Fungi Question

[Erol Kartal]

The mold dude is going to do a test tomorrow. I'm going to join him so I can take a second look at a few things I noticed on some blown up pics. Particularly the seller's strange desire to paint PVC.

[relliott]

Wow
Thats a odd situation.

[Erol Kartal]

Originally Posted by relliott

Wow
Thats a odd situation.

Ever get a real bad vibe about an inspection...

[John Cahill]

Originally Posted by ekartal

The mold dude is going to do a test tomorrow. I'm going to join him so I can take a second look at a few things I noticed on some blown up pics. Particularly the seller's strange desire to paint PVC.

The PVC is painted by over spray. The sprayer origination was at the lower left of the photo and it projected to the upper left. The dark staining is the area that was not covered by the spray because the PVC was in the way. The dark area is a clue to what the entire area looked like before it was sprayed.

Going out on the limb. Looks like decay from a condensation event or leakage from above, especially if soils are dry. The PVC is too clean for smoke unless the original melted and was replaced. Let us know.

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

So in Texas re-painting must be called out as a possible defect?

[John Cahill]

Originally Posted by kshepard

So in Texas re-painting must be called out as a possible defect?

Kind of. The SoP require reporting of prior roof repair. Why, I do not know. It establishes a precedent to report any repair that could be argued "consequential" or "If I had know this I would have . . . .". In this painting scenario IF the paint was in a crawlspace it would be unusual and lead one to suspect a past water or fire event. It would be prudent to report the condition as informational. Identifying it as a defect would be a judgment call.

I know we are talking basements but here is another Texas problem. Attic smoke damage has been historically painted with white or silver paint. Now there are companies spraying silver radiant barrier paint. Now we have no idea what to make of it. Fire or energy efficiency?

I agree with your argument. I spent years working on a defect only Standard and it was defeated by someone who wants to compare homes to new code and report missing drain stops.

As long as these people dictate insane logic all I can say is "If ya want to make the dough ya gotta do the show".

[Erol Kartal]

Here's my own disclaimer for the "white basement" syndrome.

ENTIRE unfinished basement has been painted white. Concrete floor, concrete walls, floor joists, joist hangers, sub-floor, metal duct work, wall studs in closets and even white PVC pipe has been painted white. This is sometimes done to mask moisture damage to materials. Black stains that are similar in appearance with fungal growth were observed in gas appliance utility room drywall, on metal duct work and sub-floor. I strongly recommend a mold test by a qualified mold inspector.

It is imperative that you completely understand that your home inspector has no idea the condition of the materials that have painted over. I cannot inspect what I cannot see.

This includes entire basement floor, all interior basement walls, all basement sub-floor areas, all metal duct work and all painted PVC piping.

[rmaday]

Originally Posted by ekartal

It is imperative that you completely understand that your home inspector has no idea the condition of the materials that have painted over. I cannot inspect what I cannot see.

I like it!