Freaking out. What is this stuff?

Joey Lam · 09-16-2009, 06:03 PM

I recently realized when showering (it's a basement shower, so it's small) that towards the bottom of my shower there was some kind...substance that was growing, and it freaked me out the second I saw it. It was only on one side of the shower, the side of the shower head.

ImageShack(TM) slideshow

Sorry the last four images came out bad I turned off the flash but you basically get the idea...and it's disgusting to me. I don't want to shower in there anymore until I get rid of it, but I don't know if there's a specific way I should or if I should just...scrape it off?

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Ron Bibler · 09-16-2009, 06:19 PM

Your shower needs to be replaced... You have water that has been getting in behind the tiles into the walls. if you push on the walls do they move?

Remove and replace

Best

Ron
Santa Rosa California Home Inspection - Exterminating & Thermal Imaging

**Jerry Peck** · 09-16-2009, 06:25 PM

I would scrape it off then spray or brush bleach on the grout.

Looks like you have a moisture problem, possibly from lack of ventilation in that shower area, or possibly a leak above it.

You may or may not have to replace the board behind the tiles

Joey Lam · 09-16-2009, 06:32 PM

No, the tiles do not move, and there is no leak from the ceiling.

Thank you for the quick responses! I will remove it now... it IS mold, right? Or is it...something else?

Are there any specific procedures or certain ways I should handle this? If there are, then I'd like to know before I go at this...stuff.

**Jerry Peck** · 09-16-2009, 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by Joey Lam

it IS mold, right? Or is it...something else?

Looks like some type of fungi.

If you are concerned about it, wear rubber gloves and place it in a plastic bag.

No, if you are not concerned about it I am not saying to cook it up on the grill.

Ron Bibler · 09-16-2009, 06:40 PM

It is a fungi or type of mould. No big deal just replace the complete shower down to the studs. let that area AIR out for a week so it gets good and dry. Then paint the framing with any cheep paint. and install a new shower good to go.

Best

Ron
Santa Rosa California Home Inspection - Exterminating & Thermal Imaging

**wayne soper** · 09-16-2009, 06:57 PM

That stuff brings"THE BLOB" to mind.

**Scott Patterson** · 09-17-2009, 07:32 AM

Kind of look like oyster shrooms! Might be kind of tasty in a stir fry!

I bet that if you looked behind those tiles you will find an entire mushroom farm! Those little guys are feeding on cellulose, aka. Wood behind the tiles!

Ron Bibler · 09-17-2009, 08:08 AM

Walls of JELLO.

Best

Ron

**Jim Robinson** · 09-17-2009, 08:36 AM

Joey, I would bet that the shower head connection is not tight enough behind the wall. Whenever the shower is in use, there is likely some water dripping behind the tiles. The others are right. Removal and replace is your best bet.