ᐅ Battening and purlins are developing mold in the new construction;
Created on: 22 Feb 2021 22:21
T
Typbau1
Hello,
We are currently in the final stages of building a single-family house. The construction is managed by a developer, so we are not involved in the coordination or the specific work details.
However, shortly after the roof was installed, we noticed mold on some of the rafters. At that time, no screed or interior plaster had been applied yet. After informing the site manager, he treated the wood with a mold spray and declared everything to be fine.
During the winter, screed and interior plaster were applied. After a few weeks, we observed mold on the rafters/wood structure around the opening for the pull-down attic ladder. The site manager did not want to take any action until the drying phase was complete and the drywall installer finished the ceiling of the upper floor. Because the drying process did not progress well despite several daily ventilation sessions, one, then a second drying device was installed after a few weeks.
In the meantime, we have found additional mold in various spots on the battens under the vapor barrier foil, in several rooms. Furthermore, the main beam of our front porch (which extends into the entrance area and is still visible due to the lack of drywall) also shows significant mold.
The site manager assured me that the affected battens will be replaced and that the larger beams/rafters will be treated. The drywall installer began work today, but I am quite sure that the battens already covered by drywall have neither been replaced nor even treated.
Is mold concealed under drywall a persistent risk? Can I at least assume that treating the larger wood components with spray is sufficient? Or should I insist on removing the installed drywall and replacing the battens, as well as demanding other measures for the attic ladder opening and the front porch beam?
I have generally trusted the developer so far, but this whole issue and the apparent disregard for the promise to replace the battens worries me greatly! I would appreciate any advice.
Thank you in advance!
We are currently in the final stages of building a single-family house. The construction is managed by a developer, so we are not involved in the coordination or the specific work details.
However, shortly after the roof was installed, we noticed mold on some of the rafters. At that time, no screed or interior plaster had been applied yet. After informing the site manager, he treated the wood with a mold spray and declared everything to be fine.
During the winter, screed and interior plaster were applied. After a few weeks, we observed mold on the rafters/wood structure around the opening for the pull-down attic ladder. The site manager did not want to take any action until the drying phase was complete and the drywall installer finished the ceiling of the upper floor. Because the drying process did not progress well despite several daily ventilation sessions, one, then a second drying device was installed after a few weeks.
In the meantime, we have found additional mold in various spots on the battens under the vapor barrier foil, in several rooms. Furthermore, the main beam of our front porch (which extends into the entrance area and is still visible due to the lack of drywall) also shows significant mold.
The site manager assured me that the affected battens will be replaced and that the larger beams/rafters will be treated. The drywall installer began work today, but I am quite sure that the battens already covered by drywall have neither been replaced nor even treated.
Is mold concealed under drywall a persistent risk? Can I at least assume that treating the larger wood components with spray is sufficient? Or should I insist on removing the installed drywall and replacing the battens, as well as demanding other measures for the attic ladder opening and the front porch beam?
I have generally trusted the developer so far, but this whole issue and the apparent disregard for the promise to replace the battens worries me greatly! I would appreciate any advice.
Thank you in advance!
icandoit schrieb:
Drywall construction in the roof.
Gypsum board, membrane, roof frame with insulation, vapor-permeable protective layer, then battens, and finally tiles.
The vapor-permeable protective layer allows moisture to escape outward because the roof covering is ventilated from behind. The membrane prevents moisture from inside (living area) from passing outward. In the long term, the wood will dry out.Can I understand this to mean that I don’t need to worry about mold because it will dry out anyway since the roof is well constructed and moisture will automatically dissipate upward?
Schimi179123 Feb 2021 08:19Is the wood still visible? A chemical solution, such as bleach, would leave no chance for mold. However, this is not really a recommendation, just an option. It is quite strong-smelling and bleach should be handled with great care!
Ethanol (denatured alcohol) would probably be sufficient as well 🙂
If the wood is drying out anyway, the mold will lose its "lifeline" water regardless.
Ethanol (denatured alcohol) would probably be sufficient as well 🙂
If the wood is drying out anyway, the mold will lose its "lifeline" water regardless.
P
pagoni202023 Feb 2021 08:24Typbau1 schrieb:
Can I understand this to mean that I don’t need to worry about the mold because it will naturally dry out soon since the roof is well constructed and the moisture will automatically disappear upwards?I can’t give you a definitive answer either, but I clearly remember a similar experience during my own house construction. I also suddenly noticed a lot of moisture in the timber framework, with water dripping in some places, which of course alarmed me at the time. Eventually, it disappeared, and I was told that, especially because of the concrete, plaster, and screed, there was a lot of water inside the house that just needed a longer time to dry out.For that reason, I see your small spots as basically insignificant, and I’m more surprised that anyone would use some kind of spray—probably to reassure customers. That spray is claimed to help with everything, even athlete’s foot 😀
I agree with @Schimi1791. Once it’s dried out, the problem is solved.
Schimi179123 Feb 2021 08:59It should also be clarified whether it is actually mold. Tests are available, for example, on Amazon. If it helps you sleep better, I would then try using denatured alcohol. However, it evaporates quite quickly, so repeated applications are necessary with appropriate safety precautions (protective goggles, etc.).
bauenmk202023 Feb 2021 10:18Schimi1791 schrieb:
It should also be clarified whether it is actually mold. Tests are available, for example, on Amazon. If it improves sleep, I would then try using denatured alcohol. However, it evaporates quite quickly, so multiple applications with proper safety measures (safety goggles, etc.) are necessary. Interesting. I’ll have to look for such a test. Is there a way to identify whether it is fungi/spores, etc., using common household methods?
I also noticed black spots on our beams and sent them to the general contractor. They said these were "traces from storage and transport."
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