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What’s with those ghostly gray stains on the outside corners of the ceiling and walls? The stains outline the stud framing, and they even seem darker where there are nails in the drywall.
Most ghostly outlines like this are caused by soot in the air. Soot collects at framing, under doors, around pictures and on plastic appliances. Often the soot comes from burning candles, but it can also result from other combustion sources, like a gas fireplace.
Soot is very light; it floats easily and invisibly. Wherever the air slows or changes direction, soot can be deposited. This explains the stains at pictures and under doors, but why does soot outline the stud framing?
Often there is no insulation at the edges of studs on outside walls or ceilings. Instead, insulation is placed between the studs. As air slows around the cooler drywall at the uninsulated stud edge, soot gets deposited in a ghostly outline. The nails are also cooler than their surroundings, so you may see soot spots at the drywall nails or screw heads.
The quick fix: eliminate the source of soot, then clean and paint the walls. Before painting, use a good primer such as BIN to cover the remaining soot.
Soot stains are dark, powdery deposits that often appear on walls and ceilings as a result of incomplete combustion. These stains can be caused by burning candles, fireplaces, or appliances that do not vent properly.
Soot particles are extremely fine and cling stubbornly to surfaces, creating unsightly discoloration and often signaling underlying ventilation or combustion problems. Recognizing and understanding these stains is the first step to addressing their cause and ensuring they don’t pose a long-term issue in your home.
Soot forms indoors primarily from the incomplete combustion of carbon-based materials, such as wood, candles, oil, or gas. When these materials burn, they release tiny black particles into the air, which can eventually settle on walls, ceilings, and other surfaces.
Poor ventilation often exacerbates soot accumulation, allowing the particles to linger in the air and adhere to surfaces more easily. Indoor sources like improperly functioning fireplaces, space heaters, or smoking indoors can contribute significantly to soot formation. Understanding how soot forms is essential for identifying the root cause and taking steps to minimize its occurrence in your home.
