The Inspector's Journal Forums
Username:
Password:
Save Password


Join TIJ Forums
Lost Password?
Subscribe to TIJ's Newsletter

All Forums > Technical Forums > Attics & Insulation >

air movement?

Previous Topic: what is growing in my attic and why - Topic - Next Topic: Vapor barrier over flr joists, below sheathing-ok? New TopicReply to TopicShare Topic
Posted By  
View Profile
Severna Park, Maryland
Posts: 3458
Joined: May, 2007
Currently offline offline
  
Thread Start First Page
[#1] Posted: 04/08/2012 - 11:59:37 AM
Reply with Quote
See the staining in the pic. I suspect this is air leaking through from the soffit area.

I'll hit the area with bleach and then caulk the lines between sheathing and studs.

What else might I do to address this? I'm sure there are other areas but this is the wall that's open now.

Click to View

50.73 KB

John Dirks Jr - Arundel Home Inspection LLC - MD license: 29827
Maryland Home Inspectors - Maryland Home Inspection - Maryland Radon Testing - Baltimore County Rental Inspection
View Profile
Gaston, Oregon
Posts: 8089
Joined: Dec, 2003
Currently offline offline
  
air movement?
[#2] Posted: 04/08/2012 - 12:19:31 PM
Reply with Quote
The stains are the result of moisture the moved there from the inside, not the outside.

I'd skip the bleach and the caulk.

Jim Katen, Oregon
www.amipdx.com
View Profile
Chicago, IL
Posts: 9506
Joined: Dec, 2003
Currently offline offline
  
air movement?
[#3] Posted: 04/08/2012 - 12:44:42 PM
Reply with Quote
I don't think I've ever opened up a wall or ceiling in a bathroom when I didn't see something like this.

It's what happens when there's a vapor retarder (plywood) on the exterior in northern climes.

Kurt in Chicago

"If I smell it, it goes in the report".............Phillip Smith...2012


View Profile
Severna Park, Maryland
Posts: 3458
Joined: May, 2007
Currently offline offline
  
air movement?
[#4] Posted: 04/08/2012 - 3:47:43 PM
Reply with Quote
The insulation in the exterior wall was fiberglass batt about 2 inches thick and completely encased in paper. I've not seen this kind before. It was not fixed to the studs in any way. I suppose that has something to do with the staining.

John Dirks Jr - Arundel Home Inspection LLC - MD license: 29827
Maryland Home Inspectors - Maryland Home Inspection - Maryland Radon Testing - Baltimore County Rental Inspection
View Profile
Collins, NY
Posts: 3142
Joined: Apr, 2008
Currently offline offline
  
air movement?
[#5] Posted: 04/09/2012 - 06:33:42 AM
Reply with Quote
If you can stomach the cost is a great place for foam, but a buck a board foot is pretty steep for DIY insulation.

Skip cleaning it unless it's moldy. Insulate it with glass, it's cheap and it will outperform the rest of the envelope from the sounds of things. Enclose the exterior walls before you place the tub, it's the plenum space under the tub open to the stud cavity that caused that stain.


Tom

http://clearcreekhomeinspection.com/

Life is tough enough as it is, it's tougher when your stupid. Don't do stupid things.
Dr Joe Lstiburek
Friday Harbor, WA
Posts: 501
Joined: Apr, 2009
Currently offline offline
  
air movement?
[#6] Posted: 04/09/2012 - 08:03:01 AM
Reply with Quote
Agree with the above. Skip the bleach and don't bother caulking the studs to the sheathing, although it is worth finding air leakage in the room and caulking or foaming it, after all mechanicals and before insulation. Use a large box fan to suck air out of the house, then crawl around the remodel room and find all the places it's coming in. After drywall, crawl around again and foam all the holes for plumbing stubs, electrical boxes, etc. If you can keep air from blowing out of the room through those cracks, it won't get in your stud bays and cause that staining.
View Profile
Chicago, IL
Posts: 9506
Joined: Dec, 2003
Currently offline offline
  
air movement?
[#7] Posted: 04/09/2012 - 1:01:38 PM
Reply with Quote
Yes, the open wall under the tub is always the culprit. It's a good idea to put 1/2" foam on the inside of the wall to cover up that opening.


Kurt in Chicago

"If I smell it, it goes in the report".............Phillip Smith...2012


View Profile
Gaston, Oregon
Posts: 8089
Joined: Dec, 2003
Currently offline offline
  
air movement?
[#8] Posted: 04/09/2012 - 8:07:36 PM
Reply with Quote
Quote: Originally posted by John Dirks Jr

The insulation in the exterior wall was fiberglass batt about 2 inches thick and completely encased in paper. I've not seen this kind before. It was not fixed to the studs in any way. I suppose that has something to do with the staining.



That stuff was very common in my area in the '60s & early '70s. The paper on the inner side was coated with pitch or resin to make it a better vapor retarder. The paper on the outer side had no coating and wasn't as retarded.

Here's a pic from a rehab project. The old rockwool batts at the upper walls were wrapped with paper on both sides. The new fiberglass on the lower walls is unfaced.

Download Attachment: 60s Insulation.JPG
148.76 KB

Jim Katen, Oregon
www.amipdx.com
View Profile
Severna Park, Maryland
Posts: 3458
Joined: May, 2007
Currently offline offline
  
air movement?
[#9] Posted: 04/09/2012 - 8:44:04 PM
Reply with Quote
Nice pic Jim. I like that diagonal stud bracing all notched in like that.
John Dirks Jr - Arundel Home Inspection LLC - MD license: 29827
Maryland Home Inspectors - Maryland Home Inspection - Maryland Radon Testing - Baltimore County Rental Inspection
View Profile
Gaston, Oregon
Posts: 8089
Joined: Dec, 2003
Currently offline offline
  
air movement?
[#10] Posted: 04/09/2012 - 8:46:32 PM
Reply with Quote
Quote: Originally posted by John Dirks Jr

Nice pic Jim. I like that diagonal stud bracing all notched in like that.

That's how we built them when I was a kid working with a framing crew of exceedingly grumpy, exceedingly old Italian gentlemen. They thought that plywood was the Devil's sheathing and refused to build anything without let-in bracing.

Jim Katen, Oregon
www.amipdx.com
   
Previous Topic: what is growing in my attic and why - Topic - Next Topic: Vapor barrier over flr joists, below sheathing-ok? New TopicReply to TopicShare Topic
Jump To:
The Inspector's Journal Forums © 2002-2013 all topics or replies that are posted on The Inspector's Journal
are copyrighted material of the original author that posted the topic or reply.
Go To Top Of Page 
 
Pick an RSS Feed

The views expressed on this website are the views of the authors and
do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the sponsors.
© 2002-2013 Copyright DevWave Software Inc.
Find a Home Inspector

Powered By: Snitz Forums 2000