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Candles pretend to be Mold

By Tom Sinclair

Home Inspector with About the House - Home Inspections

September 20, 2007 04:33 PM

Another recent inspection you might find interesting.

I received a call from a homeowner concerned about mold in their home. Their AC filters were turning black and there was black material around the HVAC registers in the ceiling. And, get this, there were black stains on the plastic liner of the dishwasher and the refrigerator and black stains on the plastic storage containers in the pantry.

After a THOROUGH inspection including an Internet search for "black stains on fabric" I reached the conclusion that it was the candles that the family burned regularly that were causing the black stains everywhere INCLUDING the dishwasher, the refrigerator and the Tupperware.

Funny thing... The homeowners admitted a mold allergy, but were not experiencing any symptoms.

Stop burning candles. Clean the AC system. Problem solved.

Whew! That was a good one!

Tom Sinclair

About the House - Home Inspections

Fairhope, Alabama

(251) 990-3169

www.InspectTestAnalyze.com

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Julie Chapman

Julie Chapman Broker - Ormond Beach, FL

Daytona Beach Shores, Florida

This is a common problem and thanks for sharing this information (I, of course, am a candle burner and learned to purchased smokeless candles....

Sep 20, 2007 04:41 PM

Donna Quanrud

Coldwell Banker Burnet - Eden Prairie, MN

Donna Quanrud Southwest Metro Homes

Also another reason to burn soy candles because they don't leave the soot residue.

Sep 20, 2007 04:48 PM

Candy Henthorne

Results Realty - Spring, TX

Spring Texas Real Estate

I too love candles and have heard of this before. I still love them however.

Sep 20, 2007 04:58 PM

Christy Avila

J and C Realty - Yucaipa, CA

That's kinda funny!! I love candles so I can relate.

Sep 20, 2007 05:38 PM

Darrel Quebedeaux

Evergreen Realty & Associates Inc. - Newport Coast, CA

Most interesting, thanks

Sep 20, 2007 05:41 PM

Karen Rice Keller Williams Real Est

Keller Williams Real Estate - Hawley, PA

Northeast PA & Lake Wallenpaupack Home Sales

Who knew? I didn't. I had no idea that candles did this...unless they are cheapo crappy ones.

Sep 20, 2007 05:57 PM

Renee L. Norton

Birmingham, AL

I don't burn candles very often, so i never thought about them putting out so much soot. However, considering the homeowner was thinking they had a mold problem, I guess they were relieved. I certainly would have been.

Sep 20, 2007 06:45 PM

Steve Shaw

Keller Williams Realty - Mobile, AL

e-PRO, Gulf Region Properties Team

Tim,

That was kind of strange. You would never thought candles would do some much damage.

Sep 21, 2007 03:47 AM

James Quarello

JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC - Wallingford, CT

Connecticut Home Inspector

This occurs often especially, as you pointed out, with people who burn alot of candles. It is sometimes referred to as ghosting. The candle soot, soot from a wood stove or dust and dirt, will "plate out" at differing concentrations due to the thermal variations of the surfaces. This phenomenon is usually visible on walls. The stud lines will be visible where the majority of soot accumulates. You may also see this at wall bases with carpeted floors. The carpet will be black right at the baseboard molding. This is due to air leakage and the carpet acting as a "filter".

Sep 23, 2007 12:48 AM

Candles pretend to be Mold

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