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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
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    Pleasant Hill, Iowa
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    145

    Default Water Damage or Mold, maybe both

    This house has a new 2010 roof and a new ridge vent that was added. The underside of the roof deck looks black in some places and just looks like water damage, I guess it could be mold but not sure. What does it look like to you all?

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    Last edited by Dan Hagman; 12-12-2012 at 03:50 PM. Reason: correction of information
    Crawl Space Creeper
    Dan Hagman ACI
    ProSite Home Inspections
    Des Moines, Iowa

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Lake Barrington, IL
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    1,367

    Default Re: Water Damage or Mold, maybe both

    Between you and me - it's mold.
    For the report - it's a mold like substance.

    Eric Barker, ACI
    Lake Barrington, IL

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Caledon, Ontario
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    Default Re: Water Damage or Mold, maybe both

    Mould as the result of insufficient/or lack of ventilation at soffits and will most likely continue to be a problem even with a ridge vent.

    In addition it is most likely there is warm moist air entering the attic via the hatch, unsealed light fixtures, plumbing vent penetrations, improperly exhausting bathroom vents, activities in the house from cooking, laundry, aquariums, plants, habitants creating high humidity levels and lack of or use of exhaust fans, or house sealed to tightly.


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

    Default Re: Water Damage or Mold, maybe both

    I would call it staining. Stained by past mould growth, most likely.

    If the sheathing is dry, then there should be no more issue with it, but we have to explain that some people.

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

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
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    Pleasant Hill, Iowa
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    145

    Default Re: Water Damage or Mold, maybe both

    Thanks Eric, Raymond and John. I appreciate it.

    Dan Hagman ACI
    ProSite Home Inspections
    Des Moines, Iowa

  6. #6

    Default Re: Water Damage or Mold, maybe both

    Quote Originally Posted by Dan Hagman View Post
    Thanks Eric, Raymond and John. I appreciate it.
    These guys are correct. I see it quite a bit on older homes with little or no soffit/ridge vents. Especially in attic areas behind kneewalls. (Lots of humidity in the summer here in Charlotte)


    Andrew Constantine
    http://InspectProHomeInspections.com
    Charlotte NC Area Home Inspector


  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Shelby NC
    Posts
    129

    Default Re: Water Damage or Mold, maybe both

    What did the crawl look like? Lots of times wet crawl = wet attic. Of course ventilation is the key just looking at the photos


  8. #8
    Ron Murphy's Avatar
    Ron Murphy Guest

    Default Re: Water Damage or Mold, maybe both

    Mold for sure........ I have an attic way worst than the ones in the pictures that i am in the process of fixing with ventilation and insulation. Shouldn't say mold in the report though. Should say you suspect mold and refer to a mold professional.


  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Calgary, Alberta Canada
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    2

    Default Re: Water Damage or Mold, maybe both

    I agree, definitly mould, has anybody else considered this could possibly be a former growop, that's the only time I've ever come across anything as substantial as these pictures indicate.


  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
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    Caledon, Ontario
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    Default Re: Water Damage or Mold, maybe both

    As Ren pointed out there could be a wet basement/crawlspace issue.


  11. #11

    Default Re: Water Damage or Mold, maybe both

    Possible bath fan venting in attic?/ Report black looking material noted in attic framing have an applicable contractor evaluate and advise on this.


  12. #12
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Livermore, CA
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: Water Damage or Mold, maybe both

    Gentlemen, even if there isn't moisture present at the time of the inspection, it doesn't mean that there won't be in a couple weeks with the change of the weather. A small percentage of people are allergic to the mold spores and with the way Murphy's law works, it is probably your client's child or grandmother. It might be real or imagined but I don't want the headache of dealing with it down the road.

    That said, I do think it is poor ventilation (not enough vents or insulation covering them) and I would make note of that in the report.

    However, in California they are really litigious and so this is how I word it in a report and you are welcome to use part or all of it.

    There is evidence of what might be mold or mildew in the ..., which we are not qualified to identify or address. This has the potential of causing an allergenic response with a small percentage of people. We recommend an evaluation by a certified environmental specialist in the identification and remediation of mold and mildews.

    That's just my two cents worth.

    Brian Handy


  13. #13
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Caledon, Ontario
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    4,982

    Default Re: Water Damage or Mold, maybe both

    An informative read

    Indoor Fungal Habits

    Also, see other links at bottom of page.


  14. #14
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Livermore, CA
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: Water Damage or Mold, maybe both

    Hi Raymond,
    Its a good article and I would generally agree with it. I personally downplay the issue of mold and mildew in a home so as to keep my clients comfortable with the issue and not freaked out.
    I used to own a termite company here in California which is a very strict state in terms of reporting accurately and knowing the difference between wood destroying organisms and other fungi. I also studied plant pathogens and diseases in college which had rather lengthy studies and labs on molds and mildews. It has helped in allaying the fears of my clients.
    That said I will point out one of the paragraphs in the article that helps in understanding the regulation in this state. The article you sent has the following comment:
    "For most of the US, there are no valid or recognized certifications for “Mould Inspectors” (or other such terms as commonly used) since there is no governing body which accredits the certifications."
    I'm not sure whether the certification is mandated by this state but this is one of those states that regulates the presence of mold. I'm including a link to another article that points out the perceived problem with molds.
    Indoor Fungal Habits
    I don't pretend to know much about molds and mildews, but I know enough to steer clear of the legal system.
    Best Regards


  15. #15
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Atlanta, Georgia
    Posts
    1,088

    Default Re: Water Damage or Mold, maybe both

    In one picture you can just make out a gable vent. Another there is a ridge vent. The insulation appears to be blocking any potential soffit vents.

    The ridge vent is pulling air from the gable vent instead of the soffits. The attic ventilation system is broken. There may be additional problems already mentioned like fans venting into the attic, wet crawlspace, etc.

    Fix the ventilation.

    "The Code is not a peak to reach but a foundation to build from."

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