Leaking gutter?

Question

could a leaking gutter be responsible for an awful amount of black stuff (mould or damp, I dunno) appearing all over the ceiling, in the grout of the tiles and up the wall in a bathroom? There is a water tank in this bathroom and it was never damp for years. Could there be any other reason for it and has anyone got hte solution 4 getting rid of it?

Answer 1

you have black mold. hope you have money or get ready to move

Answer 2

There a couple of things that are left out- What kind of overhang is there? How old are the gutters? How old is the roof? What kind of gutters?

As a professional gutter installer here is what I'll add: If there is a sufficient overhang on the house, it is unlikely that the gutter is at fault if was installed correctly. Most modern seamless gutters are formed with the back higher than the front, so that even if does clog, the water still comes over the front. Also, if it does leak out the back side, with an overhang, it would still have to travel across the soffit to get to the walls and ceiling. If that much water is moving, then more than likely your wood soffit and fascia materials are rotten as well. This should be readily visible.

What I have seen being the reason for mold in walls and ceilings is ice damming from the winter months. You didn't say where you were, and if you are in the north, this could be the culprit. If this is the case, and you have an overhang, it could be a roof + flashing issue. If you have a new roof installed, make sure that the roof understands that the waterproof mebrane goes OVER THE EDGE OF THE ROOF down the fascia board; otherwise you may as well not have it at all. Alternatively, you could even have water coming in through the plumbing stack flashing or another area. Water can travel along way under a roof before it escapes, usually where you don't want it.

I would say contacting a professional is the way to go. Gutters might seem like a cheap fix, but you'll be kicking yourself if the problem persists. You'll need to contact a roofing consultant if you suspect it is coming from above, and a mold remediator. There are a lot of different molds, some more toxic than others, but getting rid of Stachybotrys chartarum mold is NOT a DIY project. Does your bathroom contain a ventilation fan? Is it a newer home with a vapor barrier that was required by code? Is the insulation in the exterior walls soaked? Is the exterior sheathing rotted? Is the roof ventilated properly? A lot of things need to be answered, and it probably won't be a cheap fix.

Answer 3

If you have a leaking gutter it's unlikely to cause mould stains on the ceiling.Guttering is there to prevent water running off the roof then down the outside walls.If it leaks,water will run down and eventually penetrate the walls not the ceiling.You say you have mould going up the wall and on the tile grout.This is most likely just mould caused through inadequate ventilation and poor quality grouting.You can buy tile grout cleaner in all DIY stores.As for the mould on the ceiling,it might be just linked to the matter just mentioned.Alternatively a leak in the roof.Gutter,unlikely.

Answer 4

The gutter may be clogged. I would make sure it's clean and water flows down the spout freely. Once you get the gutter cleared you may need to caulk to stop the water from getting in. Then a bleach based cleaner should get the mold (although you may need a few applications)

Answer 5

I don't know if you have a electric or gas water heater so I can't answer completely but to clean the stuff off mix a bleach solution of 3 cups bleach and 2 cups water and have fun washing it off it will work but it takes time or you can go to the store and get a bottle of ( the works) read on it and be sure it will not harm your tile before you put it on, it will work.

Answer 6

it could be, but if there is a shower in the tub, its also possible that there is a pinhole leak in the pipes inside the walls, if the gutter has run over that badly then the roof has started to rot, bad news either way. good luck

Answer 7

Spray straight bleach on it and wash clean, you need a fan vent to pull the moister out of the room. The room must be dried out so open a window and let the room breathe.

Answer 8

if you cant afford to get it sorted out properly theres this sort of paint you can get from the DIY i forget the name now but my bathroom ceiling used to grow black stuff and a friend painted it with that and it hasn't come back that was years ago (i think its like a thin plastic layer)then you emulsion over it.

Answer 9

yes get it checked had problems with mine found a piece of wood in gutter been there since the house was built fine now

Answer 10

Sounds likely. Get a roofer to have a no obligation look.