HomeMy WebLinkAboutRe: musty ordor � r
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2526 Alabama Avenue SouTh Emeil:into�struc�uretechl.com
STRUCTURE 7ECH St, Louls Park, MN 55416•1760 www•structuretechl,com
Home Inspections and Environmental Testing �?, �� t _ ; �, � � � � �. . . � �
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' July 24, 2000 � � + w() _ J � � ����/� -
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Clarence and Jean L.indley � �� � ' f � � �
2760 Shadywood Rd. ;�-c�-.�-,.. > `�_ ,�-, . � `/,� �.�-'� ^ �.� .�. �c,t-. �
Excelsior, MN. 55331 �
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RE; Visual inspection for source of musty odor in master bedioom and bath areas.
The masier bedroom and bath areas were part of an addition th�t w��s built during the fall
of 1994 and spring of 1995. An ex�minnticm of the exteriar arca of the addition revealed
some unacceptAble building practic;es that are lec�din� direetly to the moisture issue
causing the musty mildew odor in the home.
It w-us noted thAt the grade is steep at this side of the house and that the foundation was
stepped several times for the ch�nge in hei�hl of the exleric�r gr�de. The �;r�de was not
tiered or stepped to follo�v the foundatiori wails, instead tlie. �rade covered part of the
corners of esch of the wall sections on the foundation. This left the sheatliing, insulation
and wall studs helow grade and exposed to soil contset and susceptible to mnisture. 7he
sheathing wus not covered by the siding at the below grade areas, was damp and had a
very strong musty mildew odor to it. There were sea�ns at the blocks and wall joints not
sealed s�ainst water and air petiet��ations. The studs �nd insulation behind the sheathing at
the one point where `ve opened the wall did not appear to be roried or signircantly
dama�ed at this timc. The interior was covered with sheet rock and limited any view of
� the interior oC the �v�lls to fiilly assess any dainoge that may hove oecurred.
The �rawl space under the mas.er bath area has a dirt floor not covexed with a plastic and
has a very strong musty odor to it. ,
It wus also noted ths�t the wall struclure w�as signifie�ntly overh�ngin�the foundation
wa11s. At the midpoint ofthe wall it was overhanging by 2 '/�", ***PHpTO 5***. '1'his
will ailo�v for the bottom wall plate ta he more exposed to the elements and could lead to
problems with the wall structure �ver time.
J would recc�mmend contaetin� your local c�de authority and discussing these issues with
�hem tc� cleternline a ProPer corrective eourse oC action that meets minimum building
codes and acceptable building practices.
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To correct the issue of the moisture I would recommend removing the siding, replacing
aged and milde�ved OSB sheathing materiai and insutation. Treac th� interior of
t e walt structure «�ith some disinfectant for mildew, and if needed to eliminate the odor,
paint with a mildew resistant type of pAint. Cover the crawl space floor with a heavy
pl�s�ie and seal the scams and perimeter against t11e walls. Re-�rade to provide 6"
cle�zrance to the bot�om of the finished exterior wa11 materials. Some type of tiered
- ret�ining walt system will help keep grade fiom }rod1ousc�to reduce the�m ldewtodor. -
bleachint solution to the s<�ils on the exterior uf
Seal all seams and�;aps between tbe foundation and the wood structure. �e sure the
finished grade a1lc�ws for water to flo«� away from the structure and keep gutters elean
and funcli�nal.
This should reduce the issue with the milde�y odor in the addition to a minimum. 1')ease
call if you need furttler testing after thc correclions are made. We can make �rrangements
to have the tyPes and levels of mildew determined.
S' 1y,
uane R. Erickson
Cer�ified Building Inspector# 10543$2-10.