I know I have a moisture issue for mushrooms (diagnosed by Clemson U.) to be growing out of my hardy plank siding; along where the concrete meets the siding; in a new addition at the joint of floor and wall; in the hay room on the wood walls; and in the corners of the stalls. I had all removed by a “mold” specialist last year and this spring it all came back - no mold, just mushrooms. I have a concrete slab, and do not know who to contact to resolve the moisture issue that I have due to all of the mushroom growth. Everyone I have had out here says they have never seen anything like this and offers me no clue as to how to resolve the problem. I KNOW there is water somewhere, but you can’t see any anywhere, wet spots on walls, ceilings etc. I cannot find who would be able to help determine why these growths are occurring or where the water is. My home is 2 years old this month, is on a concrete slab and I live in SC with sandy soil. Any help guiding me to the correct person or company who can figure out where my moisture problem is coming from, would be most appreciated.
I have just tried to post a photo but can’t seem to do so,
Jean,
Visit Inspectorseek.com and put in your town and zip and it will provide you with a list of qualified inspectors in your area. Hope this helps.
Is this problem on your home, a barn, or both?
My barn is connected to my house. The mushrooms are growing out from between the siding and concrete in front of the barn; from between the dirt floor and the wood stall walls; between the 2 x 6 boards in run in shed; in the corners of the stalls; in the office (finished room next to the stalls; at the joint of the tile floor and the wall; at the joint of the house wall and the concrete; at the house door, creeping under the door; and now in the house at the joint of my house and my newly enclosed screen porch which has been changed into a bedroom. Also at the seam in two of the corners of the new room.
As I said, obviously there is water/moisture somewhere, it must be from the ground, but HOW do I find it? Who do I call that would know how to find it? I had a moisture expert out here and he was at a loss as to what to do. He used his moisture meter and found no moisture in the walls. I have been told my builder should have raised the ground before laying the pad - fine, maybe, but what is done is done, the point still is what to do now?
Chances are since it was a barn, they did not put down a vapor barrier before the concrete pour. Concrete being porous is just a conduit for moisture in the soil and is bringing it right to the surface. The Hardie should have had 2 inches clearance from the slab per manufacturer but it may also be in contact with the foundation wall with no barrier between the two. Short of cutting out a piece of the slab to see if there is a vapor barrier, I don’t know of any other way to find your moisture source. Good luck.