Is the hollow feeling in my bathroom wall indicative of poor workmanship, mold, or a termite issue, and how should I address it as a beginner in home maintenance?
Asked by Ellen Edwards 
2 months ago
Last Updated: September 26, 2024
I’m still learning about home maintenance, so please bear with me. A few years ago, we bought this house and noticed that the previous owner had recently painted the whole inside and outside. It seemed a bit suspicious back then, but we were just so eager to find a place.
I’ve attached some photos that show a problem with the bathroom wall – both the ceiling and the side. When I tap on it, it seems hollow under the paint. Do you think this is just shoddy workmanship, or could it be something more serious like mold or termites?
I’d really appreciate any advice on how to deal with this. Thank you so much!
Is there a fan in the bathroom?
Oh, , by the way, there is a fan in the bathroom. I can’t say for sure how effective it is, though. We usually have it on during showers and leave it running until the shower area is dry (about 1 hour).
Issues with moisture may arise from within your walls.
Please take care of the water leak to prevent mold growth inside the ceiling.
There might be moisture seeping into the walls, possibly due to pipe leaks or inadequate fan exhaust. I recently faced a similar issue and ended up stripping down to the studs for replacement. It’s possible that there are leaks in the surrounding structure, allowing water to penetrate the wall cavity. The presence of moisture in various areas could indicate either airborne moisture or a leak. While redoing the sheetrock, use materials designed for moisture-prone areas – they are typically finished in green or purple, unlike the usual grey. Additionally, opt for a satin finish when painting, as it is more suitable for moisture-prone spaces.
No content
It’s been patched and repainted multiple times, for sure.
Try gently scraping and poking holes to assess the extent of the damage.
Take out the lights to inspect the ceiling from inside.
Seems like there’s a problem with water and the paint chemistry doesn’t match.
Many sellers repaint the house before selling to give it a fresh look, so that alone shouldn’t be a cause for concern…If you’ve been living there for YEARS and only just noticed, it may not be a long-standing problem. However, it does appear to be related to moisture. Is there a vent or window in the room?
Try popping the bubble to check if there’s water inside. It really seems like water.
Water. Yes, definitely water.
Is the water damage above the bathroom ceiling coming from the roof or another bathroom? Something is leaking.
The house only has one floor, with nothing above the bathroom except for the attic. We looked into the attic and found no mold above the shower.
The patches are just not done well.
This happens when you forget to cover the brown part of the drywall before it dries out.
Grab a putty knife to peel it off as much as possible, then apply a few thin layers of mud over the affected areas, making sure to let it dry completely before repainting.
Might be a leak from the roof, have that looked at
Check out the vent pipe that goes through the roof – if you notice the flashing is missing, that could be the cause of the issue since the damage is only in that area. Stick your head in and look for daylight to confirm. The vent pipe flashing should cover the entire hole to prevent water leakage.
I forgot to mention. If this is the issue, then it’s related to the roof, not plumbing.
You’ll have to contact a roofer to change the vent pipe flashing. You won’t need an entire new roof for this fix since the flashing is just one part that’s secured in place with nails and glue.
If you end up needing a new roof, it’s not connected to this repair. 👍🍀
Na Shanks yes, that’s exactly how ours was
Na Shanks, we got the roof redone last year. I’ll have the contractor come by to inspect it. Thanks!
Na Shanks, these are the vents we removed from the attic. What’s your opinion?
Na Shanks took care of the roof last year? 😳 It was the weirdest shingle job I’ve ever seen. Maybe it’s a special kind, I’m not a roofer, but it looks like a terrible job.
Regarding the vents, the roofers did a lousy job. If they don’t leak now, they will soon. I would have replaced them while working on the roof.
Do you have any ventilation up there? It’s a common issue in older houses – no air circulation in the attic leads to significant problems below. Air needs to come in at the lowest point of the roof (usually soffits) and go out on top (maximally, don’t know the English word). Good airflow in the attic is crucial.
From my observation, it looks good. However, water can seep in between the tiniest of spaces.
If you can stand in or peek into the attic, have someone use a hose to sprinkle water on the roof, ensuring it doesn’t enter the vent pipe.
For the damage to be so localized, it can’t be from a major leak.
Oh, the colors of the roof look a bit odd up close, but nice from afar. There are actually two different types of colored shingles used here for aesthetics. The company I used has been around for 40 years and was recommended by several neighbors in my area. So, I believe they are good. Yes, the roofer replaced the vent. We also have attic fans installed and they run at night to help cool down the house.
I was wondering if attic fans can help cool down the house?
Attics are supposed to have air circulation from soffits to the highest point and be the same temperature as outside (without the elements of course)
Does someone take really long showers in there? Like 45 minutes long? The heat and moisture from a long shower could be causing the issue.
I noticed (5) different issues in the pictures you shared. How close together are they? Can you show a wider angle that captures the entire affected area? Let’s start by getting some tools ready for investigation. You’ll need to cut through those areas to figure out what caused them. A combination of tools like a razor knife and/or drywall saw would be useful. Begin by scoring the surface to check if it’s still wet. Then, remove a part of the drywall up to the nearest joist or stud centerline for easier replacement. The process of re-drywalling is simple and quick. But first, let’s explore these spots.
Hey, thanks a bunch! Here are some more pictures for you. Those strange blobs on the wall are right next to the toilet.
Here is a wider view of the damage above the shower.
Do you have homeowners insurance for water damage? You should also reach out to the realtor since water damage needs to be disclosed.
Hey , water damage can happen pretty quickly. Considering they purchased the house just a few years ago, I don’t think this issue goes back that far. If it did, the walls would have shown more damage by now.
Hey , it really depends. Slow leaks tend to be sneaky and not as obvious. I think at this point, it’s best to remove the drywall to get a proper look at what’s happening.
Hey , I totally agree. Let’s double-check the venting above. It could also be due to a roof leak. Or maybe the vent isn’t functioning properly and not removing moisture from the room. It could be one of these reasons or something else.
They purchased the house a couple of years back. The disclosure might not offer much coverage at this point.
I’m not entirely convinced that’s accurate. It might be worth checking the state laws on this. If there was a known issue, I don’t think there’s a statute of limitations. In most cases, it comes down to when the dishonesty was discovered. It’s definitely worth looking into further and not letting them off the hook if there’s evidence of fraud.
Hey, I see where you’re coming from, but as a Realtor, I’d say good luck proving that. There are loopholes that could make it tricky. It might end up costing them more to fix it than to fight a legal battle over a disclosure that’s three years old. They really should address the issue ASAP, or they could end up dealing with serious problems like rot and mold. In my opinion, this isn’t something you want to tackle as a DIY project – they need a professional roofer or contractor to check out that attic. And while they’re at it, they should make sure the bathroom vent is properly directed outside, not into the attic. My hunch is that the issue lies with the roof, whether it’s damaged shingles or faulty flashing. Water is finding its way in, and once it’s in, it can cause a lot of damage. Time is of the essence here – delaying will only make matters worse. Also, the fact that they painted isn’t necessarily a red flag. It’s common for sellers to freshen up the paint before selling to enhance the property’s appeal. It’s a cost-effective way to make the house more attractive to buyers. On the other hand, I’d be cautious if the basement has been recently painted, especially if there’s a musty smell or signs of humidity. Here’s a Realtor tip for you: Check out houses after a heavy rain, especially if you suspect water seepage.
My other half is a general contractor, so we would handle both aspects. He mentioned it seems like water damage, but without removing the drywall, you can’t be certain of the cause. We’ve seen houses where it was obvious there had been water damage repairs, but when we inquired, the realtor denied any damage ever occurring.
But I don’t think most people are familiar with the signs of water damage or poorly done repairs. 🤷🏼♀️
That’s accurate and if you want to pursue a non-disclosure claim now, you’d have to finance and file a lawsuit. You’d also need an expert to testify about long-term causation and prove that the sellers were aware of it~ a tough spot to be in court. It might be easier and cheaper to find and fix the issue on your own.
There’s the ideal scenario and then there’s the legal reality of the situation. Dealing with insurance litigation, I have firsthand experience with this matter.
I have an older house and this happened in my bathroom. It was probably due to previous water damage and no matter how much painting or scraping I did, it wouldn’t go away. I ended up completely redoing the bathroom, removing the plaster, and the drywall has been fine ever since. I hope you don’t have to go through the same thing, but it’s highly likely if it took years to show up.
If the interior and exterior were painted, why is that considered a red flag? Personally, I was pleased when the previous owners painted my entire home because it saved me the trouble. Although I did end up changing the colors in my bathroom later on.
Totally, painting before selling is like giving a car a good detail before selling it. But in this case, it’s even worse than putting lipstick on a pig.
My inspector mentioned that fresh paint can cover up issues.
Yeah, I get that. I’d prefer it to be painted before I move in instead of doing it all myself. I’ve painted a few rooms in my house just to switch up the colors. The last thing I’d want to do is paint when moving in.
Got it. I suppose it all boils down to personal taste! 😁
How old is the house? It seems like there may have been unsuccessful repairs done on the plaster. If it is plaster and lath, your best option might be to completely replace it with drywall.
The house was constructed in 1956, but got a makeover in the early 2000s. The bathroom has a different look compared to the rest of the house. I believe most of the house is made of plaster, but I’m not certain about the bathroom.
: This reminds me of my parents’ old plaster walls. I suggest cutting a couple of exploratory holes to see what’s happening behind there. Drywall compound isn’t the best for plaster repairs, so you might need a different solution. And it looks like someone tried to fix a hole in the ceiling without much success. Checking for moisture is also important in this case.
My best advice would be to track where the water is coming from. If you’re looking to repair the damage, consider removing the affected area to investigate further. Some good suggestions include checking the vent pipe or other water sources that may be connected to the bathroom. After fixing the source of the water issue, you can then repair the ceiling using Sheetrock and float. You can find plenty of helpful tutorials on YouTube on how to fix drywall.
The previous homeowner did a terrible job taping, probably tried to do it himself lol. If there’s no water damage, just sand it down, retape it, or hire a professional taper.
Find out by ripping it off
I’m not saying it happens all the time, but it does happen most of the time. Homeowners who want to sell for a higher price are often advised to paint everything white to make rooms appear larger and cleaner. However, sometimes a house may have been painted directly over mold or nicotine stains, which only covers up the issues. These problems may only become noticeable after you’ve already moved in. If you have insurance, talk to them and check your surveyor’s report, as you may be covered if potential problems with your new house were missed.
Or it could be newly plastered and just painted over with cheap emulsion. No mist coat was applied, so the paint hasn’t soaked into the plaster and is sitting on the surface. If there’s moisture around, it will bubble up or even peel off in bits. Try scraping it off to see if it reveals bare plaster underneath.
It seems like they may have painted over dirt, grease, or mildew without properly cleaning or prepping the surface.