Expert: Jan Hayner - 7/8/2008

Question
QUESTION: I my living room I found two spots of mud on my ceiling, I check the rest of the house didn't find any more,this happen two days ago.  Then tonight I find two more in my dining room.  What could be causing this?

ANSWER: Hi Rose; If you don't have kids tht are throwing mud pies, my thought is that you may have blocked vents in your attic and it is creating a mold problem for you.

Mold may come in the color of mud when it seeps thru your ceiling. If caught right away, it can wash off easily with bleach. However, that is not correcting the problem. The insulation could have moisture content in it and it will keep reoccuring. Look at this webiste and it will show you a picture of what I mean and why it happens.
http://www.dspinspections.com/atticventing.htm

First the old insulation needs to be taken out and new insulation put in. Then make sure that all of the vents are open. If you don't have enough vents add some, whther this is roof vents or facet vents. Turn on a fan in the attic for a few hours to dry everything out.
It sounds like a big job, but most of this can be done without hiring anyone.

With the type of weather that we have been having and the moisture content in the air, this is something that may not have shown up in your house before.

I am an expert in organizing and cleaning and not a insulation or roofing expert, but I know enough about it to let you know that the problem is coming from the attic area. This has happened to some of my clients and the problem normally has to do with venting or insulation moisture content.

I hope this helps you Rose. If not, go to the section that has home improvement and problems and ask an insulation contractor.
Good Luck and happy cleaning,
Jan Hayner

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: This mud on the ceiling was not all the way through.  It appear as if it was just put there.  When I removed it the ceiling wasn't damaged, or stained.  It was about the size of a quarter.  One of the spots I used my nail and scraped it off and it was dry.  This didn't come from the attic down.  This is truly a puzzle.  It didn't stain.  I used a cloth with bleach water on it and it left no mark.  I didn't see any wasp or any other kind of insect around.  I have plenty of vents in my roof so there should be adquate air flow.  We have had a lot of rain this summer.  I keep looking up at the ceiling to see when it starts maybe I can determine what is causing this.  

I do thank you for your respond.  It was helpful.

Answer
Hi Rose;
You really peaked my curiosity, so I had to investigate further. This is what I found. Go to this site,http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2078.html

It will tell you about a mud wasp that I have never heard of before. However, under further investigation, I find tht these are rare at all. I live in Wisconsin however and I have never seen one. Depending on where yu are from, the area could be just right for them.
I hope this helpes. Call your local DNR office and see if they can give you any more information about this in your area.

Jan Hayner