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Help! We have a spec home with a vaulted ceiling in the living area. We have noticed “shadows” developing in the sheetrock that correspond to studs in the walls and ceiling. I think they are composed of dust or maybe soot from our wood stove; I don’t think it’s mildew. However, I’ve tried wiping down an area with TSP with little noticable effect. Whichever, I don’t know why it’s clinging to the sheetrock just in those areas. Is this a venting problem? Or insulating? Or is it part of living in W. Washington? Or could it simply be a matter of poor prep and paint by the bulider?
Bill Mitchell
Freeland, WA
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B,
What typically causes that is a difference in temperature between the drywall backed by studs and the rest of the wall. The difference in temperature creates small air currents/edies; the increased air movement means more dust/dirt impacts the walls at those points.
Usually I see it in older houses without insulation in the walls, but not always. Running unvented heaters (e.g. keroscene heaters) or burning some candles can add to the problem.
You ought to have your woodstove checked out; if it's leaking soot into the home, it could also be leaking CO into the home, as well.
*Right on Bob!fv
*Bill, this has come up before, many ideas here--Joe Hhttp://webx.taunton.com/WebX?50@@.eea7eba/0http://webx.taunton.com/WebX?50@@.ee83c81http://webx.taunton.com/WebX?128@@.ee82265
*I'll quote FredB from his response to a similar question a year ago: "Very common problem in cold climates. Exacerbated if homeowners are smokers or if there is an attached garage or shop. You all are right on track; it is caused by the thermal conductivity of the studs and the dirt in the house. Solution? Since the house is already built no practical help by reworking the walls or air exchange system. But the owner can install good furnace filters(Forced Air), air cleaners, and seal infiltration areas between the house and any attached dirty areas. Stopping smoking helps too. If heating with oil can also ensure the stack exhaust doesn't get sucked back into the house."To which I would would add that the problem with cooler temperatures at the stud locations is that volatile stuff (water vapor, grease, etc) condenses there first. Then the smoke, dust, and soot stick to the water and grease. Dark paint helps, but those of us in cold, northern climates want lots of light for our winter-time mental health. You just have to repaint every 5-7 years (3-4 years in Fairbanks). Better ventilation in the kitchen would help. If the stove is on, the fan should be run on high. -David
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Help! We have a spec home with a vaulted ceiling in the living area. We have noticed "shadows" developing in the sheetrock that correspond to studs in the walls and ceiling. I think they are composed of dust or maybe soot from our wood stove; I don't think it's mildew. However, I've tried wiping down an area with TSP with little noticable effect. Whichever, I don't know why it's clinging to the sheetrock just in those areas. Is this a venting problem? Or insulating? Or is it part of living in W. Washington? Or could it simply be a matter of poor prep and paint by the bulider?
Bill Mitchell
Freeland, WA