Possible mold on shop post
- Thread starter mike14_07
- Start date
nadogail
Well-known member
To my eyes it looks like exfoliation; you might be able to clean it up with diluted chlorine bleach.
What is exfoliation?
K'ledgeBldr
Well-known member
It’s the process of removing dead cells.
But, probably not here.
The staining is most likely water absorption- first pic. Second pick “could” be some mold- looks more like lime from the concrete was absorbed into the post.
The biggest issue I see here is the fact that the posts are “buried” in the concrete, rather than sitting on it.
But, probably not here.
The staining is most likely water absorption- first pic. Second pick “could” be some mold- looks more like lime from the concrete was absorbed into the post.
The biggest issue I see here is the fact that the posts are “buried” in the concrete, rather than sitting on it.
Zeke
Well-known member
A big word. Everyday people call that rot. Looks like that floor has taken considerable abuse. What chemicals have been washed up against that post?
I gotcha, i also wonder if it could have been where insecticide was sprayed, maybe. And yeah im not super enthused with the way the shop was built but it was already on the property. The concrete just butts up to the post. Its just a simple pole barn style with a concrete floor
The second pic is where my oil drain pan leaked, other than that i have sprayed some demon at the base of the walls in the past.
APEowner
Well-known member
It's a pole barn. The ground is a structural element in a pole barn so the post have to be buried.
Yup its a pole barn, or thats what they are called in my area. Seen several built this way. And they typically last a long long time. My uncle has one thats atleast as old as i am. Im curious if the door by the post in the 2nd pic might be leaking and thats why it looks so much worse. Im going to check this afternoon. I dont get out there as much as i use to since having a kid. I might go a month without getting out there.
kj_mustang
Well-known member
If it is a floating concrete slab, the posts should be isolated from the concrete.
K'ledgeBldr
Well-known member
It was quite obvious that it was/is a pole barn. Doesn’t make it right or wrong it’s just not the “best practice” for building a structure.
Zeke
Well-known member
Well. oil being 'spilled' down the hole won't hurt anything. 
Paco Pena
Well-known member
If its mold a good scrub with vinegar will work. The stronger the % the better ie pickling or cleaning vinegar vs table vinegar.
Paco
Paco
djjsr
Well-known member
Try spraying it with Tilex.
APEowner
Well-known member
I'm sure that there are other ways to do it but PT posts buried in concrete with the floating slab right up against them is pretty standard construction practice for pole barns in the North East. I've been involved in the construction of probably a dozen of them and been inside many more and they've all been built that way.
bighouse01
Well-known member
They usually outlast their owners too.
The first picture looks more like something was applied to the bottom of the post to try to seal it or something got splashed up on it . The second pic looks like whatever is on that first one is on it too and had some sort of reaction when you spilled oil on it.
Adaylate
Well-known member
Go to your local hardware store and tell them you want the green (or brown) wood preservative. Paint it on the bottom foot or so of your post allowing it to run down any void that may be between the post and concrete. You may want to repeat this process every so often on all posts.
Good luck!
Good luck!
In the second pic? That's spatter spots from something. You can see it on the wall behind the post also.
My vote is its a mixture of concrete and years of various things being splashed on it.
If you zoom in on the second pic you will see some remains of concrete slurry stuck to it. Was likely completely around the first pic but came off as one chunk.
As said above you can just hit it with some diluted bleach spray if your worried about mold but I personally would not test it. When you sell a home you are supposed to disclose if any mold was found. If you don't test it you can honestly say you do not know for sure.
If you zoom in on the second pic you will see some remains of concrete slurry stuck to it. Was likely completely around the first pic but came off as one chunk.
As said above you can just hit it with some diluted bleach spray if your worried about mold but I personally would not test it. When you sell a home you are supposed to disclose if any mold was found. If you don't test it you can honestly say you do not know for sure.
jordan pickford
New member
- Joined
- Dec 9, 2022
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- 4
I think it can be cleaned up with some surface excavation
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