excessive moisture inside a house
I volunteer for HH. We are remodeling a house built about 20 years ago in Rhode Island. A single floor with basement and attic. The walls are filled with blown in insulation then covered with drywall.
The outside is wrapped in Tyvek then vinyl sided. The roof was stripped then shingled.
While working in the house removing trim, etc, it was noticed that moisture was on the drywall in some rooms. We removed the original tub and found that the insulation in the wall was wet and a lot of dry rot was discovered.
Moisture in the insulation thru out the house was found. All the rooms were stripped of the drywall. The insulation was removed. The interior walls were treated for mold. (much black mold was found in the walls).
While stripping the vinyl off the exterior walls (to install new construction widows)
soft spots were found the the plywood. Opening the Tyvek, the walls and the inside of the Tyvek were covered in mold. The plywood was rotten in many areas.
Searching for reasons why this may have happened. Should all the wrap be removed and the exterior walls inspected for rot and mold?
If recovered up, what would be the future effect to this house?
Thank you
Replies
Where is this house located? Climate zone?
I would think that the tyvek should come off at least until you find areas of dry, sound sheathing with no evidence of mold or rot.
all (now exposed) framing would need to be suitably dried and treated for mold.
what could cause this is lots of water. could have come from leaking pipes (hot or cold water or waste), overflowing sinks or tubs, or leaking roof or windows left open. Abused gas appliances used for heating could also introduce excess moisture into the house.