Chad Fabry Posted August 4, 2005 Report Share Posted August 4, 2005 The plywood and some of the rafters looked almost burnt in this attic. There are some surfaces that are kind of crumbly. There were four roof vents each about 3/4 of a square foot venting the 1,000 square foot or so attic space. Before I report that the discoloration is caused by condensation/ dirt accumulation from inadequate ventilation I'd like to hear some other opinions. The house is just shy of 20 years old. Download Attachment: erinatticsmall.JPG 39.65 KB Download Attachment: erinatticsmall2.JPG 48.68 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Baird Posted August 4, 2005 Report Share Posted August 4, 2005 The venting you describe sounds marginal, especially if they are stationary and not helped by eaves venting. Otherwise, might it be smoke damage? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted August 4, 2005 Report Share Posted August 4, 2005 Black mold from condensation & lack of ventilation. The monster amount down in the soffits is the tip off; soffit vents are blocked & no baffles. Time to brush up the mold boilerplate..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted August 4, 2005 Report Share Posted August 4, 2005 Hi, I don't know that I'd go so far as to call it mold. When you tell someone it's mold they automatically think "toxic mold" when it's anything but. It makes more sense to call it mildew and Kurt is right - insufficient air movement and that insulation against the underside of the roof is causing it. Moisture-laden air is migrating up through that loose fill and when it reaches the underside of that cold roof is condenses and feeds the spore. Increase air movement from the perimeter by adjusting the height of the insulation, increase the amount of intake air and it will probably arrest. They could try using some JoMax on that gable end wall to see if it disappears and then, if so, treat the underside of the roof. Look for additional moisture-laden air sources - open wire holes in plates, no gasket around the access, leaky outlets and switch plates, fans venting directly into the attic. Stop the source of the moisture and it's licked. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Fabry Posted August 4, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2005 Thanks, I was pretty sure it was inadequate venting but I always feel better about making assertions after I get the opinions of smart people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted August 4, 2005 Report Share Posted August 4, 2005 Mike's right; call it mold only if you want to ignite a firestorm. "Black mold" is a generic term that describes (probably) a few thousand mold types; mildew is a safer term. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homnspector Posted August 4, 2005 Report Share Posted August 4, 2005 Around here I occasionally run into the older fire retardant plywood which has turned black and chalky from prolonged attic heat due to lack of venting and the chemical treatment. We have more heat and less moisture in AZ but I would hesitate to call it mold or mildew without further checking. Also, could be the rooftop vents were installed later. The way they build around here, that amount of ventilation is typical. Has anybody actually seen the recommended 1 Sq. Ft. / 150 sq.ft. of venting? I don't think I ever have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Baird Posted August 4, 2005 Report Share Posted August 4, 2005 homnspec, remember that I-code allows NFA reduction to 1/300 if half the area is in upper one-third of attic height and is assisted by inflow at eaves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted August 4, 2005 Report Share Posted August 4, 2005 I've seen problems even when there is the 1:150; I think the larger problem is bypass & leakage. Just going by ratio's doesn't always cut it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Knight Posted August 5, 2005 Report Share Posted August 5, 2005 If there is a large amount of air leakage from conditioned space in the home into the attic adding additional ventilation will not help. Two places I frequently find large bypasses at are around chimneys and in soffits. When I see signs of condensation at the eaves it is frequently from a soffit that was framed prior to drywalling and contains a large bypass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nspctrdan Posted August 13, 2005 Report Share Posted August 13, 2005 here's my two pesos...when i was a fire investigator we would never state that we smelled gasoline. 'an odor resembling gasoline' or some such phrase would be used so that the defense attorneys could not tear us apart on the stand. Whenever i see something that looks like mold/mildew (which are synonyms btw) i feel it is more accurate to say 'a mold-like substance was noted in the attic' As we all know mold or mildew for that matter must be identified in a lab. As a general report writing principal we use language of certainty when we are certain and use somewhat more amorphous terms when we're not 100 per cent positive about something. I don't mind going out on a limb but I hate being proven wrong; especially by lawyers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjrab1 Posted June 3, 2006 Report Share Posted June 3, 2006 Was there any soffit vents? Josh Rabanus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlieb Posted June 3, 2006 Report Share Posted June 3, 2006 Posted - Aug 12 2005 ???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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