Building siding extractive bleeding stain cause diagnosis & cure or prevention.
This article series catalogs the different types of stains or discolorations found on building exterior surfaces: walls, roof, trim, walks, patios, decks, etc.
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Extractive Bleeding Stains or Marks on Building Siding, Walls, Trim
Cause & Prevention of Extractive Bleeding Stain Problems on Building Exterior Siding
Our stained clapboard siding photo shown here is a closeup of stains found on the home shown in our photograph just above.
As reported in Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction (Steve Bliss, J Wiley & Sons) :
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. I
f 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.
[Click to enlarge any image]
Stains and stain prevention on red-cedar siding are discussed separately
Excerpt: Extractives can be grouped into two broad categories—watersoluble extractives (WSE) and solvent-soluble extractives (SSE)— depending on the type of liquid in which they dissolve.
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Citations & References
In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.
[1] Hugh Cairns, RHI (Registered Home Inspector), Subject 2 Inspections, Mr. Cairns is a licensed professional home inspector and thermographer serving Kelowna, Vernon, and Penticton, British Columbia. Tel: 250.808.5777, Email: okanagan@subject2homeinspections.com
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]
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 **
Dampness in buildings, Diagnosis, Treatment, Instruments, T.A. Oxley & E.G. Gobert, ISBN 0-408-01463-6, Butterworths, 1983-1987 [General building science-DF]
Certainteed Weatherboard fiber cement siding and trim products - see certainteed.com/ or see certainteed.com/resources/sidingandtrimspecsheet.pdf
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]
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]
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
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.
In addition to citations & references found in this article, see the research citations given at the end of the related articles found at our suggested
Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. Tel: (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 Email: info@carsondunlop.com. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
Carson Dunlop Associates provides extensive home inspection education and report writing material. In gratitude we provide links to tsome Carson Dunlop Associates products and services.