October 31st 2018 KEYS!!
So, we closed on the house and on Halloween of 2018, amidst the festivities, we officially acquired the keys to our new home. Eager to do a walk thru as the new owners, we made a quick stop with the family to inspect the property before embarking on a night of trick-or-treating. Since we were still residing with the in-laws, my wife and I saw this as an opportune moment to embark on our first project: Redoing some of the floors and applying a fresh coat of paint before move in.
Excitedly, we commenced the renovation, starting with the removal of carpet and linoleum flooring. However, our enthusiasm soon gave way to dismay as we encountered the first of many unexpected issues. Despite having undergone a thorough inspection prior to purchase, significant problems emerged. While crucial repairs such as septic tank maintenance and fixing a broken septic line beneath the house had been addressed before we took possession, thank God I didn’t have to do this, there was one alarming discovery the inspector missed: mold. The inspector did not catch this, but honestly if we weren’t redoing the floor, we would not have caught this ither.
The presence of mold initially manifested in the kitchen, leaving us uncertain about its extent and origin. Undeterred, I continued to uncover more areas affected by mold—progressing from the kitchen to the bathroom and eventually to the master bedroom.
Once I got a grasp on the magnitude of the issue, I knew it was imperative to identify and address the underlying cause to prevent further damage. There was no sense in drying it all out if there was still a leak somewhere. Thus, I began the task of removing sheetrock to trace the source of the moisture. Frankly I was going to need to do this anyways since the mold started up the wall. It was during this process that I pinpointed the culprit—a leaky bathtub handle. Although relieved that it wasn't a pipe issue, I couldn't shake off the nagging concern about the peculiar appearance of the pipes. We will get to that later. But as far as the leak, observing staining on the underside of the fiberglass tub, I decided to conduct a simple test to confirm my suspicion. Directing the shower head towards the affected area, I quickly confirmed the presence of a leak. Resolving the issue was straightforward; a few applications of clear caulk could have effectively sealed the leak. But as a precautionary measure, I opted to remove the handle entirely and sealed the opening with a cap, ensuring a permanent solution to the problem.
Now back to the pipes, upon closer inspection, I noticed that the pipes appeared black instead of their usual copper hue. Research revealed that this discoloration was likely caused by sulfur contamination, possibly stemming from the previously repaired septic pipe. Concerned about the potential consequences, I meticulously cleaned the pipes, hoping to mitigate any further damage. I've had opportunities while working on other projects to inspect the pipes again, and I'm pleased to report that they now appear pristine without any traces of the previous black discoloration.
Back to the mold…Despite my efforts to rectify the mold issue, I soon realized that I had made a misstep in my approach—a mistake that would have repercussions, which I'll address in the subsequent post.
