Plaster Ceiling discoloration

Plaster Ceilings are showing new discoloration or possible water stain. I am not ruling out a leaky pipe, but, recently we found and repair/clean mold in our attic. Inspecting our ceilings below the attic and on our first floor, we are seeing slight darkening, the width of joists on plaster/lathe ceilings.

Is it possible, the cause of the mold in attic (poor ventilation-broken fan) is the cause of this and if so, how do we make sure this is the issue, not a broken pipe some where. ? Should I open up a ceiling to look for moisture between flooring, condensation between the floors ? 
Also, we added new more efficient windows in our home and insulation in our attic. Could we over-sealed our home ?
thank you

cblinc

in Drywall and Insulation 13 years and 9 months ago

3

Please log in, in order to post replies!

3 replies

Newest Oldest

cblinc | 13 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4865 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4892 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "179653"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "cblinc"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$B4Z12sFEWUnDoEQvXfZPkER5B4z20I/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "cblinc"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "cblinc1@hotmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(21) "/forums/users/cblinc/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:26:58"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(6) "cblinc"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(179653)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Thanks Steve, no new moisture on these areas, and yes, we have lots of rain last night. 

To add to the issue, it more like a ghosting and cracking along a few areas/joists. Settling, but the house is 80 years old  and these ceilings were painted  anywhere from  2-10  years ago.

stevecym | 13 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4866 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4867 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "21525"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(8) "stevecym"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(8) "stevecym"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(24) "stevecymbalsky@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(30) "/forums/users/thetinkerswagon/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:05:31"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "xLyD4JX1CSeJzFu7zs4j"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(8) "stevecym"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(21525)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Check and see if this dries out.  We had rain yesterday and I am sure that patch is damp today.  If it dries though over the course of the next day or so and we have no more rain … see what dave says above.  

also, not likely pipes in the attic unless you have some sort of roof with flat spot and roof drains (which leak a lot).  People write in here a lot about roof drains and now that I think of it, I’ve seen more leaking roof drains and drain pipes than all other kinds of leaks combined.  

As for changing windows and doors and over sealing the house:  this may be a matter of opinion, but yes, a house should be allowed to breath.   There is a lot written on this subject and the impact it can have on ones health.  what I try to explain to people when talking about insulating a house is that a small draft, be it annoying and expensive, brings the benefit of fresh air.  It is the transfer of cold through solid surfaces which has no benefit  don’t take my word, check the ‘net for some articles.

Steve

daveinbedstuy | 13 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4892 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4870 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "3864"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BtJYyObAQmff2MQp.qFP7/kmwU1bBZ1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "djl135e54@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(55) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/daveinbedstuy/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:23:53"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(3864)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

You ned to address this ASAP. If it’s below attic, likely a roof leak.