Mould and rot... but how long ago?

[Whitling2k]

Hello - Just uplifted some carpet and floor boards - and found a patch of mould under the carpet, water marks on the chip-board... and some rotted joist

I'm not overly concerned because it's a big-old joist and it's not nearly rotted through... yet.

My reason for posting on here is because I can't quite tell how old the damage is, hence if I put new carpet down and forget about it - Whats the chance that my joist will keep getting wet and eventually manifest into a problem?

Is there a way of telling if mould and damp is recent or ancient?

The whole area is dry as anything at the moment - the rotted wood and water marks are near some heating pipes that could be drying out the timbers and flooring - and that's after the stormy spell we have just had.

I'm certain that it's not the heating pipes as I can't see much evidence of long-term leaks from the two T-joints and when the heating of on/off/cycling there are no leaks in the vicinity. Furthermore, the water marks on the chipboard are above the pipes..

It looks more like water has come through the stud wall from the ceiling above - maybe from previous heating installations or past leaks.

Anyway - any ideas on how I can tell how recent (or old) the mould and rot are greatly appreciated!

Whitling2k

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• Whitling2k
• 13 Jan 2014
• 1

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• Whitling2k
• 13 Jan 2014
• 1

 

[dishman]

Could this not be to do with condensation forming on the pipe when it gets cold or the heating goes off (if they are hot pipes)?

A lot of the "rot" seems to be concentrated around that pipe and below where presumably it has been dripping off and absorbed into the timber. This would make the whole area a bit damp and moist at times and therefore encourage more mold to form on the floor boards and carpet over time? Maybe that is why someone has jammed some insualtion in there, to try and prevent it?

However it may have been limited by how cold the pipe got and how much condensation may have formed on it.....hence the problem has not got too bad. It may be dry now because you have the heating and no condensation will form on a hot pipe.

It terms of date...since the central heating/pipe was installed?

I am only going by that picture, but it could be a possibility...

 

[Whitling2k]

Possibly - Could that explain the mould and the dampness on the chipboard above the pipe? The second picture is of the floor above that little area.

This is a photo with the chipboard flooring in situ - the water marks shown in blue.

It seems a bit much for condensation - more like a leak?

It would be good to know if the leak is one from days gone by or something more recent.

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• Whitling2k
• 13 Jan 2014
• 1

 

[dishman]

If it is condensation, over time if the area is generally wet at times and then dried and the damp evaporates then it it could I am sure. It would not just make the wood wet, the air around it will be damp, which could cause damp above on the chipboard....

It is only a theory based on the pictures though.

What is on the other side of that wall... where do the pipes go?

If there was a leak, it would still be wet, unless fixed at some point...and as you say it may just be the remenants of damp left from an old leak....

If it is not damp now....you cant see a leak...I would not worry. Replace the mouldy panel and maybe periodically check it....

 

[Whitling2k]

Thanks Dishman.

Replace the board - if more mould or watermarks appear - leak still active! Simples!!

It's funny how similar wetted chipboard and weetabix are in appearance and texture... (and probably taste!)