which is beyond the insured capacity of a home inspector. Give me a call, I do these all a time. More information is definitely required. ---
**Author:** ![jfunderburk](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jfunderburk/32/187920_2.png) [@jfunderburk](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jfunderburk)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 9:23pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/exterior-tile-rusting-any-ideas-why/70713/6 "2012-09-10T21:23:33Z")
Other things to consider: 1. Was there a drainage plane? Was a weep screed present? That’s a stucco wall with tile as the outer coat. A weep screed is required by the IRC. 2. There should be a backer rod and caulk present where the tile meets the window to prevent a “brick bind” condition which can crack the window frame and allow unnoticed water entry into the wall system. If you already inspected it once, it’s gonna be hard to call out that serious stuff now. I don’t envy you if that’s the case. ---
**Author:** ![ryoung7](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ryoung7/32/188798_2.png) [@ryoung7](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ryoung7)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 7:59pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/exterior-tile-rusting-any-ideas-why/70713/7 "2012-09-11T19:59:39Z")
This could be Pyrite staining.IMO Looking for more evidence… ---
**Author:** ![ryoung7](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ryoung7/32/188798_2.png) [@ryoung7](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ryoung7)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 8:47pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/exterior-tile-rusting-any-ideas-why/70713/8 "2012-09-11T20:47:58Z")
> [@rmeyer2](#): > > Hello, I performed a maintenance inspection on a home that had tiles used as siding and some of the tiles had rust stains. Any ideas what caused this and what would you recommend? Reuben have any photos from further back? ---
**Author:** ![kshepard](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/kshepard/32/59504_2.png) [@kshepard](https://forum.nachi.org/u/kshepard)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2012, 5:52pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/exterior-tile-rusting-any-ideas-why/70713/9 "2012-09-24T17:52:07Z")
Mineral occlusion if it was a stone tile.