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AIR BYPASS LEAKS
AIR LEAK DETECTION TOOLS
  Find Heat Loss & Air Leaks
  Heat Loss Investigation Sequence
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  Smoke Gun for Air Leaks
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  Duct System Air Movement
  Living Space Heat Loss
  Targets & Hidden Leak Points
  Convective Loops & Thermal Bypass Leaks
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  The Bottom Line on Energy Retrofits
AIR LEAK MINIMIZATION
AIR SEALING STRATEGIES
ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION IN BUILDINGS
ATTIC LEAKS, CONDENSATION & ATTIC MOLD
BLOWER DOORS & AIR INFILTRATION
CARPET TEST GUIDE
ENERGY SAVINGS in BUILDINGS
FRAMING DETAILS for BETTER INSULATION
FRAMING DETAILS for DOUBLE WALL HOUSES
HEAT LOSS in BUILDINGS
HEAT LOSS DETECTION TOOLS
HEAT LOSS INDICATORS
HEAT LOSS R U & K VALUE CALCULATION
Heat Tapes: Use on Roofs for Ice
HEATING COST SAVINGS METHODS
HEAT LOSS CALCULATIONS
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HUMIDITY LEVEL TARGET
ICE DAM PREVENTION
INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT GUIDE
INSULATION & VENTILATION INSPECTION & IMPROVEMENT
Insulation Air & Heat Leaks
INSULATION LOCATION for BASEMENTS
INSULATION LOCATION for CAPES, CRAWLSPACES
INSULATION for GREENHOUSE or SOLARIUM
INSULATION MATERIAL IDENTIFICATION GUIDE
INSULATION R-Values & Properties
INTERIORS of BUILDINGS
Investigation of Indoor House Dust Debris
MOLD INFORMATION CENTER
MOLD APPEARANCE - WHAT MOLD LOOKS LIKE
MOLD APPEARANCE - STUFF THAT IS NOT MOLD
MOLD INSPECTORS & MOLD TESTERS
ROOF VENTING ENERGY SAVING DETAILS
SIDING WOOD
STAIN DIAGNOSIS on Building Exteriors
STAIN DIAGNOSIS on Indoor Surfaces
STAINS on Indoor Surfaces: PHOTO GUIDE
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
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  Human Occupant Stains on Walls
  Stains from Candles, Woodstoves, Fireplaces
  Other Stains on Indoor Walls & Ceilings
  What to Do About Thermal Tracking
THERMAL EXPANSION of MATERIALS
THERMAL MASS in BUILDINGS
THERMAL MASS in UPSTAIRS
VAPOR BARRIERS & AIR SEALING at BAND JOISTS
VAPOR BARRIERS & CONDENSATION in BUILDINGS
VAPOR BARRIERS & HOUSEWRAP
VAPOR CONDENSATION & BUILDING SHEATHING
SIDING WOOD
STAIN DIAGNOSIS on Building Exteriors
STAIN DIAGNOSIS on Indoor Surfaces
STAINS on Indoor Surfaces: PHOTO GUIDE

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Photograph of candle soot smudging a wall How to Recognize & Diagnose Indoor Stains from Candles, Woodstoves, Fireplaces
InspectAPedia®  -    

  • How to Recognize & Diagnose Indoor Stains from Candles, Woodstoves, Fireplaces
  • A photo-guide to common indoor ceiling and wall stains and what they mean
  • Links to more photos of indoor ceiling or wall stains that are not toxic mold
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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

Photograph of candle soot smudging a wall Photograph of candle soot smudging a wall

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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  • Thanks to Alan Carson, Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, for technical critique and content suggestions regarding thermal tracking.

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

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS - INSPECT, TEST, REMEDY
MOLD INFORMATION CENTER
WHAT MOLD LOOKS LIKE
MOLD IN HOMES
USING LIGHT TO FIND MOLD
MOLD BY MICROSCOPE
STUFF THAT IS NOT MOLD
DIAGNOSE OTHER DARK STAINS on Indoor Surfaces
STAINS on Indoor Surfaces: PHOTO GUIDE
CARPET TEST GUIDE
Investigation of Indoor House Dust Debris

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