Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 16, 1999 10:15pm | #1

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   George, are the stains that you describe, black by any chance?

   Is there a garage located in or attached to the house?

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   George_Davis | Mar 16, 1999 10:22pm | #2

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   Gabe - As a matter of fact, there is a garage under. Interresting. However, if the garage is the source, why is it not showing up at the top of the stairs leading down, why the tendancy for the stains to be in the areas of the joints? I've always thought that mildew would in fact rub off, but my customer doesn't think that is so.

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   Guest_ | Mar 16, 1999 10:48pm | #3

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   George the early signs of mildew will wipe off easily, the product of mildew, mold, will not.

   The airbourn organic material caused by car exhause, will settle in various parts of a house. Check the inside edges of the kitchen cupboards or in places where it's not likely to be wiped on a daily basis. If you see small deposits of black sooty material, then you have a more serious problem than mildew.

   This would be an indication that car fumes are entering the house. There's a million ways that fumes can enter. It can enter THROUGH the doorways via the clearance gaps in the top, sides and bottom. Look for tiny black smudges on the sides.

   Let me know if you found something.

4. 
   George_Davis | Mar 17, 1999 07:35pm | #4

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   Gabe - Though I haven't had a chance to get back over there and investigate your car fume theory, Any thoughts on the possible source of the mildew. Based on the appearance of the staining (little, faint dots), I'm thinking it is mildew, especially since you confirmed that it does wipe off. Again, there are no leaks, it is the first floor of a finished Cape, presumably the cavity above is un-insulated. Why the problem now, 20+ years after the house was built. No new windows, insulation, bathrooms, heating system? I appreciate your continued advice. Thank you.

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   Guest_ | Mar 17, 1999 08:15pm | #5

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   Hi George,

   If I read this right, we have a cape cod with a finished 2nd floor, no insulation would have been installed between the floors and the "mildew" is in two of the first level rooms, unrelated.

   Is the stains located at the corner of the room, at an exterior wall? If so is there any signs outside of siding deteriation? If moisture is penetrating from outside, drywall, being organic will absorb and show signs of mold. The only thing that bothers me with your case is that normally the mold will be either a pink or green dotting. When you get a chance check the conditions outside.

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   George_Davis | Mar 17, 1999 09:04pm | #6

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   Hello Gabe - Nope...Stains are pretty much centered in the affected rooms. I will check out the siding, because it would'nt suprise my in the least if some or all of it is ready for replacement (cedar shingles). When I was there looking at it originally, it was after dark. Thanks for you continued help.

7. 
   Guest_ | Mar 18, 1999 01:16am | #7

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   George, here's another stab in the dark,any chance that there's a water or drain pipe elbow or joint over the location in question?

8. 
   Joel_Schnedler | Mar 18, 1999 01:58am | #8

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   I have a similar problem with the ceiling and some walls of the finished basement in my home in central Missouri. The staining only appears at the taped joints between the drywall sheets. We cleaned these areas with a bleach/water solution, but the stains returned in about 30-45 days. The basement is dry & we run a dehumidifier most of the time. We even tryed a stain-blocking primer (Kilz) in a couple of places, but even this didn't work. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

1. 
   Jamie_Watson | Mar 18, 1999 02:34am | #9

   *George Sounds like you need to determine if the staining is mildew or not. Dab a 30% chlorox in water solution with a corner of a paper towel or sponge on a spot to see if the disappear. Don't scrub, just getting the mildew wet with the solution will clear up the spots usually. A small spray bottle also works well.A drop or two is enough to tell you what you need to know, just watch where you might drip or overspray the stuff. Moisture problems often affect taped joints more than surrounding drywall. Are there any signs of water damage like cracks along the edge of the tape or the tape lifting off? Is the drywall sound? Any saging, crumbly spots or inflexible hard areas? Any water stains? Look closely for even the faintest brown streaking. If it does turn out to be mildew, it must be completely cleaned off before repainting or else it will always return and will be almost impossible to get rid of. Appling just enough bleach with a garden sprayer (with eye protection) is the easy part, rinsing off the bleach it the messy part. Good luck

9. 
   Guest_ | Mar 18, 1999 04:02am | #10

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   I'm willing to bet Gabe's next paycheck it's mildew. And...it's only at the taped joints in the drywall. My theory is that the taping mud has enough startch in it to support mildew.

   But, that's just a symptom, the real culprit is moisture penetration. I would think it is not condensation, but a water leak. The problem is how to inspect between floors while minimizing the demo you may have before you. Maybe a MC probe stuck into the ceiling.

   I have done many home repairs, my experience is that moisture can show up far from the source. Good luck, detective.

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   Guest_ | Mar 18, 1999 04:39am | #12

   *RichWhat's this "I'm willing to bet Gabe's next paycheck" white man.How do you know it's worth the time or effort.I might be working for peanuts.

10. 
    George_Davis | Mar 18, 1999 04:39am | #11

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    An old customer of mine asked me to stop by an take a look at her ceilings, though not related to anything I have done at her home (we think!) She has begun to notice some type of staining on her ceilings. It looks like mildew, but it wipes off with a tissue. We don't think that it is smoke from the fireplace because the firplace is at the other end of the house, and doesn't get used that often. Also, they don't smoke. There is no source of leaks from above, especially since the problem is on the first floor of a finished Cape. The staining is most prominant at the drywall joints in the ceiling. The house is about 20 years old, and the the ceilings have not been painted in recent years. Funny thing is that it is appearing in two separate, rooms, and nowhere else that we can see. The upstairs bathrooms are not in the area. Furthermore, one of the rooms is an "open" livingroom, and the other is a den, with a door and two double-hung windows. the heat in the house is Hotwater baseboard, fired by gas. Any ideas?