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  1. #1
    Joey Lam's Avatar
    Joey Lam Guest

    Default Freaking out. What is this stuff?

    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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  2. #2
    Ron Bibler's Avatar
    Ron Bibler Guest

    Default Re: Freaking out. What is this stuff?

    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

    Last edited by Ron Bibler; 09-16-2009 at 07:41 PM.

  3. #3
    Join Date
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    Fletcher, NC
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    Default Re: Freaking out. What is this stuff?

    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

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  4. #4
    Joey Lam's Avatar
    Joey Lam Guest

    Default Re: Freaking out. What is this stuff?

    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.


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Fletcher, NC
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    Default Re: Freaking out. What is this stuff?

    Quote Originally Posted by Joey Lam View Post
    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.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  6. #6
    Ron Bibler's Avatar
    Ron Bibler Guest

    Default Re: Freaking out. What is this stuff?

    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

    Last edited by Ron Bibler; 09-16-2009 at 07:41 PM.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Connecticut
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    1,828

    Default Re: Freaking out. What is this stuff?

    That stuff brings"THE BLOB" to mind.


  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring Hill (Nashville), TN
    Posts
    5,851

    Default Re: Freaking out. What is this stuff?

    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!

    Scott Patterson, ACI
    Spring Hill, TN
    www.traceinspections.com

  9. #9
    Ron Bibler's Avatar
    Ron Bibler Guest

    Default Re: Freaking out. What is this stuff?

    Walls of JELLO.

    Best

    Ron


  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    New Mexico
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    1,352

    Default Re: Freaking out. What is this stuff?

    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.

    Jim Robinson
    New Mexico, USA

  11. #11
    matt fletcher's Avatar
    matt fletcher Guest

    Default Re: Freaking out. What is this stuff?

    Fungi of some type. Clean off with a grout cleaner containing bleach. Seal the grout. Was this an empty house?


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