Any thoughts from y'all I can relay back to the National Trust's Forum
listserv regarding the attached?

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>Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1998 16:18:47 -0500 (CDT)
>From: [log in to unmask] (tommy h. jones)
>Subject: Re: Mystery Floor Markings (Stigmata?)
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>>>> <[log in to unmask]> 08/20 8:44 PM >>>
>>>My husband and I are restoring an 1890s Queen Anne with a checkered past.
>>>While we have accomplished the removal of pounds of pigeon guano and
>>>yards of
>>> really smelly linoleum, there is one particularly disturbing item which
>>>defies
>>>logic. Along the perimeter of the dining room floor (random-width red pine)
>>>and reaching into the center of the room, there are markings which reappear
>>> with high humidity.
>>>
>>> The first time I saw the floor in this condition, I thought water had
>>>come in
>>> through the windows, or in the cleaning process. Since then, the
>>>"watermark"
>>> has receded with dry days and open windows, and returned in full force with
>>> humid/rainy weather. I should add that the perimeter of the floor also
>>>carries
>>> a distinctive aroma of urine, now only noticeable occasionally.
>>>
>>> The basement below is damp, but there are serviceable windows which are now
>>> open, as are the dining room windows on good days. The 'stigmata' may be
>>> caused by an oily substance in the wood which is somehow forced to the
>>>surface
>>> by the absorption of water in the air. We have questioned Margaret
>>>Westfield,
>>> an historic preservation consultant, as well as our painter Bob Kay (Iron
>>> Horse Painting Co.) who works exclusively on historic buildings -
>>>neither had
>>> a clue.
>
>>> Any ideas???
>>>
>>> Janice Wilson Stridick
>>> Merchantville, NJ
>>> [log in to unmask]

___________________________
>>Janice:
>>
>> I have a similar "watermark" problem in the bathroom of my American
>>Foursquare.  I bought the house just over a year ago and several times
>>over the past year I have found a large (but isolated) puddle of water
>>towards the center of the floor.  It only seems to happen after
>>particularly heavy rains, the rest of the time the floor is perfectly
>>dry.  I have checked the windows, ceiling, floor, shower caulking and
>>there is never any sign of moisture except for this one spot.  Previous
>>owners covered the hardwood floor with vinyl tiles, but these are in good
>>condition.  I am mystified as to what is causing this problem.
>
>>Wendy L. Price
>>Fredericksburg, VA

___________________
>My theory about this is that urine soaks into the floor (especially if
>the finish is worn and does not seal the wood completely), the liquid
>evaporates and leaves behind salts and stuff that absorb moisture
>during rainy or humid weather and, thus, change the color of the floor;
>additionally, instead of the smell of roses that you might get with
>conventional stigmata, these give off the smell of urine, especially if
>a previous occupant lost control of their pet (or themselves) for a
>very long time.  Since no amount of cleaning or sanding will remove the
>residue, the only solution is to thoroughly seal (i.e., varnish or
>shellac) the wood and maintain the finish.
>
>tommy h. jones

_________________________________________________

Dan Becker                                              Raleigh Historic
Executive Director, RHDC                        Districts Commission
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