No roof leak, no a/c in attic, but seepage marks on walls?

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#1

Originally Posted By: HeidiKM
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I’m writing about a mysterious condition on the interior walls of a split level house outside Chicago.


On the inward-facing surfaces of nearly every wall which surrounds the central staircase, there is significant evidence of seepage (looks like a jagged water line that extends about two feet from the ceiling) coming down from the top. The bottom edge of some of these areas are "tacky" -- not wet, but slightly sticky, like whatever is making its way through the wall has an oily or sticky component.

There is no staining on the ceiling, nor is there any staining on the reverse sides of the walls in question (those that face away from the staircase into the rooms that surround it.)

There is no evidence in the overhead crawlspace of water infiltration from the roof and no a/c or plumbing lines that would give off condensation. The only equipment above the ceiling is an old whole-house fan, which (a) has not been used in at least two years and (b) is not central to the affected area.

Any ideas at all about what might be causing this?? Any suggestions would be very welcome and greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

#2

Originally Posted By: jbehling
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Is there a lot of moisture in the house? How old is the house?

#3

Originally Posted By: HeidiKM
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The house is 38 years old with only seasonal moisture issues (i.e., when it is very hot and humid outside, the lower level gets a bit muggy.)


As for other moisture, there is a bathroom directly off the staircase in question and the door is normally left open during showers. However, this bathroom is only used for one short shower daily and has been used in this way for the past two years.

I find it hard to imagine so little moisture could cause so much staining, but I suppose anything is possible. Have you seen this kind of thing before?

#4

Originally Posted By: dvalley
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Heidi,


Sounds to me like someone was removing old wallpaper from the staircase area with a hot steamer and the leftover paste from the wallpaper remained and dripped down from the top half of the wall.

Was this wall recently done over?

--
David Valley
MAB Member

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

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

#5

Originally Posted By: ekartal
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Heidi,


Water can seep into the area where lower level roof meets siding. Often the result of inadequate or missing flashing. Just a possibility.


Erol Kartal
ProInspect Inc.

#6

Originally Posted By: mpatton
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Heidi,


Has this been occurring only in recent weeks?

Have the temperature been consistently high?

What kind of attic/roof ventilation do you have?

How many years have you lived in the home?

--
Michael Patton
AA Home Inspection
Serving Northern KY & Greater Cincinnati OH

AA@AAHomeInspection.net
www.AAHomeInspection.net

#7

Originally Posted By: HeidiKM
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My answers, in order of inquiry?


1) There's no indication that I can see of there having been wallpaper in that stairwell before, but anything's possible. In any event, there definitely hasn't been any activity of that kind in the past two years.

2) The majority of the area involved does not correspond with any roofing valleys, areas where siding meets house, etc.

3) We first noticed it on one wall (the one closest to the bathroom) several weeks ago. This past weekend, we noticed that it was actually ringing the stairwell area -- on virtually every surface, including stains that continue to both sides of interior doorways. As for how long any of it has been there, I honestly couldn't say, because it's not an area that draws attention.

We had a few days of very hot/humid weather about a week ago, but the summer has been quite mild overall. There was a huge rainstorm right before we first noticed the problem, but my husband went into the crawlspace above the affected area during and after the rain and everything was bone dry, including the insulation.

We have "forget me nots" in the roof for attic ventilation.

We've lived in the house for almost exactly two years -- we moved in at the end of August 2002.


I hope my replies have been useful in making sense of this. Thanks to you all for your responses and questions.

#8

Originally Posted By: lfranklin
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Let me give this a try.


Does the bathroom have a mechanical vent and if so how is it vented?

If not does it have a window?

#9

Originally Posted By: HeidiKM
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The bathroom has a mechanical vent (which I never use unless I am showering with the door closed) and a large casement window (which I leave open as weather permits.)

#10

Originally Posted By: jbehling
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Without seeing it, it sounds like moisture marks from the bathroom/ humid weather. As for the staining… are you a smoker or have past owners been smokers?

#11

Originally Posted By: ekartal
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Heidi,


Are you near Schaumburg? I can take a quick look if you are interested. No charge, just referrals. ![icon_smile.gif](upload://b6iczyK1ETUUqRUc4PAkX83GF2O.gif)

Erol Kartal
info@proinspect1.com

#12

Originally Posted By: HeidiKM
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1) No smokers in the house currently, and I’m pretty sure the prior owners (who were there for 12 years) didn’t smoke either.


2) I'm in Glen Ellyn, which is about 12 miles south of Schaumburg.

#13

Originally Posted By: ekartal
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I’m in Glen Ellyn frequently. E-mail your phone if interested.


Erol Kartal
info@proinspect1.com

#14

Originally Posted By: HeidiKM
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Erol Kartal came out this morning and was incredibly prompt, very pleasant and eager to help. In addition to trying to determine a definitive cause for the marks (which unfortunately remain somewhat of a mystery despite his best efforts), he gave the house a once-over from top to bottom and pointed out other things that needed attention.


He did rule out some of the possible sources of the moisture, and it looks like an appointment with a roofing contractor is the next step.

Thanks to everyone for their input and special thanks to Erol for going the extra mile (or 12!) to come from Schaumburg and take a look at the problem in person.

#15

Originally Posted By: kbowles
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eusa_clap.gif Good job Erol!!


As far as the stains go....I saw this in a movie once, where stains were showing up in the staircase....what was that movie called?????? OH yea, The Shining.
Sometimes moisture can come from strange places and be hard to locate the source, good luck in your search.

Kevin

#16

Originally Posted By: ekartal
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Thanks Kevin,


The prime suspect was a poor vent flashing. Roof had seen better days so I didn’t walk it. Attic view restricted to 10%. No charges filed.


Erol Kartal

#17

Originally Posted By: Brian A. Goodman
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Good show Erol, that was big of you. eusa_clap.gif