Got a nasty surprise under a carpet in a Portland duplex last week

I was pulling up the old berber in the upstairs hallway and found a huge patch of moldy plywood. The subfloor was soft and black, about three feet across. The homeowner swore they had no idea about any leaks. Now I always check for moisture with my meter before I even start cutting. Has anyone else had to walk away from a job because of hidden mold?

3 comments

3 Comments

derek_lee19d agoTop Commenter

Guess @smith.elliot is right, we should all just start every job by ripping up the floor.

henry_ross19d ago

Oh, that's the truth. It's not just floors either. It feels like everything has a hidden layer these days that you only find after you start. You buy a used car, the engine looks clean but the frame is rusted through. You patch a wall, and find old wiring that's not to code. It's like the world is held together with wishful thinking and a few visible screws.

smith.elliot19d agoProlific Poster

Man, that's a classic Portland surprise right there. Gotta say though, a moisture meter is a lifesaver, but it only checks the surface. If the leak was old and dried out, or came from BELOW the subfloor, your meter might not catch it. The only sure way is to pull up a corner in a suspect area first, like near a toilet or under a window. I learned that the hard way too.