# White powdery joists and rafters **URL:** \ **Category:** Misc. Discussion\ **Created:** [February 9, 2021, 3:00pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/white-powdery-joists-and-rafters/191626 "2021-02-09T15:00:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lthompson7](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/lthompson7/32/202481_2.png) [@lthompson7](https://forum.nachi.org/u/lthompson7)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2021, 3:00pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/white-powdery-joists-and-rafters/191626/1 "2021-02-09T15:00:46Z")
Yesterday I was at an inspection and saw some white powdery substance on the rafters then saw the same in the crawlspace on some floor joists. The crawlspace floor was wet in a large portion. Any ideas what it is and if I should call it out in my report? ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/a/3/a3bf15ca5e62e71312bbed95d12ee2b852c6fc98.jpeg) ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/3/1/31edf0cec5df092557fdbc297ef8ee59a730699c.jpeg) ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/b/6/b69241141aeda2bc35b745d388203ba217c91272.jpeg) ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/9/e/9e27c3aca13b5eef935d547d8a86fc8b2fb4e639.jpeg) ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/4/b/4b3f24abc17215344b09f3b11a44eaf843aed938.jpeg) ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/f/4/f48e7cebe76289e9f33cdd66cdabce00491ff2f8.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![bteske](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/bteske/32/205760_2.png) [@bteske](https://forum.nachi.org/u/bteske)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2021, 3:14pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/white-powdery-joists-and-rafters/191626/2 "2021-02-09T15:14:46Z")
Looks like reused lumber, looks like white wash ---
**Author:** ![dwigger](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/dwigger/32/58670_2.png) [@dwigger](https://forum.nachi.org/u/dwigger)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2021, 3:42pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/white-powdery-joists-and-rafters/191626/3 "2021-02-09T15:42:21Z")
From NE Oklahoma it looks like form boards being re-used. Common practice around here. ---
**Author:** ![lthompson7](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/lthompson7/32/202481_2.png) [@lthompson7](https://forum.nachi.org/u/lthompson7)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2021, 3:49pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/white-powdery-joists-and-rafters/191626/4 "2021-02-09T15:49:54Z")
I was thinking that as well. But wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing something. Especially with the crawl being damp/wet. And it isn’t wide spread. The foundation walls were poured concrete with lumber forms. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![srechkin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/srechkin/32/180448_2.png) [@srechkin](https://forum.nachi.org/u/srechkin)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2021, 4:01pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/white-powdery-joists-and-rafters/191626/5 "2021-02-09T16:01:24Z")
Look at the pattern… do you see the well defined, abrupt and random, interruptions of the white substance? That does not normally happen with mold/mildew. Mold and mildew don’t just stop, they’ll have a more uniform spread pattern. ---
**Author:** ![lthompson7](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/lthompson7/32/202481_2.png) [@lthompson7](https://forum.nachi.org/u/lthompson7)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2021, 4:07pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/white-powdery-joists-and-rafters/191626/6 "2021-02-09T16:07:01Z")
Just verifying my thoughts. I appreciate the input. And tutorial, I love this forum for that purpose. Inspectors helping inspectors. I’ve only been doing inspections just under a year and always want to make sure I’m accurate in my thought process. Thank You for your response. ---
**Author:** ![dcossar1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/dcossar1/32/60056_2.png) [@dcossar1](https://forum.nachi.org/u/dcossar1)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2021, 4:22pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/white-powdery-joists-and-rafters/191626/7 "2021-02-09T16:22:21Z")
Just wondering what you said about the wet and lack of a vapour barrier? Cheers ---
**Author:** ![srechkin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/srechkin/32/180448_2.png) [@srechkin](https://forum.nachi.org/u/srechkin)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2021, 4:29pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/white-powdery-joists-and-rafters/191626/8 "2021-02-09T16:29:22Z")
What “moisture” issues, said the “realtor”!? 🤔 😃 ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/1/2/12ed730f239b71131f7aeb10f08ad909eb9fca55.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![lthompson7](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/lthompson7/32/202481_2.png) [@lthompson7](https://forum.nachi.org/u/lthompson7)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2021, 2:50am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/white-powdery-joists-and-rafters/191626/9 "2021-02-10T02:50:56Z")
I wrote the moisture issue up along with other moisture related issues. And recommended a moisture barrier along with a further evaluation and correction by a qualified professional.