Mold or Efflorescence?
I’m attaching a photo of a mysterious substance on a wood door frame I noticed at an open house this weekend. Substance is while, dried, and caked on – with brown staining. Anyone have thoughts about what it is? The apt is 4th floor, so it’s not basement moisture. It’s on a wood door frame…
I’m attaching a photo of a mysterious substance on a wood door frame I noticed at an open house this weekend. Substance is while, dried, and caked on – with brown staining. Anyone have thoughts about what it is?
The apt is 4th floor, so it’s not basement moisture. It’s on a wood door frame between a bathroom and the kitchen – and from the photo it looks like the source of moisture is under the floor. Maybe a pipe leak?
I’m interested in the apartment for a lot of other reasons, but this is daunting. However, I have no idea how serious it is. A friend suggested I ask the sponsor to pay for a mold/moisture specialist of my choosing before making an offer or going into contract. Think that will work? (Condo building has 5 avail units and only one is in contract, so sponsor may agree to get another into contract.)
Ditto. Water damage.
yes, water leak, likely traveling below and may be coming from above. Plumber, not mold specialist needed.
Please throw some bleach on that after your drill out the damaged wood/compound. I’ve read that glycolic acid/antifreeze will kill dry rot. Busted pipe or perhaps steam from heat? Either way no good!
Dane
It is a water problem. Plaster expands, flakes and looks like cottage cheese when it gets wet. It could be a drainage pipe or some other type of water leak depending on where in the building this photo is.
Clearly a water problem. Yes, insist on a look at the unit below, bring in an inspector. What is really baffling is that the seller is showing the unit with this blatant problem.
efflorescence is a reaction that typically only happens to masonry. This is mold. As mentioned, a mold specialist is useless here. You would need to open up this wall with a plumber. If possible, check the same area in the floor below for further water damage.
This is classc water damage with mold. I would not waste your time with a mold specialist as the mold is there because of the water damage. I would be looking to address the source and extent of the water leaking.
there is a major leak in the wall…walk away