Is the darkish line in every room a pattern of mold penetrating through the sheetrock from the wood studs?
Asked by Carter Lévesque 
8 months ago
Last Updated: April 24, 2024
Hey everyone! I noticed this on all the walls in my house and snapped some pics of each room. It’s not super noticeable in person, but the photos show a faint dark line running through every room. It seems like they’re evenly spaced about 16 inches apart. Could this be mold that seeped through the sheetrock and paint from the wooden studs? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Pursuing
How long have you lived there?
So, I’m guessing you have a natural gas fireplace, right? This happens when the oxygen/natural gas mix isn’t right. Look it up, you’ll understand what I mean.
Hey, I was about to mention that it almost resembles smoke marks
This occurs whether you have a vented or unvented fireplace.
We experienced a similar situation in our home as well before.
Those marks could possibly be caused by candles.
My parents have these contraptions with strings where you put scented oil and light it. They have them all around their room. Not sure about the studs, but they have that line along the ceiling.
I was thinking the exact same thing as well.
I was actually just about to mention the same thing.
2) Some of those items appear to be made of cheap plastic veneer, not real wood
You really nailed that explanation and I couldn’t agree more.
You know, , it’s quite likely a mix of fireplace usage and inadequate insulation; the repeated cycles of convection could be leading to what’s known as ghosting. It’s totally plausible that it’s smoke, but it could also be a buildup of condensation residue from the air due to insufficient protection against energy transfer with significant temperature differences between the surface and the air.
That’s spot on, !
That came from the radiators. I work in house cleaning and it should come off easily.
I’m not certain if it’s due to dust gathering and baking on the radiator slats, then circulating in the air like a candle. Consider updating the radiators.
When we were getting my parents’ house ready to sell, it had a similar look. They smoked for years. Using TSP, Killz, and quality paint did the trick.
That damage on the wall is likely from your fireplace.
I haven’t witnessed mold causing anything similar, not even in houses made with green lumber.
Look up thermal ghosting instead of assuming it’s smoke or mold. It’s likely due to insulation problems, especially since it’s 16” oc where the studs are located.
Using primer and paint can help you locate the studs for hanging items
https://youtu.be/6mdcHGK5ysE?feature=shared
It’s actually due to condensation resulting from the difference in temperature between the interior and exterior… which causes the drywall to become moist and attract smoke and dust… typically due to poor insulation and ventilation
3) While it is possible to use matte paint, I personally wouldn’t recommend it. Invest in a good trim enamel instead