Help - mysterious stain on wall

Paul T · 12-19-2023, 07:13 AM

So, this morning I just noticed these stains on the hallway wall leading upstairs. Can’t say for certain how long they have been there but I can’t imagine more than 24 hours - I think I would have noticed this immediately. Whatever it is, is completely dry, not sticky at all - it does wipe off with water, but takes a bit of effort. Sure looks like it is emanating from the molding/wall seam but everything there is bone dry. It doesn’t smell and is not at all sticky. It’s almost like a stain. Anyone ever have anything similar?

Nothing has been recently painted or stained (12+ yrs ago), no one smokes and we don’t have kids, so I’m pretty certain it is not a spill of some sort. As a side note (perhaps related?), I did have quite a few yellow jackets in the house this past August. I probably found 5-10 per day. Could this be residue from a next? I’ve considered that, but I’ve never once heard buzzing or anything….and this wall is not really near where I’ve noticed bees in the past. The bees are frequently a nuisance late summer but I’ve never really thought they could be nesting as I figured I’d hear them. House is mostly foam insulated and there is no attic space above where this is occurring.

Thanks in advance for anything thoughts!!

The Synergizer · The Synergizer's Garage

Roof leak?
Beehive in the wall?

Paul T · 12-19-2023, 07:42 AM

Beehive is my nightmare, but I’m beginning to lean in that direction. I would have thought the substance would be sticky though? And thicker. I cleaned it up, I guess I’ll see if it reappears….very odd.

Dixie · Dixie's Garage

What's above it?

LWJ · 12-19-2023, 08:09 AM

I don't think my suggestion is correct, but I will throw it out there.

When I was a teen, my folks had a cabin in the woods with a woodstove. The flue pipe would emit similar stuff at times. Maybe water colored with creosote? But, I think that would smell.

Flatbutt1 · 12-19-2023, 08:16 AM

Any very old timber above the stain? It sure looks obvious that water is the vehicle.

Ayles · 12-19-2023, 08:22 AM

That looks like the little leak we had on our roof where the flashing meets the chimney. After the water filtered its way down to where it's visible it had a similar color.

Turbo_pro · 12-19-2023, 08:24 AM

Jethro Tull in the attic.

Paul T · 12-19-2023, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt. Carrera

What's above it?

Bedroom. No sign of anything amiss up there

craigster59 · craigster59's Garage

Surfactant leeching. In other words, paint additives leeching out and dripping down the wall....

https://www.sherwin-williams.com/en-us/project-center/maintenance-repair/surfactant-leaching

LEAKYSEALS951 · 08:34 AM

Is there a bathroom, plumbing, hot water heater, or washing machine above?

Doesn't even have to be that close by. Older house, it could have travelled some distance before finding a place to drip out there. The fact that it wasn't there, suddenly appeared, and is now dry makes me think of shower drain leak of something - only pouring out water when in use.

Paul T · 12-19-2023, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ayles

That looks like the little leak we had on our roof where the flashing meets the chimney. After the water filtered its way down to where it's visible it had a similar color.

That's interesting, there is a flue in the wall adjacent to where the pic was taken. Will take a look at flashing...thanks

Paul T · 12-19-2023, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEAKYSEALS951

Is there a bathroom, plumbing, hot water heater, or washing machine above?

Doesn't even have to be that close by. Older house, it could have travelled some distance before finding a place to drip out there.

No water really close by. House is about 12 years old. The odd part is nothing was wet - not even a little. Whatever it is was dried hard to the surface...took some scrubbing to get off.

Paul T · 12-19-2023, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craigster59

Surfactant leeching. In other words, paint additives leeching out and dripping down the wall....

https://www.sherwin-williams.com/en-us/project-center/maintenance-repair/surfactant-leaching

Interesting, thanks. Looking at the pattern though, it sure appears like this "leak" or whatever it is began at the top and oozed down with gravity....that's how it appears to me at least.

craigster59 · craigster59's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul T

Interesting, thanks. Looking at the pattern though, it sure appears like this "leak" or whatever it is began at the top and oozed down with gravity....that's how it appears to me at least.

You might have some condensation build up affecting the older latex paint or a small leak. Lots of articles and solutions on a quick search to take care of it.

Bill Douglas · 12-19-2023, 08:47 AM

I also think it's a roof leak. the water can travel down inside the wall then when it meets a structure such as the floor and ceiling of the next level downstairs it comes out where the wall meets the ceiling. It's dry because it's not much water and evaporates quickly. the color is from the timbers in the roof structure and walls. My guess...

Paul T · 12-19-2023, 08:49 AM

Thanks all for the ideas, much appreciated. I will look into the roof...I think I find that to be much preferable to bees!

rfuerst911sc · 12-19-2023, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt. Carrera

What's above it?

The bees nest 😋

Steve Carlton · 12-19-2023, 08:57 AM

Or maybe (probably not), a dead body in a leaky garbage bag.

Paul T · 09:36 AM

Just remembered I had a moisture meter laying around that I picked up a few years ago….there is definitely some moisture there….

It’s all right at that corner….if I move a couple inches in any direction I get zero.

EDIT: Got readings as high as 25% in far left edge.