Most black discoloration on wood during construction is harmless but if it is extensive and spreading you should investigate it.

Here is a link that might be useful: advice from a mold investigation company

Dear Mightyanvil,

Thanks for your reply. The framing was beautiful, all the plywood used was clean. I was happy that my GC didn't buy the cheap ones. However, due to the rain & moist, now some parts of the wood trun black..I am freaking out.

I will call for mold specialist this morning...not worth the risk.

Thanks again.

just so you know, ALL HOUSES HAVE MOLD. most mold is nothing to worry about. yes, there are some molds tha twill cause you harm, and yes you should be concerned if you have one of these types.

don't panic. if you want to call in a pro, do it. but demand they give you written info on the mold type you have and what remediation(if any) is necessary. if they say you need to remediate, get a second opinion.

While it's true that "all houses have mold," I think we have to distinguish between mold spores being present--which is natural and unavoidable--and mold growing where it shouldn't because of improper construction.

I won't venture any guesses about THIS construction project, but just in general, if a house leaks, it's a defect. It's not housecleaning skills nor is it because "mold is everywhere," it's because the house leaks and that's wrong. Even if you don't believe mold can harm you, it's ROTTING the material it's on, which often means the material is compromised. Again, I'm not saying that's the case here, but it needs to be checked out.

If you determine the house is defectively built, the cause must be addressed or the mold will keep coming back. Ruined material has to be replaced. Some wood may be cleanable but really porous material can't be cleaned, e.g. insulation. Also, you can't just spray bleach on mold, as that still doesn't address the cause/leak.

While I have not personally been sickened by mold, I know people who have. I would not chance it and certainly would not take a builder's word for it that it was "nothing to worry about." I hope that all it is, is wood turning color but if there's mold, the cause needs to be fixed properly before you can expect it to end.

Thanks all for your input, I really appreciate it.

I was panic last night, and could not sleep at all. We put four fans in the kitchen/family room to dry the wood and will continue to do so until the wood is dry. My GC is so irresponsible. We had to call him back several times during winter storm (rain for about a week straight)to cover the area well. There was leak in my family/kitchen on and off. This is our first remodel and things just not going as well as expected. I walked thru the area with my husband last night, and noted that some pieces (maybe less 5% of the wood used in framing) of wood got black stuff over it...not sure what it is. I contacted a company to come out to inspect tomorrow, so I am anxious. MY GC called this afternoon and told me not to worry. He went to lumber yard and was told it is not uncommon. The lumber yard people said they are lumber mold, not serious. I don't trust my GC or the lumber yard. I want a trained professional to inspect and test the black stuff. I won't allow my GC to clean the wood until the report is ready for review.

Thanks again...Gardenweb is the best place to get advise.

Better to be safe than sorry. Lumber mold is black but in it's severity can form a white almost spider web looking substance that might be harmless to humans, but can lead to rot, so in any event, should be dealt with.

Once the moisture is taken care of, the mold will not have the right environment to grow, don't worry so much! Are you even dried in yet?

FYI- I would probably call the company that's coming out regarding your fans. All the companies I have ever dealt with avoid all fans so not to blow potentially dangerous mold spores throughout the house. They can then get picked up by the HVAC system and make the problem worse.

The inspector came out yesterday, and checked the moist level for the framing...yes, they are wet! He also took sample of the black stuff, but didn't seem concern.
Our best guess right now is lumber mold, but will have to wait for result to come back tomorrow.

I checked with a restoration company, and briefly explained our situation. The technician suggested to use de-humidifier to dry the room. The cost would be about $2500..lumber mold removal will be extra. I will wait for the result to come back before taking further action.
My contract suggested to use propane heater to dry the room, I don't think it is a good idea. Now, the weather has been beautiful..it is sunny and temperature is about 50's. I have all the windows and doors open all day long...
Does anyone know how long it takes to dry the wood? Two weeks? three weeks if the weather stays dry and sunny?

Thanks!

gowelch, not sure what part of norcal you are in (I am an hour NE of Redding), but we got caught in this latest series of storms with our pants down. we had about 1/3 of the roof done and got soaked. Everything held up great, with just some very slight wood mold and some mold on the ground in our crawl space. For us it was too cold (below freezing) for most mold to grow. We also have super dry conditions when it is not raining (0-10% humidity). Things will dry out fast. Propane heaters will increase heat and humidity, not always the best thing for dealing with mold.

Depending on how low your humidity is, wood can dry very fast, as in a couple of days to a week as long as there is airflow.

agree w/ mikeyvon, let it dry out naturally w/ plenty of air circulation, no heaters. If you need air flow in interrupted areas, use a fan(s) moving the existing air, not heated.

Thanks all! I live one hour south of San Francisco. Just check the weather channel,it is sunny and about 46 degrees. The humidity is about 96%. The next 10 days should be dry, so I am hoping that the wood will dry natually. We had a big storm, and rain came in due to the carelessness of my contractor. The new roof was put on last Monday. We need ventilation, so we have kept the windows and patio doors open during the day...We are willing to wait for two weeks to allow the framing to dry.
Then, hire a company to come out to remove lumber mold (if that is what we have) when the wood is dry. We won't allow the GC to cover the wall up w/o another testing...
It is very difficult situation for us. We have spent a lot of money on this remodeling...and my GC (came recommended) just not a very smart guy. My huband ended up doing what my GC is suppose to do...I am not sure what we are paying the GC for. If we do need to hire a company to remove the mold, I will ask the GC to eat the cost. It is his fault, not ours. We have repeatedly asked him to cover the roof well to avoid any problem, but he is just very sloppy.

Thanks again! Will come back tomorrow after the report is out.

Another update..City inspector came out to inspect the roof, and signed off on it. While the inspector was there, my husband asked him to take a look at the framing (probably still a bit wet) for the kitchen & family room, and asked if we should be concern. The inspect said it is very common that the wood is wet, and the black stuff on the wood is no big deal. At this time of the year, all the new constructions are like this. He assured us not to worry.. and went on to say that no contractor will do anything about the situation. Once the insulation and drywall are up, the wood will dry over the next few months with proper ventilation. Absoluately no worry..???
Now I wonder if I overreacted?

You have definitely NOT overreacted to your mold situation. Remember that lumber companies and contractors have a vested interest in making people think mold is nothing to worry about. And many mold inspectors downplay the danger because that way builders will hire them. We heard the same thing you were told by our builder and our inspectors (who are ALSO friends of the builders). I have no idea what they think "lumber" mold is... Mold is mold, and it's DANGEROUS. The called our "sapstain." My two children only lived 5 months in a moldy house and both were neurologically damaged. One is still in special ed five years later. It looked like autism. I know more about mold and treatment than any layman should have to. Your project needs to be properly remediatedÂ-blocked off, HVAC, wood treatment-Âby people who know what they're doing. Call a toxic tort lawyer for the name of a good mold tester and remediator. Once the mold is dry, it goes to spore form which is the most dangerous. Fans is a DISASTER. Visit mold sites and sickbuilding chatboards to find people to advise you. I ONLY wish someone had properly warned me before my children were injured! PS. We sued our builder and won the fourth personal injury mold verdict in the country. Twelve people heard three weeks of testimony. I'd give all the money back to have our health back.

Only a literal handful of personal injury mold cases have been decided in favour of the Plaintiffs on the basis of actual injury, as opposed to other grounds.

I'd be curious to see some info on the above poster's case. "Sympathy" verdicts of juries are not uncommon and prove nothing.

Overreaction?

As say, Mold is mold, and it's DANGEROUS.

But I'm no expert on mold and I didn't see the poster's home .

Here is a link that might be useful: Plaintiffs Fail to Meet Burden in Residential Mold Case

Dear Gowelch,

I was forwarded this information. I am sorry to hear of the moisture problem and resultant mold in your new construction. I am also sorry to hear you are now caught in the mold game - where self-professed "experts" will give you a wide variety self generated "expert" advice.

Here is mine: While there is certainly no need to panic, it does sound like you have possible cause for concern. The concept that "lumber mold" is innocuous, is merely a concept promoted by the lumber industry. Mold is mold. Mold can be harmful to human health. Period.

If it were me and I wanted to know what I should do, I would join a chatgroup called IEQuality. It is a professional board made up of industrial hygienists, remediators, microbiologists, etc. They are a highly ethical and educated group of IAQ professionals who are always willing to help. Post your questions there. I am certain they can direct you to someone in the Bay area that will know how to help you. And what is the best direction for you to take.

In the meantime, if you or your family start to experience symptoms such as coughs, difficulty taking deep breaths, fatigue, unreasonable irritability, etc. then be aware that these are symptoms indicative of harmful airborne mold spores. If this is the case for you, then this is nothing to mess around with. No need to panic, but you do need to understand that when mold is a problem, it can be a REAL problem. Don't panic. But do be aware.

Best of luck to you!