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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    BC Canada
    Posts
    368

    Default Is it the moisture stain?

    The pics are the garage attic insulating the living space next to it. I am wondering these lower part of fiber glass batt moisture stained. It is dry at inspection. But where is that much moisture coming from?

    Thanks

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    No. San Diego Co., CA
    Posts
    562

    Default Re: Is it the moisture stain?

    It actually looks more like the batts were acting as an air filter as opposed to a wet condition. However, unless there is other evidence of moisture i.e. discoloration of the surface behind and or above the batts, on the framing members or on the drywall below in the ceiling area, I would suspect it may have been installed that way. Who knows what the installers did or where the batts came from - they could have been laying in a truck during a rainstorm for a few days. They may have also been intalled prior to the roof being completely buttoned up during construction.

    ip


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Lake Barrington, IL
    Posts
    1,367

    Default Re: Is it the moisture stain?

    It's just dirty and dust - no worries.

    Eric Barker, ACI
    Lake Barrington, IL

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    BC Canada
    Posts
    368

    Default Re: Is it the moisture stain?

    Thank you guys. I thought it was dirt. But I report it kinds of moisture stain & ask the owner. Obviously this is a dumb reporting.


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Southern Vancouver Island
    Posts
    4,607

    Default Re: Is it the moisture stain?

    It's OK to be suspicious, because there could have been a problem there. The fact is, we don't know what caused the stains. Black stain from mould will occur on wood or drywall, but you won't see it growing happily on fiberglass - no food there.

    John Kogel, RHI, BC HI Lic #47455
    www.allsafehome.ca

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Lake Barrington, IL
    Posts
    1,367

    Default Re: Is it the moisture stain?

    Quote Originally Posted by John Kogel View Post
    Black stain from mould will occur on wood or drywall, but you won't see it growing happily on fiberglass - no food there.
    Actually, mold/fungi can grow on any surface that has residue or dirt on it. So, in Peter's photos mold growth is certainly possible with the proper conditions. But I still would not worry about it.

    Eric Barker, ACI
    Lake Barrington, IL

  7. #7

    Default Re: Is it the moisture stain?

    This condition is not uncommon in attics (common walls or ceilings) and usually means there is air leaking through from inside the house. The fiberglass acts like a furnace filter and catches dirt, soot or other "impurities". Usually there is some moisture coming through from the living space which helps these impurities adhere to the fiberglass. This is a clue that you have a house leaking air through gaps around outlets, switches, light fixtures, etc. need to be sealed. This type of staining is one of the clues an energy auditor looks for.

    Brent Lerwill, Coos Bay, Oregon

  8. #8

    Default Re: Is it the moisture stain?

    Was there a bathroom on the other side?
    That could be behind a fiberglass tub/shower where there is no sheetrock & as others have stated is from air infiltration.

    Clarksville Home Inspection
    JW Goad
    TN License #307 | KY License #2402

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    2,365

    Default Re: Is it the moisture stain?

    I've seen insulation come right out of the bag looking like that too so you never really know.

    Funny staining/marks on insulation catch my eye all the time. There's a funny imperfection that occurs fairly often that makes it look wet but it's not. I think when they are spinning (or whatever they do to the fiberglass) sometimes pieces get clumped together.... kind of like when you make spaghetti and some noodles stick together. The result is a darker pink color in a spot or two.... which looks wet from a distance.


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