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This article describes & diagnoses the cause of various interior wall and ceiling stains and explains how to recognize thermal tracking, thermal bridging stains, building air leaks, and building insulation defects. Often these stains are mistaken for toxic indoor mold. Readers should see HEAT LOSS in BUILDINGS. Also see AIR SEALING STRATEGIES and AIR LEAK DETECTION TOOLS as well as AIR LEAK MINIMIZATION. For photos of snow melt on rooftops that also show points of building heat transfer and loss, see STAIN DIAGNOSIS on Building Exteriors.

Review these items to learn recognize non-fungal materials or even possibly harmless cosmetic "black mold" often mistaken for "toxic fungal growth." © Copyright 2009 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

How to Recognize Wall or Ceiling Stains due to use of Candles, Woodstoves, or Fireplaces

Smokers or scented candle hazards: In buildings where occupants are or have been smokers, or where occupants burn candles, especially scented candles, thermal tracking will often be still more distinctly visible as soot stains in the thermal tracking patterns we've already discussed.

Since scented candles can be a source of indoor air quality problems including toxic lead deposition and perfumes which are respiratory irritants to some people, thermal tracking on buildings combined with this evidence can also be a clue useful in diagnosing indoor air quality complaints.

In these photographs, all of the stains visible appear due to use of candles. Note the absence of framing-interval staining (16" or 24" on center) which would have been characteristic of thermal tracking, even of the candle soot, had the building surfaces been cool due to poor insulation.

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Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

THERMAL TRACKING & THERMAL BRIDGING
  What is Thermal Tracking
  Ceiling Thermal Tracking Marks
  Wall Thermal Tracking Stains
  Floor Carpet Thermal Tracking Stains
  Air Bypass Leaks Marks on Insulation
  Thermal Tracking to Diagnose IAQ
  Stains HVAC Supply Registers
  Pet Stains on Floors
  Pet Stains on Walls
  Human Occupant Stains on Walls
  Stains from Candles, Woodstoves, Fireplaces
  Other Stains on Indoor Walls & Ceilings
  What to Do About Thermal Tracking
SIDING WOOD
STAIN DIAGNOSIS on Building Exteriors
STAIN DIAGNOSIS on Indoor Surfaces
STAINS on Indoor Surfaces: PHOTO GUIDE
STAINS on Indoor Surfaces: PHOTO GUIDE
CARPET TEST GUIDE
also see Investigation of Indoor House Dust Debris

More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

• Attic Condensation and Ice Dam Leaks - Detection and Correcting Venting and Condensation Problems in Buildings
• INSULATION INSPECTION & IMPROVEMENT: Insulation in Buildings: Identification, R-values, Heat loss, Insulation Types, Insulation Characteristics
• Asbestos pipe insulation in buildings
• Brick "Insulation" in Building Walls
• HEAT LOSS CALCULATIONS, Insulation Properties, Definitions of R, K, U values, Insulation Design
• How to Detect and Correct Attic Condensation & Prevent Ice Dam Leaks in Buildings
• Insulation Materials as Indicators of Building Age
• Indoor Air Quality Investigations: Fiberglass in Indoor Air, HVAC ducts, and Building Insulation
• Insulation Identification Photographs - Fiberglass insulation photos, yellow, pink, green, white fiberglass identification in building attics, walls, ducts, other locations
• Insulation Identification Photographs - Cellulose insulation photos, Mineral wool insulation photos, rock wool insulation photos, cotton insulation photos, balsam wool insulation photos
• Insulation Identification Photographs - Vermiculite insulation photos
• Insulation Properties, Table of R-Values, density, moisture permeability, fire safety, aging effects on various insulation materials
• Mold in Fiberglass in Insulation
• Radiant Heat Floor Mistakes to Avoid case history of improper placement of slab insulation and radiant heat tubing
• Thermal Trackingthermal bridging & air leak stains in buildings or on building insulation
• Un-Vented Roof Solutions - How to Prevent Attic Condensation, Ice Dam Leaks, Roof Mold, & Roof Structural Damage in Buildings with Un-vented Roof Cavities
• Vermiculite Building Insulation & Asbestos
• Ice Dam Leaks in building attics and roof cavities, how to inspect for evidence of leaks, identify causes, and correct bad attic ventilation, improper roof venting, and these causes of attic mold or roof structure damage
• Looking for Mold what mold is often found where in buildings - simple technical presentation
• Mold spores in the Home - a Photo ID Library for detection and identification of mold allergens
• Recognizing Allergens: What various indoor allergens look like - identification photos to help identify pollen, dust mites, animal dander, toxic or allergenic mold - Common Mold and other Allergens, Irritants, Remedies & Advice
• Stuff that is not mold but is often mistaken for it - things you may not want to test. Also, not all "black mold" is toxic - here are examples of harmless black mold.
• Animal Allergens: Dog, Cat, and Other Animal Dander - Cleanup & Prevention Information for Asthmatics and regarding Indoor Air Quality.

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