A Puzzle

[Don Lovering]

A bit of background first:

The house suffers a broken pipe second floor that floods the first floor of a Cape. Clean up and repairs complete, the water issues have been dealt with by a national clean-up comapny. Part of the cleqan up was to apply a polyeurithane to the ceiling of the basement, which is the first floor frame.

A year and a half later, a fungus is growing on the eurathane A nice white and pale green color. Moisture levels are in the 10 to 12% range on the unsealed stair stringers. Anyone have a clue as to why? Or even has anyone seen this ? One thought was it was a reaction between the sealer and the cleaning chemical, but it looks like it is originating on the surface[?]

[Scottpat]

Why would they apply Polyurethane to the ceiling? Would this not now create a sealed space? Kind of like putting plastic sheeting over drywall. The normal moisture (RH) that would normally occur in the basement is now trapped and has no place to go.

[StevenT]

Was the entire basement ceiling polyurethaned? If so, ditto Scott.

Are you sure it was polyurethane? "Stainkiller" , used to prevent water stains and etc. from bleeding through, is actually varnish.

[Les]

well, the real industrial stainkillers are alcohol based shellac and mold loves it!

The other consideration is it was varnish and that is a food source. My opinion - it was a dumb move that I would expect from a "skilled homeowner" not a professional mold for gold company.