Exposed drain and plumbers putty

[tneumann]

The first picture is of a mushy floor in a bathroom on the drain end of the tub...it was mushy enough to push on and have significant give....as I made my way to the lower level while this tub was draining I could hear loud drain sounds....the second picture shows the drain pipe of that tub exiting the ceiling directly underneath....and the pipe was plumbers putty heaven! It was all over the outside of the area it exited. The picture doesn't do it justice...there wasn't any moisture present as it drained or after it drained.....but I'm wondering if the tub drain didn't leak causing the mushy floor and this was the resulting repair?

[Brian E. Kelly]

I am now wondering the same thing?

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Did you use a moisture meter on the floor?

[Erby Crofutt]

http://www.hi-essentials.com/moisture.html

[tneumann]

I guess I just don't want to be reliant on a moisture meter to tell me what my common sense should already tell me. I'm also afraid of false readings and subsequent false alarms.

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by tneumann

I guess I just don't want to be reliant on a moisture meter to tell me what my common sense should already tell me. I'm also afraid of false readings and subsequent false alarms.

I've never had a false alarm on any moisture meter that I've used.

I will not do an inspection without one.

[tneumann]

Good for you David

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

So what did you end up saying in the report?

[Jay Moge]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

So what did you end up saying in the report?

"This house is a piece of crap, and like every other house i've had the pleasure to inspect, i'd recommend complete tear down and instulation of a new home"

[tneumann]

There is a mushy area in the middle floor bathroom at the corner of the bathtub and wall near the doorway. It is unknown what is causing this problem or how old it is. There was not any moisture evident at the time of the inspection. Pic 1
The drain for this bathtub is visible in the ceiling of the bathroom directly below this bathroom. There is visible caulking around this drain that doesn't show any moisture after draining the tub, however, this caulking doesn't appear to be the proper repair. Recommend having it evaluated by a licensed plumber.

[Michael W. Gault]

Tony,
Would common sense tell you this wall is too damp?

Not baggin' on you and I'm sure you do have one... but I use mine everywhere. Moisture and it's related problems are this highest of priorities here in the hot and humid southeast.

[David P. Valley]

Non-destructive moisture detectors are much better.
Attachment 3134

[Michael W. Gault]

And somewhat less reliable. That is what I think Tony is leery of...

And how much destruction do you really think is caused?

Those probes are not 1/16th of an inch into the sheetrock and 4 inches above the baseboards... All I ever hear is "oohs" and "wows" when I whip it out

[tneumann]

I am also leery of the new home buyer finding a leak in a wall that I did NOT check w/ my moisture meter...

I can hear it now:

I watched you use that cool meter on that potential leak in the bathroom...why didn't you use it on every wall in the house?

[Michael W. Gault]

The wall in the photo is adjacent to a shower stall where the previous HO had a leak and 'fixed it' prior to putting the townhome on the market. The info was in the sellers disclosure.

New HO thought maybe the drywall should have been replaced, but wasn't. I fear (but did not express in the report) that there will be considerable mold growing in the walls behind the 'damp wall'.

This picture is of the same wall in the other bathroom. I use a moisture meter where it's use is warranted by my inspection, or when I learn something from the disclosure that might justify it (as in this case).

Use it where warranted by "your State's SOP or your personal inspection protocols" (and that certainly is not every wall) You'll be safer for having checked with a moisture meter than not using one and claiming "that's beyond the scope" of my inspection (Dr Swift or Joe F. may be able to clarify further).

You, of course may inspect somewhat differently.