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EXTERIORS of buildings

ADHESIVES, EXTERIOR CONSTRUCTION
AGE of a BUILDING - how to determine
ALGAE, FUNGUS, LICHENS, MOSS
ANIMAL ENTRY POINTS in buildings
ANIMAL ODORS IN buildings
ARCHITECTURE & BUILDING COMPONENT ID
ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION IN buildings
ATTIC CONDENSATION CAUSE & CURE

BARK SIDE UP on DECKS & STEPS
BASEMENT WATERPROOFING
BEST CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES GUIDE
BRICK VENEER WALL Loose, Bulged
BRICK WALL DRAINAGE WEEP HOLES
BOOKSTORE - EXTERIORS
BUILDING SAFETY HAZARDS GUIDE
BUILDING SETTLEMENT

CARPENTER ANTS
CARPENTER BEES
CATCH BASINS
CAULK GUN TYPES, CHOICES
CAULKS & SEALANTS, EXTERIOR
CHIMNEY INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS REPAIR
COLUMNS & POSTS, DEFECTS
CONTAINER HOUSING
CONCRETE FOUNDATIONS
CONNECTORS, FASTENERS, TIES
CRAWL SPACES

DECK & PORCH CONSTRUCTION
DECK CONSTRUCTION BEST PRACTICES
DECK COLLAPSE Case Study
DECK FINISHES COATINGS PRESERVATIVES
DECK FLASHING LEAKS, ROT Case Study
DEFINITIONS of ENGINEERED WOOD OSB LVL etc
DRYWELLS, FRENCH DRAINS for FLAT SITES

EARTHQUAKE DAMAGED FOUNDATIONS
EIFS & STUCCO EXTERIORS
EXTERIOR WALL SIDING TRIM & FINISHES
EXTRACTIVE BLEEDING STAINS

FLASHING MEMBRANES PEEL & STICK
FLASHING for METAL ROOFS
FLASHING ROOF WALL DETAILS
FLASHING ROOF-WALL SNAFU
FLASHING SIDING DETAILS
FLASHING WALL DETAILS
FLASHING WINDOW DETAILS
FLASHING WOOD ROOF DETAILS
FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUP
FROST HEAVES, FOUNDATION, SLAB
FOOTING & FOUNDATION DRAINS
FOUNDATION WATERPROOFING
FRENCH DRAINS

GALVANIC SCALE & METAL CORROSION
GLUES ADHESIVES, EXTERIOR CONSTRUCTION
GRADING, DRAINAGE & SITE WORK
GUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTS

HEAT TAPES & CABLES on Roofs for Ice Dams
HOUSE PARTS, DEFINITIONS
HOUSEWRAP / SHEATHING WRAP
HOUSEWRAP INSTALLATION DETAILS
HOUSEWRAP PRODUCT CHOICES
HOUSEWRAP at SILLS, SOLES, TOP PLATES
HUMIDITY LEVEL TARGET

ICE DAM PREVENTION
INDOOR AIR QUALITY & HOUSE TIGHTNESS
INSECT INFESTATION / DAMAGE

KIT HOMES, Aladdin, Sears, Wards, Others

LEAD POISONING HAZARDS GUIDE
LEAD TEST KIT for HOME USE
LEED GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION
LOG HOME GUIDE
LIGHTNING PROTECTION

METAL LATH, PLASTER & STUCCO
MOISTURE CONTROL in BUILDINGS
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MVOCs & MOLDY MUSTY ODORS

ODORS & SMELLS DIAGNOSIS & CURE
OIL TANKS

PAINT & STAIN GUIDE, EXTERIOR
PAINT FALURE, DIAGNOSIS, CURE, PREVENTION
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PAINT SURFACE PREPARATION
PAINTING MISTAKES
PORCHES & Sunrooms
PORCH CONSTRUCTION & SCREENING

RAILINGS, DECK & PORCH
RAILINGS, STAIRWAY
RETAINING WALL DESIGNS, TYPES, DAMAGE
RETAINING WALL GUARD RAILINGS
ROOF ARCHITECTURAL STYLES - PHOTO GUIDE
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ROOF COLOR RECOMMENDATIONS
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ROT RESISTANT LUMBER
ROT, TIMBER FRAME
ROT, TIMBER ASSESSMENT

SEARS KIT HOUSES
SHEATHING, Gypsum board
Sheathing Celotex Homasote & Other
SHEATHING, OSB
SHEATHING, Plywood
SHEATHING, FOIL FACED - VENTS
SIDING TYPES, INSTALLATION, DEFECTS
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SOUND CONTROL in buildings
STAIN & BIODETERIORATION AGENT CATALOG
STAINS on & in BUILDINGS, CAUSES & CURES
STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING EXTERIORS
STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING INTERIORS
STAINS & Thermal Tracking
STAIN DIAGNOSIS on ROOFS
STAIN DIAGNOSIS on STONE
STAIRS, RAILINGS, LANDINGS, RAMPS
STONE CLEANING METHODS
STONE VENEER WALLS
STRAW BALE CONSTRUCTION
STUCCO WAll FAILURES DUE TO WEATHER
STUCCO WALL METHODS & INSTALLATION
STUCCO OVER FOAM INSULATION
STUCCO PAINT FAILURES
SURFACE GRADING, SITE DRAINAGE

TERMITES
TEST KITS for DUST, MOLD, PARTICLE TESTS
Thermal Expansion Cracking of Brick
THERMAL EXPANSION of MATERIALS
THERMAL IMAGING, THERMOGRAPHY
THERMAL IMAGING MOLD SCANS
THERMAL MASS in BUILDINGS
TREES & SHRUBS, TRIM OFF BUILDING
TRIM, EXTERIOR CHOICES, INSTALLATION

VAPOR BARRIERS & CONDENSATION in BUILDINGS
VENTILATION in BUILDINGS
VINYL CHLORIDE HEALTH INFO
VINYL SIDING
VINYL Siding or PLASTIC Window ODORS
Volatile Organic Compounds VOCs

WALL CONSTRUCTION BARRIER vs CAVITY
WATER BARRIERS, EXTERIOR BUILDING
WATER ENTRY in buildings
WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS
WIND TURBINES & LIGHTNING
WINTERIZE A BUILDING

More Information

Algae growth on vinyl siding (C) Daniel Friedman Stains on Building Exteriors - Diagnostic & Photo Guide to Stains on Chimneys, Foundations, Masonry Surfaces, Roofs, Walls
     

  • Online guide to diagnosing, removing, or preventing stains on building exterior surfaces: roofs, walls, siding, trim, walks, drive, stone, wood stains, moss, algae, mold, etc.
    • Photographs of all sorts oftains & marks on building exteriors, including algae, lichens, moss, mold help identify these substances in nature and on buildings
  • Questions & Answers about how to identify types & causes of stains on building exterior surfaces
  • References

Click to Show or Hide Related Topics

  • STAINS on & in BUILDINGS, CAUSES & CURES - home
  • ALGAE, FUNGUS, LICHENS, MOSS
  • ANIMAL ENTRY POINTS in buildings
  • BLACK LIGHT & UV LIGHT USES
  • CARPET STAIN DIAGNOSIS
  • CARPET & other STAIN TESTS
  • CARPET TEST PROCEDURE
  • CHIMNEY STAINS
  • EFFLORESCENCE, Salts & White / Brown Deposits
  • FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUP
  • INSECT INFESTATION / DAMAGE
  • MOISTURE CONTROL in BUILDINGS - home
  • MOLD APPEARANCE - WHAT MOLD LOOKS LIKE
  • OIL BURNER SOOT & PUFFBACKS
  • PAINT & STAIN GUIDE, EXTERIOR
  • PAINT FALURE, DIAGNOSIS, CURE, PREVENTION
  • SIDING TYPES, INSTALLATION, DEFECTS
  • STAIN & BIODETERIORATION AGENT CATALOG
  • STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING EXTERIORS
  • STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING INTERIORS
  • STAIN DIAGNOSIS on ROOFS
  • STAIN DIAGNOSIS on STONE
    • CATALOG of DETERIORANTS of Stone, Glass, Steel
    • LICHENS on STONE SURFACES
    • STONE SURFACE CLEANING METHODS
  • STAINS & FINISHES, INTERIOR COATINGS
  • STAINS ANIMAL or PETS, FLOORS
  • STAINS ANIMAL or PETS, WALLS
  • STAINS CANDLES FIREPLACE WOODSTOVE
  • STAINS HUMAN OCCUPANT
  • STAINS on INDOOR SURFACES: PHOTO GUIDE
  • STAINS at HVAC REGISTERS
  • STAINS INDOOR, OTHER
  • STAINS on ROOFS
    • ALGAE STAIN TEST METHODS
    • BLACK ROOF STAIN CAUSES
    • BLACK or GREEN ALGAE STAINS on ROOFS
    • BLACK ROOF STAIN REMOVAL & PREVENTION
    • DEBRIS STAINS on ROOFS
    • EXTRACTIVE BLEEDING on SHINGLES
    • LICHENS on ROOFS
    • MOSS on ROOFS
    • POWER WASHING ROOFS
    • RUST STAINS on ROOFS
    • SOOT STAINS on ROOFS
    • STAINS on/near CHIMNEYS
  • STAINS on ALUMINUM SIDING
  • STAINS on VINYL SIDING
  • THERMAL TRACKING BRIDGING GHOSTING
  • THERMAL TRACKING REMEDIES
  • TREES & SHRUBS, TRIM OFF BUILDING
  • WALL SIDING TRIM & FINISHES
InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

Building exterior stain cause diagnosis: this article describes and provide photographs and microscopic photographs of algae, moss, lichens, or fungal growth that occurs on buildings and in nature. We include links to references useful in the identification of algae, moss, lichens, and mold. Our photo at page top shows moss on an asphalt shingle roof. Our page top photo shows algae growing on the shaded side of a vinyl-clad building

Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman.

A Detailed Online Guide to Types of Stains or Marks on Building Exterior Surfaces: roofs, walls, decks, siding, trim

In the following guide we list types of stains by stain color & appearance, by building location or material, and by stain cause. We distinguish among the following stuff that may stain or be found growing building roofs, walls, or other surfaces, with extra focus on asphalt shingle roofs as well as other roofing materials such as wood shingles, wood shakes, roll roofing, and even slate or tile roofs. Some of these types of roof stains or discoloration are only cosmetic in nature, while others may indicate growths that are likely to reduce the roof covering life.

Black indoor stain is dog dirt not mold

 

Animal stains in buildings may be caused by animals brushing against walls or trim of the inside or outside of a building, or may be due to more odious causes such as pet urine staining.

Our photo shows an indoor black stain on walls caused by a dog who slept against this part of the room.

See Black stains from animals for details about pet stains on building floors (urine) and for black or other pet stains on walls see Pet Stains on Walls for diagnosing stains such as the black marks in our photo at left.

For indoor surface stains and markings in general, see STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING INTERIORS


Algae stains on concrete (C) Daniel Friedman Green Algae stains on siding (C) Daniel Friedman
  • Algae causes black stains on roof surfaces and green stains on other building exterior surfaces such as concrete (photo above left), decks, and building siding (above right).

    Some photos of black algae stains are at Black Algae Stains on Asphalt Shingles. For details see ALGAE STAINS ON ASPHALT ROOF SHINGLES.

    Algae can produce black stains on asphalt roofing products. Algae very often appears as a flat green coating or stain on building siding and even on sidewalks and concrete (photo at left). See ALGAE, FUNGUS, LICHENS, MOSS COMPARED for additional photos (including algae in the microscope) and details.
Photograph of possible asphalt shingle bleed-through or extractive bleeding on asphalt roof shingles  (C) Daniel Friedman Black mold growth on building exterior wall siding (C) Daniel Friedman

Algae growth on painted wood siding (C) Daniel Friedman
  • Algae or Mold Stains on Building Siding may be due to a combination of shade, moisture, and a building surface that uses a material or coating that is particularly conducive to algae or mold growth.

    Our photo (left) shows black staining on painted wood clapboards on an older building in New York state. Without closer examination and maybe a lab test, we're not sure if the black stains are algae or a mold, but in either case the causes are the same: moisture, shade, and from the stain pattern, possibly the absence of insulation and a moisture barrier in the wall structure.

    Continuing from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction:

    To remove mold ("mildew") from building surfaces, use a sodium hypochlorite solution, which can be made with household chlorine bleach. Depending on the severity of the problem, the solution should range from 1 to 8 parts bleach to 1 part water.

    Spray the solution onto the siding (avoid sprayers with aluminum parts), starting at the top and working down. If two applications do not remove the stains, you may need to scrub in the solution with a brush. Thoroughly rinse everything with water.

    Bleach can harm plants, discolor the finishes on trim, and corrode aluminum, brass, and copper. It is best to cover plants with tarps and protect any stained or painted surfaces.

 

  • Black stains on asphalt roofing products such as asphalt shingles or roll roofing, caused by extractive bleeding (product defects) shown at above left. - see Bleed-Through and see Roofing material defect / environmentally-caused roof shingle stains.
  • Black stains on vinyl or painted building exterior wall siding may also be mold, as our photo shows at above right.
Photograph of chimney soot stains on a roof.
  • Black, brown, or gray stains on roofing products due to debris left on the roof surface, such as piles of leaves and organic waste from nearby trees. See Debris Staining and see Proximate cause roof shingle stains. Black or other colored stains on roof surfaces may be caused by soot from chimneys, both wood-fired and oil-fired devices. Black or other colored stains may also appear on roof surfaces from nearby industrial activities.
  • Black or other colored stains on roof surfaces may be caused by soot from chimneys, both wood-fired and oil-fired devices. Black or other colored stains may also appear on roof surfaces from nearby industrial activities. See Soot Staining.
  • Black stains on building interiors: such as on carpets, drywall, or trim: see STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING INTERIORS and and also see STAINS on INDOOR SURFACES: PHOTO GUIDE

Cosmetic mold (C) Daniel Friedman

  • Black mold in buildings: often is mistaken as being the only or most severe mold problem - be sure to look for other molds that are perhaps equally or more toxic but are harder to spot. Our photo (left) shows cosmetic black mold on building framing. See MOLD APPEARANCE - WHAT MOLD LOOKS LIKE for complete details, and see Black Mold for specifics about black mold growth in buildings.

Mold on a building exterior surface indicates damp or shaded conditions, is not normally itself a hazard to building occupants, but it might indicate conditions that have also produced an indoor mold hazard.


Photograph of reddish brown chimney rust stains on an asphalt shingle roof.
  • Brown or red stains on roof surfaces are often caused by rust from wearing steel flashing or other on-roof metal products. See Rust Stains on Shingles.
  • Chimney stains on roofs near chimneys: Also see SOOT STAINING - Black Soot Stains on Roof Shingles Around Chimneys and see Proximate cause roof shingle stains

Effloresence white stains on a chimney (C) Daniel Friedman
  • Chimney stains on the exterior of chimneys themselves - see STAINS on/near CHIMNEYS where we discuss stains found on chimney exteriors or stains on building interior walls or ceilings near chimneys.

    Also see Chimney-Caused Roof Stains.

Roof stain or lichens or moss caused by trees (C) Daniel Friedman

  • Debris stains on roof shingles - see Debris Staining - Black Debris Stains on Asphalt Shingle Roofs. Debris stains on building walls, including stains from animals may appear as black smudges that may be mistaken for mold.


Extractive bleeding roof stains (C) Daniel Friedman

  • Extractive bleeding stains on asphalt roofs - see Bleed-Through and see Roofing material defect

Cause & Prevention of Extractive Bleeding Stain Problems on Building Exterior Siding

Stained clapboards (C) Daniel FriedmanAs reported in Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction:

Excess moisture in wood species such as cedar, redwood, Douglas fir, and mahogany can dissolve the natural tannins in the wood and cause them to migrate to the surface, leaving a reddish-brown stain on the finish.

Sealers and stain-blocking primers help to minimize this problem but do not always eliminate it. If staining occurs, the first step is to eliminate the moisture problem. Then, if the extractive bleeding is mild, remove the stains with a mild detergent and water. More severe cases will require cleaning with an oxalic acid solution.

Carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using oxalic acid, as the bleaching solution will harm plants and may bleach existing finishes on siding, trim, and other woodwork.

After washing, the oxalic acid must be thoroughly rinsed with clean water and the wood dried before finishing or refinishing. If the extractive bleeding has been allowed to bake in the sun, it may have hardened and be difficult to remove. In this case, you will need to apply a stain-blocking primer before refinishing.

Our clapboard staining photo below left shows staining in an inside corner below a roof valley where we suspect there was gutter spillage or leakage down the wall, exacerbating siding staining. Look at the edge of the stains and you'll see some extractive bleeding. Our stained clapboard siding photo at below right is a closeup of stains found on the home shown in our photograph just above.

Stained clapboards (C) Daniel Friedman Stained clapboards (C) Daniel Friedman

Photograph of lichens growth on asphalt shingles (C) Daniel Friedman

  • Lichens growing on roof surfaces, often a blue-green material - see ALGAE, FUNGUS, LICHENS, MOSS on SHINGLES. Lichens are not the same growths as moss or algae, and are difficult to remove without damaging the roof surface. Also see ALGAE, FUNGUS, LICHENS, MOSS COMPARED.

How to Diagnose & Prevent "Mildewed" or Moldy Building Exteriors

Algae growth on painted wood siding (C) Daniel FriedmanMildew? ... Really? Speaking accurately, which would be refreshing in politics as well as forensic building diagnosis, there is no mildew found on building surfaces.

Mildew, which is comprised of two groups of fungi within the larger class of molds, grows only on living plants: mildew is an obligate parasite that is found, for example, on grapes. The mildew sub-group of molds includes itself two families: Oidium-Erysiphe (powdery mildew) and Peronosporacae (downy mildew). But in both cases, these grow only on living plants.

So if you see what you think is mildew on a building exterior, unless the exterior is made of living plants like grapes, it's mold, but it's not not mildew. However because the terms mildew and mildewcide are used very widely among the building trades we have permitted that topic name in this article. To learn more about mildew and to see photos of what real mildew looks like see MILDEW in buildings ?. Also see our photos of mold that is often mistaken for mildew at MILDEW ERRORS - MOLD PHOTOS and finally, see MILDEW REMOVAL & PREVENTION.

Algae or Mold Stains on Building Siding may be due to a combination of shade, moisture, and a building surface that uses a material or coating that is particularly conducive to algae or mold growth.

Our photo (above, left) shows black staining on painted wood clapboards on an older building in New York state. Without closer examination and maybe a lab test, we're not sure if the black stains are algae or a mold, but in either case the causes are the same: moisture, shade, and from the stain pattern, possibly the absence of insulation and a moisture barrier in the wall structure. Also see VAPOR BARRIERS & CONDENSATION in buildings.

Various species of outdoor mold will grow on just about any surface with sufficient moisture and heat. In new construction, it can be minimized by storing wood off the ground and providing adequate ventilation. Although sealers and stains contain a mildewcide, any mildew should be removed before finishing or refinishing, or it will continue to grow through the new finish. As detailed in Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction:

To remove mold ("mildew") from building surfaces, use a sodium hypochlorite solution, which can be made with household chlorine bleach. Depending on the severity of the problem, the solution should range from 1 to 8 parts bleach to 1 part water.

Spray the solution onto the siding (avoid sprayers with aluminum parts), starting at the top and working down. If two applications do not remove the stains, you may need to scrub in the solution with a brush. Thoroughly rinse everything with water.

Bleach can harm plants, discolor the finishes on trim, and corrode aluminum, brass, and copper. It is best to cover plants with tarps and protect any stained or painted surfaces.

Crawl space mold (C) Daniel Friedman

  • Mold or fungus growing on roof surfaces or on other building surfaces - see ALGAE STAINS ON ASPHALT ROOF SHINGLES. See FIND MOLD in buildings, HOW TO for a guide to looking for mold contamination in or on buildings, and see WHAT MOLD LOOKS LIKE for a guide to just what mold looks like on building surfaces.

    Be sure also to see Stuff that is Mistaken for Mold to avoid becoming excited about harmless substances that people think are toxic mold. If you know your building has a mold problem, see ACTION GUIDE - WHAT TO DO ABOUT INDOOR MOLD.

For complete information about recognizing and dealing with mold growth in or on building surfaces

  • see FIND MOLD in buildings, HOW TO for a guide to looking for mold contamination in or on buildings,
  • see WHAT MOLD LOOKS LIKE for a guide to just what mold looks like on building surfaces.
  • Be sure also to see Stuff that is Mistaken for Mold to avoid becoming excited about harmless substances that people think are toxic mold.
  • If you know your building has a mold problem, see ACTION GUIDE - WHAT TO DO ABOUT INDOOR MOLD

Mossy roof (C) Daniel Friedman

  • Moss on roof surfaces - see ALGAE, FUNGUS, LICHENS, MOSS on SHINGLES. Green or other colored mosses are a bit easier to remove than lichens on roofing surfaces, but both can carry away mineral granules and damage the roof surface. Moss tends to hold more water and moisture on the roof surface. So in our opinion moss is more likely to damage a roof surface than lichens or algae. Also see ALGAE, FUNGUS, LICHENS, MOSS COMPARED.

Photograph of reddish brown chimney rust stains on an asphalt shingle roof.

  • Rust Stains on buildings - see Rust Staining - Red or Brown Rust Stains (on shingles)
  • Soot or Creosote black or brown stains on roof surfaces near or below chimneys - see SOOT STAINING - Black Soot Stains on Roof Shingles Around Chimneys and see Proximate cause roof shingle stains
  • Stains on stone or masonry surfaces - see STONE CLEANING METHODS for cause, cure, and prevention

Thermal tracking snow melt on a roof (C) Daniel Friedman Thermal tracking stains (C) Daniel Friedman
  • Thermal tracking stains or marks on buildings: Thermal tracking stains will not normally be visible on a building exterior, but we might see similar tracking of wall studs or roof rafters (photo, above left) where temperature differences in a building or points of heat conductivity and heat loss cause variations in snow-melt (on roofs) or moisture condensation (on walls).

    Black stains on building interior surfaces may follow a similar pattern (photo, above right) due to deposits of house dust on cool or damp building surfaces often follow building wall framing or ceiling framing studs or joists. See THERMAL TRACKING & THERMAL BRIDGING for details.

Roof stain or lichens or moss caused by trees (C) Daniel Friedman

  • Tree-caused stains on roofs - see Proximate cause roof shingle stains

What Causes White Blotches or Blooms in Paint on Exterior Stucco?

Effloresence on painted stucco (C) Daniel Friedman


White stucco blotches or stains may be caused by painting over high pH surfaces (over pH of 11), or over moisture, both conditions found when new stucco is insufficiently cured can lead to white blooms or efflorescence on the painted surface as well as a short life of the paint job as our photo shows (left).

See PAINT on STUCCO, FAILURES for an explanation of white blotches or white bloom that appears on painted stucco building surfaces.

Also see see PAINT FALURE, DIAGNOSIS, CURE, PREVENTION for a complete inventory of causes and signs of types of paint failure on buildings.


Effloresence (C) Daniel Friedman

  • White stains on roof surfaces may be from wash-down of pigments in paint on surfaces above the roof such as a gable end or dormer wall; white or less-black roof surfaces may also be found below copper or aluminum flashing whose salts run down the roof surface in wet weather, preventing algae or moss growth and leaving a white area on an otherwise stained roof surface.

    Our article at ALGAE, FUNGUS, LICHENS, MOSS on SHINGLES includes a photograph of this condition on a wood shingle roof.

    White stains on masonry walls (powdery or crystalline marks on the wall in our photo at above-left) and on some plaster walls (white-yellow bubbly) are usually mineral salts - efflorescence left by evaporating water and are a sign of wet or damp conditions. See Efflorescence & white or brown deposits

Wood sap on an attic rafter - this is not mold - Daniel Friedman 04-11-01

  • Yellow stains in buildings - crystalline or round shiny stains on wood framing may be sap that exuded from building framing as it was heated, such as on an attic rafter.

    Yellow stains indoors may also be due to mold or pets.

Readers should see STAIN DIAGNOSIS on ROOFS and see ALGAE, FUNGUS, LICHENS, MOSS on SHINGLES where we describe not only moss and lichens but black fungal stains on asphalt shingles and on other building surfaces. For identifying and diagnosing stains on indoor building surfaces see STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING INTERIORS. See STAIN DIAGNOSIS on STONE for additional examples of diagnosing, cleaning, and preventing stains on building materials and artifacts.

List of Types of Stains on Building Surfaces:

In the following guide we list types of stains by stain color & appearance, by building location or material, and by stain cause. We distinguish among the following stuff that may stain or be found growing building roofs, walls, or other surfaces, with extra focus on asphalt shingle roofs as well as other roofing materials such as wood shingles, wood shakes, roll roofing, and even slate or tile roofs.

Some of these types of roof stains or discoloration are only cosmetic in nature, while others may indicate growths that are likely to reduce the roof covering life. A more detailed, illustrated version of the list below is given at STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING EXTERIORS.

  • Algae-caused black or green stains on roof or other building surfaces - Some photos of black algae stains are at Black Algae Stains on Asphalt Shingles. For details on roof algae see ALGAE STAINS ON ASPHALT ROOF SHINGLES, and ALGAE STAIN TEST METHODS. Algae can produce black stains on asphalt roofing products. Also see ALGAE, FUNGUS, LICHENS, MOSS COMPARED. And see STAIN DIAGNOSIS on STONE for examples of algae staining on other building surfaces.
  • Black stains on asphalt roofing products such as asphalt shingles or roll roofing, caused by extractive bleeding (product defects) - see Bleed-Through and see Roofing material defect / environmentally-caused roof shingle stains.
  • Black, brown, or gray stains on roofing products due to debris left on the roof surface, such as piles of leaves and organic waste from nearby trees. See Debris Staining and see Proximate cause roof shingle stains
  • Black or other colored stains on roof surfaces may be caused by soot from chimneys, both wood-fired and oil-fired devices. Black or other colored stains may also appear on roof surfaces from nearby industrial activities. See Soot Staining.
  • Black stains on building interiors: such as on carpets, drywall, or trim: see STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING INTERIORS and then STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING INTERIORS and also see STAINS on INDOOR SURFACES: PHOTO GUIDE
  • Brown or red stains on roof surfaces are often caused by rust from wearing steel flashing or other on-roof metal products. See Rust Stains on Shingles.
  • Catalog of Biological Substances that Alter Stone or Other Inorganic Materials lists the causes and types of damage that raise aesthetic and conservation issues on cultural artifacts, buildings, and art works.
  • Chimney stains on roofs - see see SOOT STAINING - Black Soot Stains on Roof Shingles Around Chimneys and see Proximate cause roof shingle stains
  • Debris stains on roof shingles - see Debris Staining - Black Debris Stains on Asphalt Shingle Roofs
  • Extractive bleeding stains on asphalt roofs - see Bleed-Through and see Roofing material defect, and see Proximate cause roof shingle stains (types of roof stain by color, location, probable cause)
  • Green roof stains on roof shingles, clay tiles, cement tiles, and asbestos cement roof shingles or newer fiber cement roof shingles are often caused by algae. For details see ALGAE STAINS ON ASPHALT ROOF SHINGLES. Moss on roofs is also often green and should be unmistakable in appearance. See ALGAE, FUNGUS, LICHENS, MOSS on SHINGLES.
  • Lichens growing on building surfaces - Lichens are not the same growths as moss or algae, and are difficult to remove without damaging the roof surface. See Lichens on Stone Surfaces, and also see Lichens on Roofs for details about how lichens can cause roof damage. See Methods for Cleaning Stone Surfaces and ALGAE, FUNGUS, LICHENS, MOSS on SHINGLES for a guide to preventing lichen growth and stains. Also see ALGAE, FUNGUS, LICHENS, MOSS COMPARED for an explanation of the difference among these.
  • Mold or fungus growing on roof surfaces or on other building surfaces - see ALGAE STAINS ON ASPHALT ROOF SHINGLES. See FIND MOLD in buildings, HOW TO for a guide to looking for mold contamination in or on buildings, and see WHAT MOLD LOOKS LIKE for a guide to just what mold looks like on building surfaces. Be sure also to see Stuff that is Mistaken for Mold to avoid becoming excited about harmless substances that people think are toxic mold. If you know your building has a mold problem, see ACTION GUIDE - WHAT TO DO ABOUT INDOOR MOLD.
  • Moss on roofs and other building surfaces: see ALGAE, FUNGUS, LICHENS, MOSS on SHINGLES, and Green Stains on Stone. Green or other colored mosses are a bit easier to remove than lichens on roofing surfaces, but both can carry away mineral granules and damage the roof surface. Moss tends to hold more water and moisture on the roof surface. So in our opinion moss is more likely to damage a roof surface than lichens or algae. Also see ALGAE, FUNGUS, LICHENS, MOSS COMPARED.
  • Rust Stains on buildings - see Rust Staining - Red or Brown Rust Stains (on shingles)
  • Soot or Creosote black or brown stains on roof surfaces near or below chimneys - see SOOT STAINING - Black Soot Stains on Roof Shingles Around Chimneys and see Proximate cause roof shingle stains
  • Stains on stone or masonry surfaces - see STONE CLEANING METHODS for cause, cure, and prevention
  • Tree-caused stains on roofs - see Proximate cause roof shingle stains
  • White stains on roof surfaces may be from wash-down of pigments in paint on surfaces above the roof such as a gable end or dormer wall; white or less-black roof surfaces may also be found below copper or aluminum flashing whose salts run down the roof surface in wet weather, preventing algae or moss growth and leaving a white area on an otherwise stained roof surface. Our article at ALGAE, FUNGUS, LICHENS, MOSS on SHINGLES includes a photograph of this condition on a wood shingle roof.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About how to diagnose, remove & prevent stains on various building exterior surfaces & materials

Question: siding has turned yellow around the lights installed on an exterior wall

We just installed 2 lights on our outdoor garage and the siding has turned yellow above the lights as well as below. Any ideas? Might it be caused by electrical current? - Sharon Klingler 7/28/2012

Reply:

Sharon you could be describing a FIRE hazard. Remove the light bulbs, check the label on the light fixture and make double sure no one installed an over-watted bulb. The result is a hot fixture that can discolor nearby vinyl or plastic materials. It wouldn't be the wiring or electrical current itself unless the wiring itself were overheating.

Question: black substance appears on cedar siding

Every year we have a black substance appear on our cedar siding. The siding was stained originally on all sides before installing 17 years ago. We have used several cleaners, mainly JoMax made by Zinnser. and then restaining with Cabot full body water based stain. The next year it returns. Can you give us any solutions? - Bob I 8/7/12

Reply:

Bob, I'd like to see some sharp photos of the siding, from a distance & up close. I'm out of the U.S. so can't easily check a sample.

The first step in effective and lasting cures for stains on wood siding is to understand just what the stain is and what is causing it. See if you can determine that it is being deposited on top of the surface rather than bleeding through - that's a first step.

Then compare the appearance of stains by where on the building and relate that to sun, shade, moisture, trees, grass, mowing, etc. Maybe it's artillery fungus.

Question: wet interior walls make me suspect siding leaks - where do I start?

7 years ago contractor changed our siding... Now when I am repainting walls inside, painter noticed that wall is wet. I think siding was not properly installed in many places. Installer says that "siding was not good". Where should I start? I can't pay again to redo the siding job. - Janna 11/30/12

Reply:

Janna

  1. ask the installer to be more specific about the meaning of "siding is not good" and let us know what s/he says
  2. you will need to find and fix the leaks and also to assure you've not left wet moldy insulation in the walls. Start inside or outside at the most wet area, making a test opening and removing more materials if needed until you can see exactly where water is entering thenwall and exactly what has gotten wet
  3. Take a look at XXX an article we are still working on - about how we track down the sources of leaks through a building exterior wall and into the interior walls & floors

Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia

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Technical Reviewers & References

Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.

  • Carson, Dunlop &
Associates Ltd., TorontoCarson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. The firm provides professional home inspection services & home inspection education & publications. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission for InspectAPedia to use text excerpts from The Home Reference Book & illustrations from The Illustrated Home. Carson Dunlop Associates' provides:
    • Commercial Building Inspection Courses - protocol ASTM Standard E 2018-08 for Property Condition Assessments
    • Home Inspection Education Courses including home study & live classes at eleven colleges & universities.
    • Home Inspection Education Home Study Courses - ASHI@Home Training 10-course program.
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    • The Home Reference Book, a reference & inspection report product for building owners & inspectors.
      Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
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      Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter inspectaehrb in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
    • The Illustrated Home illustrates construction details and building components, a reference for owners & inspectors.
      Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Illustrated Home purchased as a single order Enter INSPECTAILL in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
    • The Horizon Software System manages business operations,scheduling, & inspection report writing using Carson Dunlop's knowledge base & color images. The Horizon system runs on always-available cloud-based software for office computers, laptops, tablets, iPad, Android, & other smartphones.
  • ...

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

  • Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
  • Home Reference Book - Carson DunlopThe Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.

    Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.

  • GO TO Carson Dunlop's Home Study Course Information - How to Become a Home Inspector: Carson Dunlop's nationally recognized Home Study Course, selected by ASHI the American Society of Home Inspectors and other professionals and associations. This website author is a contributor to this course.
  • GO TO Carson Dunlop's Home Study Course Information - How to Become a Home Inspector: Carson Dunlop's nationally recognized Home Study Course, selected by ASHI the American Society of Home Inspectors and other professionals and associations. This website author is a contributor to this course.
  • GO TO Carson Dunlop's Home Study Course Information - How to Become a Home Inspector: Carson Dunlop's nationally recognized Home Study Course, selected by ASHI the American Society of Home Inspectors and other professionals and associations. This website author is a contributor to this course.
    Building inspection education & report writing systems from Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd
  • Analysis of Modern Paints, Thomas J.S. Learner, Research in Conservation, 2004 ISBN 0-89236-779-2 [Chemistry of modern paints, overview of analytical methods, pyrolysis-gas chromatography signatures of basic modern paints and their constituents, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for paint analysis, direct temperature-resolved mass spectrometry, and analysis in practice - technical reference useful for forensic paint science, focused on art works -DF]
  • Art, Biology, and Conservation: Biodeterioration in Works of Art, Robert J. Koestler et als. Eds., Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2003, ISBN 1-58839-107-8
  • Building Pathology, Deterioration, Diagnostics, and Intervention, Samuel Y. Harris, P.E., AIA, Esq., ISBN 0-471-33172-4, John Wiley & Sons, 2001 [General building science-DF - ** Particularly useful text **
  • Understanding Ventilation, John Bower, The Healthy House Institute, ISBN 0-9637156-5-8, 1995 [General building science-DF - ** Particularly useful text. Mr. Bower has retired from the field but his book continues to be important]
  • Dampness in buildings, Diagnosis, Treatment, Instruments, T.A. Oxley & E.G. Gobert, ISBN 0-408-01463-6, Butterworths, 1983-1987 [General building science-DF]
  • Home Reference Book - Carson DunlopThe Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.

    Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.

  • GO TO Carson Dunlop's Home Study Course Information - How to Become a Home Inspector: Carson Dunlop's nationally recognized Home Study Course, selected by ASHI the American Society of Home Inspectors and other professionals and associations. This website author is a contributor to this course.
  • GO TO Carson Dunlop's Home Study Course Information - How to Become a Home Inspector: Carson Dunlop's nationally recognized Home Study Course, selected by ASHI the American Society of Home Inspectors and other professionals and associations. This website author is a contributor to this course.
  • GO TO Carson Dunlop's Home Study Course Information - How to Become a Home Inspector: Carson Dunlop's nationally recognized Home Study Course, selected by ASHI the American Society of Home Inspectors and other professionals and associations. This website author is a contributor to this course.
    Building inspection education & report writing systems from Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd
  • Certainteed Weatherboard fiber cement siding and trim products - see certainteed.com/ or see certainteed.com/resources/sidingandtrimspecsheet.pdf
  • "Moisture Control in buildings: Putting Building Science in Green Building," Alex Wilson, Environmental Building News, Vol. 12. No. 5. [Good tutorial, "Moisture 101" outlining the physics of moisture movement in buildings and a good but incomplete list of general suggestions for moisture control - inadequate attention given to exterior conditions such as roof and surface drainage defects which are among the most-common sources of building moisture and water entry.--DJF]
  • Masonite Woodruf® Roofing or Masonite OmniWood® Siding Lawsuit Settlement Notice - PDF file
  • Paint Handbook: testing, selection, application, troubleshooting, surface preparation, etc., Guy E. Weismantel, Ed., McGraw Hill Book Company, 1981, ISBN-10: 0070690618, ISBN-13: 978-0070690615, [Excellent but a bit obsolete paint theory and practice, also a bit light on field investigation methods, out of print, available used-DF]
    How to select and apply the right paint or coating for any surface. The first major reference to help you choose the correct paint or other finish to do the job best on a particular surface exposed to a particular environment. Experts in the field give full advice on testing surface preparation, application, corrosion prevention, and troubleshooting. The handbook covers wood, metal, composites, and masonry, as well as marine applications and roof coatings. A ``must'' working tool for contractors, architects, engineers, specification writers, and paint dealers.
  • Paint and Surface Coatings, Theory and Practice, R. Lambourne & T.A. Strivens, Ed., Woodhead Publishing Ltd., William Andrew Publishing, 1999 ISBN 1-85573-348 X & 1-884207-73-1 [This is perhaps the leading reference on modern paints and coatings, but is a difficult text to obtain, and is a bit short on field investigation methods - DF]
    Provides a comprehensive reference source for all those in the paint industry, paint manufacturers and raw materials suppliers, undergraduate and postgraduate students, and industrial paint users. R. Lambourne was in the Research Department at ICI Paints Division and the Industrial Colloid Advisory Group, Birstol University, UK.
  • Seeing Through Paintings, Physical Examination in Art Historical Studies, Andrea Kirsh, Rustin S. Levenson, Materials in Fine Arts, 2000 ISBN 99-051835 [ forensic science, technical reference, focused on art works - DF]
  • Sealants, Durability of Building Sealants (RILEM Proceedings), J.C. Beech, A.T. Wolf, Spon Press; illustrated edition (1995), ISBN-10: 0419210709, ISBN-13: 978-0419210702
    This book presents the papers given at the RILEM Seminar held at the Building Research Establishment, Garston, UK in October 1994. The book provides an opportunity for researchers to review up-to-date progress towards the achievement of the objectives of the standardisation of laboratory techniques of sealants in the variety of service conditions to which they are exposed.
  • Soiling and Cleaning of Building Facades (RILEM Report), L.G.W. Verhoef (Editor), Routledge; 1 edition (November 3, 1988), ISBN-10: 0412306700, USBN-13: 978-0412306709
    The report of a comprehensive investigation by RILEM which examines all aspects of the cleaning of facades, subject to soiling by both biological and non-biological agencies. The contributors are international authorities working in this field giving essential advice to all those who need to know how to approach the problems connected with the soiling and cleaning of building facades.
  • Staining, Prevention of Premature Staining in New buildings, Phil Parnham, Taylor & Francis; 1996, ISBN-10: 0419171304, ISBN-13: 978-0419171300
    The appearance of ugly staining early in a buildings life, ruins an otherwise pleasing appearance, tarnishes the image of the owners and gives rise to costly refurbishment works. In this book Phil Parnham raises a number of questions that should be considered whenever a new building is being designed or built. These are: * why has staining become so prominent; * what causes premature staining; which parts of new buildings are likely to be affected; * how can it be avoided? By using a number of highly illustrated case studies, the author answers these questions and ends by suggesting measures that should be taken by all design and construction professionals to prevent premature staining.
  • "Weather-Resistive Barriers [copy on file as /interiors/Weather_Resistant_Barriers_DOE.pdf ] - ", how to select and install housewrap and other types of weather resistive barriers, U.S. DOE
  • ...
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