On the header wall for the bath tub shower in the master bath, (This is not an outside wall) the enamel paint began bubbling and pulling off of the sheetrock. There is (WAS) no access door there. My moisture meter showed about 15% - 18% moisture in the sheet rock. I cut out a rectangular section (24” by 32”) which is just beyond the edge of the paint peeling.
• When I looked inside, there was no evidence of moisture leaks from any pipes. Surprise, surprise. And no mold, of which I was fully expecting.
• There is an opening under the tub to the sub floor (concrete, about 16 inches below the room floor).
• No evidence of a pipe leak or tub/shower wall leak.
Now, to my observant probable cause and I need help from the experts here if this IS probably the cause:
1. There is an air duct off to the side and almost in line with that wall. I keep it almost closed because it blows too much (heat and cold air) there when fully open.
2. LOML had me put a 48 x 16 mirror there about 5 years ago. It hung against that wall. Half of the paint bubbling/pealing was behind the mirror but it extend out beyond the mirror on one side.
3. I am surmising that some ground humidity soaked into the wall from the back side due to the humidity swings; or the mirror prevented the air flow behind it and in some manner a light coat of “sweat” due to temp & humidity changes with restricted airflow developed, causing the paint to bubble off and the sheet rock to retain moisture.
Does my assumptions sound plausible?
Now I have to make a Nice Looking Access Door for the to please LOML! That isn't going to be easy as it will not be symmetrical!
• When I looked inside, there was no evidence of moisture leaks from any pipes. Surprise, surprise. And no mold, of which I was fully expecting.
• There is an opening under the tub to the sub floor (concrete, about 16 inches below the room floor).
• No evidence of a pipe leak or tub/shower wall leak.
Now, to my observant probable cause and I need help from the experts here if this IS probably the cause:
1. There is an air duct off to the side and almost in line with that wall. I keep it almost closed because it blows too much (heat and cold air) there when fully open.
2. LOML had me put a 48 x 16 mirror there about 5 years ago. It hung against that wall. Half of the paint bubbling/pealing was behind the mirror but it extend out beyond the mirror on one side.
3. I am surmising that some ground humidity soaked into the wall from the back side due to the humidity swings; or the mirror prevented the air flow behind it and in some manner a light coat of “sweat” due to temp & humidity changes with restricted airflow developed, causing the paint to bubble off and the sheet rock to retain moisture.
Does my assumptions sound plausible?
Now I have to make a Nice Looking Access Door for the to please LOML! That isn't going to be easy as it will not be symmetrical!
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