HELP!!! MOLD in bsmt of NEW CONSTRUCTION! What could be the cause??
Sharon Deuschle
5 years ago
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David Cary
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoRelated Discussions
"Wet wood" causing attic mold? Ever heard of this?
Comments (22)Renovator, was a comment removed? Because other than where you started, down, I don't see anybody ridiculing (or maybe you were talking about me? where I specifically said, IMO, and specifically addressed the question of whether or not they should have walked away?) Now, it has been side-tracked. But I don't think it had been until that point. Your answers on this forum are very helpful, but sometimes very objective. This person specifically asked both an objective and subjective question. They will get subjective answers. This person also has not stated, at all, where in the world they are located. And, whether mold might be a normal thing in their environment (to which I'd say, mold is everywhere, even deserts will have some sort of fungus growing there. It is the nature of nature). To say that those with asthma, etc could have problems even if it is non-toxic, while true, is misleading. Those folks will have problems no matter how their house is constructed in certain environments/ localities in the world. The OP said there was nothing found wrong with the ventilation and the suspected source was prior to the build and final construction. HOW MUCH MOLD (do you have a picture)? Finally, the usual way to remediate mold is actually to not use bleach (only). Mold remediation companies know what to use and would be better to hire than trying to DIY it and assume that you know that "bleach kills everything". I do second the suggestion to get a second opinion from another mold remediation company. (Just remember they will be interested in selling their services to you). However, I suspect at this point, in order to do that, you will need to re-enter contract with these sellers (to get access to their attic) and they may not trust you. Finally, you may want to get the RE opinions on this matter in the buying and selling forum since at least one of your questions pertains to future resale value....See MoreMOLD all over brand new construction!
Comments (57)Please update on how the problem was handled! I have me own tale of woe and hopefully can be an example of what can happen if you move into a house that has a mold problem. My husband, my son and I moved into our brand new home in Jan 2016. Literally a month later I began having issues with what I thought could be liver (nausea, pain in my right side, my right side under rib cage felt as if it were swollen) and I went to doctors, of course there was nothing wrong with me, but then my skin went bonkers, became red, so irritated that smiling hurt! And I won't even bring up all the countless respiratory problems! I've lost appetite, lost weight, but then suddenly gained it all back plus some more. My skin problems became a daily struggle... I could go on and on! To make a long story short, we're moving out in December! I can't wait! There's black colored mold seeping through cracks in shower stall of our master bathroom and I haven't been sleeping in my bedroom because of the smell. We're foreclosing. F this noise!! We wanted this house so much and were so excited to own a brand new home not knowing how miserable it can make us! (I have allergies and was hoping a brand new house would mean clean environment for me) OP, protect your kiddos, stop this train before it derails! And I know how you feel about your son's kindergarten, it's such special time for him and you and now it's all uncertain and it causes anxiety because you want to provide stability for your child. My little boy started kindergarten too in August and we're going to transfer him to a different school once we move. I can't wait til we're out of this house! Please get an attorney involved to help you get through this nightmare without losing the battle. And please update on the progress and I wish you happy ending!!!...See MoreMold in New Construction Interior
Comments (29)@joseph_corlett People have mold panic. Folks are right to be concerned with anything in their homes that may affect occupant health and safety. To be sure, lumber yard mold is common on framing materials and is inactivated after the home is dried in. Most folks will understand that if the builder will take time to explain and a simple internet search can confirm that no treatment is typically required. Pull-down stairs, however, are not typically stored outdoors like framing lumber is, and not installed until after drywall-- so they never get wet. Indeed, by the time interior trim, interior doors and pull-down stairs are being installed, the interior environment of the home should be conditioned using either portable equipment or the home's HVAC system. If drying in a home were the only condition required to prevent mold, it would not have taken up residence on the OP's pull-down stairs. While we don't have all of the information, it's not that difficult for anyone with knowledge of basic physics or building science to connect the dots. The photos, combined with the OP's description that spray foam was installed under the roof deck, that there is mold on the rafters, and that the HVAC system is not operational points to a moisture problem in the (unvented) attic. I suspect your physics is fuzzy, so let's take a look at what's going on. Hot air rises. Moist air rises (it's less dense than dry air.) In a home, that means moisture and heat can accumulate in the attic volume. Designers can address those conditions by choosing to either vent the attic or to create a "conditioned" attic. The building code doesn't dictate the choice, but it does provide specific requirements to be met in each case. The designer of the OP's home has opted for a "conditioned" attic. I'm not sure which code is in effect in Texas at the moment, but in the 2018 IRC, the requirements for unvented attics are listed in section R806.5 Among other things, the code requires the installation of a vapor diffusion port at the highest point in the attic and that conditioned air be supplied at a rate greater than or equal to 50 cfm/1,000 sq. ft. of attic area. We don't know if the first condition has been met, but we know that the second hasn't. Without the supply of conditioned air, the relative humidity in the attic is obviously sufficient to allow mold growth. Spray foam insulation is wonderful stuff, but it is unforgiving of installation errors. In this case, some form of temporary attic ventilation should have been provided and the installation of spray foam in the attic should have been deferred until the HVAC system was operational. Getting the HVAC system operational should halt the propagation of mold and an expert can be consulted with regard to any abatement. At today's prices for spray foam insulation, a conditioned attic is a significant investment. Homeowners will be well served to ensure their builder knows how to construct one without causing problems like the OP's....See MoreMold - New Construction
Comments (11)Thank you all for responding! So the gutters and downspouts have not yet been installed. I'm told that will be happening soon. Final grading has also not taken place yet, although they have done the initial grading. I've attached a picture I took last summer before they backfilled the foundation with gravel and dirt. The black paint was a thick rubber like material that was sprayed on the exterior foundation walls and then the insulation was applied (see attached picture - sorry I don't know what products were actually used). The interior basement walls were insulated with R-13 faced fiberglass insulation. The builder did bring over a heavy duty dehumidifier yesterday and the basement felt less damp after just a few hours. This finished space with the visible mold sits next to our unfinished basement. About six weeks ago we did notice that the basement wall was wet (picture attached is the unfinished space that sits next to the finished room where we found the mold). When we brought it up at that time, the builder said it was just because we didn't have gutters and downspouts yet and not to be concerned. Obviously fast forward six weeks and now I see that we do need to be concerned. Does the drywall and insulation need to be removed in that room? Do we need to contact a mold remediation company? I appreciate your help!...See Morehomechef59
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoUser
5 years agoSharon Deuschle
5 years agoUser
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoDavid Cary
5 years agojaimeeap
5 years agoNikki Lee
5 years agomainenell
5 years agohomechef59
5 years ago
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