Dark stains on wood floors installed 2004

[Richard W. Washington]

These wood floors show stains across them that are not next to a door or plumbing of any kind. This is a ground floor of a two story home at the formal din room/hall to powder/breakfast, and stairs. Took moisture readings and they were in the normal range. Have a couple of ideas as to what might be happening (vapor barrier msg at slab, fish tank) but wanted other input.

[David A. Andersen]

It "was" water.

Conditions change with the weather.

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

The question is not what caused the staining (water/moisture) so much as where did it come from. My first question, before you stated it, was is this a slab foundation? My WAG would be no vapor barrier, or damaged, or mis-installed barrier. And as David said, conditions change all the time. The water may be back when conditions change.

[Richard W. Washington]

Well, the neighbor stated that there was a drainage issue but that underground drains were put in. Home, btw, is 6-7' from neighbors on sides.
If it is a vapor barrier issue couldn't the floor be pulled up and have a plastic sheeting put down?
If there is sanding done would that be effective?
Is it possible this is a bad batch of hardwood, etc and call it a defect or does the dark stain just pretty much guarantee moisture?
I'm going to put all of these possibles in my wording since this was the buyers biggest concern.

[David A. Andersen]

The patterns look just like what I see with thermal imaging when water is present below the flooring. I see no other cause. Without active water presence, that is all we have to go on.

As water damage occurred from below (not above from a plant etc.) sanding will not likely work.

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Originally Posted by rwashington

Well, the neighbor stated that there was a drainage issue but that underground drains were put in. Home, btw, is 6-7' from neighbors on sides.

And where were the neighbors downspouts draining to? I had one a few weeks ago, neighbors house was 12ft away, and the downspouts were aimed at this home with 6ft extensions!!! Guess where all the water pooled at?

If there is sanding done would that be effective?

If it worked at all, it may only be a temprary solution. Personally, I wouldn't bet on it, unless they went to a darker stain to mask it.

Is it possible this is a bad batch of hardwood, etc and call it a defect or does the dark stain just pretty much guarantee moisture?

Doubtfull it is a defect. Water is pretty much guaranteed.

[Michael Roberson]

Shot in the dark here, but I have seen rugs get wet and hold it to the floor, destroying it.

[Stephen W. Stanczyk]

The floor can be saved but that does not address the issue of how it happened. Floor would need to be sanded down, treated with oxalic acid and then re-stained / re-finished. But if the cause is not taken care of, it will most likely return.

[Richard W. Washington]

Thanks for all of the input. Here is my verbage. Suggestions on it.

There are multiple areas of the hardwood flooring with what appear to be moisture stains. These stains are not as a result of a plumbing or roof leak and are not recent. Moisture readings were taken and the levels are not elevated. It may have been that the previous owner had a fish tank which transferred to the floor. A second scenario is that a moisture barrier is either missing in certain areas or not placed at all causing the vapor to emanate up through the wood. A moisture barrier is both necessary to separate the bare soil from the foundation concrete and also one is needed to separate the foundation from the wood. Without invasive inspection, which is outside of the scope of this visual only inspection, it cannot be determined with certainty as to the origination of these stains. It is recommended that the flooring be removed and further assessment be made by a qualified, competent contractor that speciallizes in the installation of hardwood flooring. If the source of this moisture is not determined then it will likely continue. PHOTOGRAPH'S "B & C"

[mnahrgang]

Unless you have reason to believe that a fish tank caused this, I would take that sentence out of your comment. From my point of view, that appears to be pure speculation, and probably not the best idea for your inspection report.

Just my 2 cents.

[Marcel Gratton]

Originally Posted by rwashington

Have a couple of ideas as to what might be happening (vapor barrier msg at slab, fish tank) but wanted other input.

http://www.hardwoodinstaller.com/har...-basements.htm

[Christopher Currins]

I agree with Mark. IMO for you to try to determine cause in this case is all speculation. I would only report what I found and my recommendation. I would eliminate all of this verbiage in the report;

"These stains are not as a result of a plumbing or roof leak and are not recent. It may have been that the previous owner had a fish tank which transferred to the floor. A second scenario is that a moisture barrier is either missing in certain areas or not placed at all causing the vapor to emanate up through the wood. A moisture barrier is both necessary to separate the bare soil from the foundation concrete and also one is needed to separate the foundation from the wood."


I my choose to say this verbally to my client, but I wouldn't put it in writing.

[David P. Valley]

I never report on defects as to how or why they are there unless I absolutely know from experience.

Simply report these stained floors and recommend that a hardwood floor specialist evaluate and estimate repairs.

Done and no more worrying.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

I agree with David and the other guys Richard. Too many variables to know what happened.
Very eratic staining and in all my years of installing and viewing hardwood floors is beyound my capacity also as to the cause.

Staining of the hardwood floor was observed in numerous location and unknown cause from this inspectors observation, recommend a full evaluation from a flooring expert or manufacturers representative. Done.

And why didn't you pick up that coin in the third picture?

[Salvatore j. Vivona]

how about dog or cat urine? I have come across stains similar to these and found out it was due to animal urine.