Q: What causes billions of dollars in damage...?

[klott]

kevin, don't forget the paper on Drywall.

[Ben J. Gromicko]

Originally Posted by kpierce

Brown rot use only the carbohydrate components of wood (cellulose and hemicellulose). I doubt it can feed off drywall.

Well, then.... Where are some good places to find wood destroying fungi - other than on visible "decayed wood" as you previously mentioned?

[kpierce]

Originally Posted by bgromicko

Well, then.... Where are some good places to find wood destroying fungi - other than on visible "decayed wood" as you previously mentioned?

Why don't you just get to your point? This is exhausting.

[Michael Larson]

What causes billions of dollars in damage...?

Water damage a.k.a. moisture penetration.

This is not that difficult. Is it?



No moisture = no mold growth.

[kpierce]

Originally Posted by klott

kevin, don't forget the paper on Drywall.

Again, I doubt it could feed off drywall given what it thrives on. Could it? I'm sure there's a possibility. I'm waiting for Ben's point.

[Ben J. Gromicko]

Originally Posted by kpierce

Why don't you just get to your point? This is exhausting.

I apologize. I don't find this exhausting at all. I thought we were enjoying a pleasant conversation. Please feel free to end anytime you'd like. Maybe others will join in. Right now, I'm editing the Stucco Training Course for Residential and Commercial Property Inspectors - Coming in June on NACHI.TV.

My question.
Where are some good places to find wood destroying fungi - other than on visible "decayed wood" as Mr. Pierce previously mentioned?

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by bgromicko

My question.
Where are some good places to find wood destroying fungi - other than on visible "decayed wood" as Mr. Pierce previously mentioned?

Where ever moisture may have entered the building envelope.

[kpierce]

Originally Posted by bgromicko

I apologize. I don't find this exhausting at all. I thought we were enjoying a pleasant conversation. Please feel free to end anytime you'd like. Maybe others will join in. Right now, I'm editing the Stucco Training Course for Residential and Commercial Property Inspectors - Coming in June on NACHI.TV.

My question.
Where are some good places to find wood destroying fungi - other than on visible "decayed wood" as Mr. Pierce previously mentioned?

Someone is trying to change the subject.

[Ben J. Gromicko]

Originally Posted by mlarson

Where ever moisture may have entered the building envelope.

Wherever there is moisture that has entered the building envelope - can mold be present under the right circumstances?

[kpierce]

Originally Posted by bgromicko

Wherever there is moisture that has entered the building envelope - can mold be present under the right circumstances?

Yes.

[Michael Larson]

An analogy.

If I spill gasoline on the floor and light a match, is it the match or the spilled gasoline that caused the damage?

[Ben J. Gromicko]

Originally Posted by kpierce

Yes.

Okay.... So, mold can be present. Wood destroying fungi can be present.
(Assuming there is) How does one tell the difference between the two visually?

[kpierce]

Originally Posted by bgromicko

Okay.... So, mold can be present. Wood destroying fungi can be present.
(Assuming there is) How does one tell the difference between the two visually?

Careful with your shovel Ben, your getting dangerously close to magma. I'm not a walking, talking bio-lab. If I were to see an apparent bio-substance with no visible sign of wood decay, I would simply recommend further evaluation, blah, blah, blah.

I would think that a good inspector like yourself would do the same. If you can detect different species of fungi by simply looking at them, let us all in on the secret please.

[Wayne B. Wilson]

Originally Posted by mlarson

An analogy.

If I spill gasoline on the floor and light a match, is it the match or the spilled gasoline that caused the damage?

Actually neither it is the ignited Vapor lol

[Ben J. Gromicko]

Originally Posted by kpierce

Careful with your shovel Ben, your getting dangerously close to magma. I'm not a walking, talking bio-lab. If I were to see an apparent bio-substance with no visible sign of wood decay, I would simply recommend further evaluation, blah, blah, blah.

I would think that a good inspector like yourself would do the same. If you can detect different species of fungi by simply looking at them, let us all in on the secret please.

So one can or can not tell the difference between mold and wood destroying fungi during a visual inspection? Can or can not?