What did you do today?

[highup]

Looking good. I hate painting, plumbing and just about anything work related.

I like to work in my dreams. When I wake up, not so much.

 

[Tom Picciani]

Here’s what the stairs look like from the top. Red oak retreads from Lumber Liquidators. Stained with Zar teak natural stain and 4 coats of Varathane satin polyurethanine.

 

[ErikT]

currently in the process of installing new flooring for the first time since I have the time due to covid.

can anyone help me in figuring out what this black bean like substance is on the old flooring.
My best guess it's either old glue remnants or possibly mold related?

Thanks.

 

[Floorist]

I have been installing since 1973 and I have no idea what that is. Maybe Highup or Daris will know. I guess it could be chunks of cutback, but I have never seen that. Almost looks like bugs.

 

[Tom Picciani]

Front room painted. It’s a matte finish so it should look darker later

 

[Floorist]

Maybe you should take up painting as a vocation.

 

[Tom Picciani]

I hate painting! But it has to be done.

 

[highup]

currently in the process of installing new flooring for the first time since I have the time due to covid.

can anyone help me in figuring out what this black bean like substance is on the old flooring.
My best guess it's either old glue remnants or possibly mold related?

Thanks.

I see patterns in those black dots. Look close. I don't see a mold issue. That said, I haven't seen anything like it.

 

[DarisMulkin]

currently in the process of installing new flooring for the first time since I have the time due to covid.

can anyone help me in figuring out what this black bean like substance is on the old flooring.
My best guess it's either old glue remnants or possibly mold related?

Thanks.

I haven't seen anything like it either. It looks to be under the glue. I'm wondering if the didn't have rebond pad on the floor before the gluedown. Some of the particles of rebond usually the black pieces would go bad and was extremely hard to scrape up and would remain. If you are really in doubt of mold I'd take a scraping and send it in to a lab to find out what it is.

 

[Tom Picciani]

currently in the process of installing new flooring for the first time since I have the time due to covid.

can anyone help me in figuring out what this black bean like substance is on the old flooring.
My best guess it's either old glue remnants or possibly mold related?

Thanks.

I would cover it with 1/4 inch plywood and move on. If you have the room to raise the floor a bit, 1/2 inch plywood would be better.

 

[Floorist]

I haven't seen anything like it either. It looks to be under the glue. I'm wondering if the didn't have rebond pad on the floor before the gluedown. Some of the particles of rebond usually the black pieces would go bad and was extremely hard to scrape up and would remain. If you are really in doubt of mold I'd take a scraping and send it in to a lab to find out what it is.

ding ding ding, I think we have a winner. Pad makes sense to me.

 

[highup]

ding ding ding, I think we have a winner. Pad makes sense to me.

I think so too. Rebond doesn't have consistent pattern of chips nor chips in a similar size. I can't think of a rubber waffle pad that would do that either. Best question is what was removed to reveal what we are looking at.

 

[highup]

Front room painted. It’s a matte finish so it should look darker later

Tom, those wires coming out of the box and layed flat against the horizontal 2x4's seems a bit odd. It that above the ceilings sheetrock?

 

[Tom Picciani]

Tom, those wires coming out of the box and layed flat against the horizontal 2x4's seems a bit odd. It that above the ceilings sheetrock?

I'm going to install a drop ceiling below the wires. The electrical panel is getting a cabinet I'm going to build around it. There are already pipes below the rafters as well as electrical boxes that need to remain accessible. So I need to use a drop ceiling anyway. I figured since I'm going to have to drop 4 inches below the rafters, running the wires like that wouldn't be a big deal. The builder did the same in some areas.

 

[ErikT]

I see patterns in those black dots. Look close. I don't see a mold issue. That said, I haven't seen anything like it.

Yes first time seeing anything like this then again it is my first time doing flooring

 

[ErikT]

I haven't seen anything like it either. It looks to be under the glue. I'm wondering if the didn't have rebond pad on the floor before the gluedown. Some of the particles of rebond usually the black pieces would go bad and was extremely hard to scrape up and would remain. If you are really in doubt of mold I'd take a scraping and send it in to a lab to find out what it is.

Thank you for your response and yeah it's somewhat under the glue as if someone poured glue on top of the black substance.

and yes I have ordered a mold kit to send to a lab just to be sure.

 

[ErikT]

I would cover it with 1/4 inch plywood and move on. If you have the room to raise the floor a bit, 1/2 inch plywood would be better.

thanks for your advice

 

[ErikT]

I think so too. Rebond doesn't have consistent pattern of chips nor chips in a similar size. I can't think of a rubber waffle pad that would do that either. Best question is what was removed to reveal what we are looking at.

To answer your question the bedroom had carpeting (which i removed) underneath the carpeting it had vinyl flooring? (inexperienced with flooring material but it's like a flimsy tile material like a flimsy cardboard material) and underneath the vinyl it has old wood flooring that revealed the black bean like substance

 

[highup]

thanks for your advice

If you do that, first skim coat that adhesive with some sort of floor filler. If it's still tacky, the plywood you install over it, even tho nailed down, might stick and release when you walk on the floor..... and sound like you're walking on Rice Crispies.
Also, 1/4 inch plywood will not hide any defects in the floor. It follows the highs and lows and won't bridge gaps.

 

[highup]

To answer your question the bedroom had carpeting (which i removed) underneath the carpeting it had vinyl flooring? (inexperienced with flooring material but it's like a flimsy tile material like a flimsy cardboard material) and underneath the vinyl it has old wood flooring that revealed the black bean like substance

Thanks. I still see the black spots in rows. Never seen mold go that high tech.
Let us know if you find out because we are as confused as you are.