White Powder on Attic Trusses

[gporter]

I think it is something that was on them before it was in place as you see it is not on the sheathing.

[Greg Veal]

John,

Your pictures are OK, but I'm unable to really get a good view of the white substance.

I would ask the owner/seller if they have had any PC svc. in the attic area for either Moisture or maybe Roaches, Silverfish, Ants, etc.

I/We, in my Pest Control days used various products (usually Dusts), in Attic areas for the long term control of the above insect infestations.

Just guessing here, but it does look similar to power dusting applications, at least in our area.

[wforsyth]

mold...you'll know when you come down with the nasty respiratory infection.

[David J. Moran]

All very good responses and a great topic for the MB. From the visuals and from my experiences I would not describe this as mold and recommend further evaluation via sampling of air and swabs of the truss(es). The report will comfirm wether or not it is mold and if indeed it is harmful. In either case it does appear that it is from water intrusion or humid conditions in the attic area. I too would continue to stress disclaimers. </IMG>

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Originally Posted by dmoran

All very good responses and a great topic for the MB. From the visuals and from my experiences I would not describe this as mold and recommend further evaluation via sampling of air and swabs of the truss(es). The report will comfirm wether or not it is mold and if indeed it is harmful. In either case it does appear that it is from water intrusion or humid conditions in the attic area.
I guess we could say that we do not know that until a sample is taken ,right?

I too would continue to stress disclaimers. </IMG>

Recommending further evaluation, I believe would be the best bet at this point, wouldn't you say?

Marcel

[James E. Braun, CMI]

It appears to be mold. Even the blackness on the sheeting can test toxic. I came across a similar situation recently with less growth. It tested very toxic. But you can not call it toxic unless it is tested.

[Frank M. Carrio, CMI]

Originally Posted by jcooper2

I found this white powder along the trusses in a home. The roof sheathing and trusses were dry, but there is plenty of evidence that they had condensation problems prior to installing the new roof (metal) ridge vent the length of the house, and baffles to keep the soffit vents clear.

The white powder wipes off readily with just your hand, the vertical line was created by doing this. If it were on crawlspace concrete, I would call it efflourescense. It is that dry. There appears to be no damage to the truss material, and it is only on the trusses, not on the sheathing, and seems top be localized over the attic entry and bathrooms.

Any ideas what I am seeing?

Can you say "Got Mold?"

Air samples and culture swabs should be taken ASAP.
An ASHI inspector in New Hampshire missed this in a "local" inspection and is now being sued.
The Mold was so obvious and plentiful that even an "untrained" observer could see it. The NEW homeowner, the Contractor and his entire crew became sick.

The mold was and still is toxic and the homeowner has already spent thousands of dollars to remedy the situation.

• The "fix" did not work and the house is uninhabitable.

BEFORE you or anyone else mentions that "Mold Testing" is not required in our SOP, common sense dictates that this should have been mentioned and or addressed.

[wforsyth]

Originally Posted by wforsyth

mold...you'll know when you come down with the nasty respiratory infection.

Definitely. I had this kind of mold behind the walls in my house. It was very nasty stuff and we were always coughing and sick without knowing why. (That and the carbon monoxide).

Mold is rapidly becoming a much talked about issue around my area since we are obviously not having dry winters anymore.