I know this post is super old, but maybe this will help some of you. Most homeowners thinking vacuum cleaning gets rid of this problem, but it can actually make it worse. And for starting the thread! If anyone can help me at all I'd really appreciate it. The board was really mouldy. Best of luck to you, I know this is a really old thread, but I just learned what is causing the black dust in our home. If I wipe down the hot water heater (which is in a closet in the garage) within 2 weeks the heater will again be covered in black dust. After having read about 20 webpages about black dust problems, I can't figure out what's going on. We are literally changing our furnace filter and Levoit air filter daily! Due to the complex electrical process that this situation causes, the particles have both a positive and a negative charge. A couple of weeks go by and I notice it again. Noticed problem began about 4yrs ago and is now there all the time. I just found this while looking up why I have fine black dust accumulating on my white kitchen cabinets and anything plastic inside my kitchen cabinets. Its on the mail thats sits on the desk for a couple weeks its almost like a dark stain, cant wipe it of like regular dust. It is very dangerous and you should definately have it all removed. Vacuum in the right way. There was also similar looking mold/sprout on the dishwasher side (picture attached). Don't forget to examine the return air filter. But what happens is that the house wants to bring in air to even out the air pressure; trying to inhale, as it were. Its not like dust though really, its on the walls lamps furniture everything. After a few candle hours, users can wipe the screen with a clean, white tissue. There is no gas in the house. Many blessings to all. Once an engineering design firm, BEC found an increasing demand for forensic engineering--figuring out why buildings are failing. Be brave. Black dust only occurs during the winter months of December to February. In another case, Advanced Energy was called to investigate a problem house where all of the carpeting had been replaced twice, as a result of mysterious black lines that appear every 4 ft on our upstairs carpeting. When she finally called us at Advanced Energy for an analysis, we discovered that her vacuum cleaner was the actual source of the problem! The most recent and increasingly common form of staining is caused not by dirt or dust but by soot (see Dirt and Dust Also Cause Ghosting Stains). If you’ve checked your air filter to find it black instead of the usual layer of grey dirt and dust, that’s not normal. Randomly checked the air filters on Oct.5th and they were SOLID black..... in 4 days! So basically, although it seems like dust comes out of nowhere, in fact, it actually comes from one of two places: indoors or outdoors. The first time I noticed it was when I took a plastic cup out of the cabinet. My wife and daughter tend to bust out a couple candles on the holidays... both my kids and wife do not really have the sensitivity to this but I do. What could be causing this?? When the homeowner warmed the car up each morning, the return duct sucked the exhaust from the car, and the soot then leaked into the floor volume from the supply leaks. Bailey's tests include burning different candles in small chambers while passing air through the box and through a filter. A nicely illustrated article is http://www.chemistryland.com/CHM107Lab/Exp01_AirFilter/NewLab/Exp1Air.html. Nothing more. Carpet acts as a sponge for dust. First and foremost, contact a certified inspector who can tell you whether the black substance clinging in and around the vents and ducts is actually black mold. New build home, just moved in July 2020 new refrigerator, new HVAC unit, new everything. The dust on the floor gets absorbed by the damp mop. black dust on walls and appliances I have had a black dust like substance an my walls and appliances since I turned on my heat this year. We recently bought a house built in 1995, and we have found that we constantly have lots of fine, black dust everywhere. What happens: In a house that is well insulated and nearly airtight, the air pressure is lower indoors than out because air movers (dryers and exhaust fans, for example) are pushing air out of the house, and the house is too tight for new air to come in to balance off the pressure. Dirt and dust stains are gray, but if they are present long enough or in high enough concentrations, they can be near-black in color. Or, particles will follow the vent stack into the attic, and land on the attic insulation. It’s only near plastic like plastic Solo cups or on the wall by my TV. Wiped dust with a rag and it did not streak, i had wipe fairly hard to remove dust. When a wall is open to an attic, the air will find that hole and the carpet will filter the air as it passes through. No one has been feeling sick or anything like that so I'm just wondering what this is. Thanks to everyone that has sent me comments on this. That is not mold though. Now my interior doors and trim work. It stains the plastic fan blades. Help!! As a result, your carpet will begin to accumulate dust mites as time goes on. Candle fanatics: That black stuff is in your lungs if you burn candles. Everything white is coated with this stuff. The mixture of the various fragrances and chemicals can result in a candle that is going to burn dirtier than expected. Check in a week to see if the interior dust and exterior dust look the same. This is a second floor unit on a 2 story building. I still have the black dust problem. Stand next to a window the next time the sun is shinning. I now use a very good air purifier made by Dyson. Cape Cod home/Surfer vibe. I think it’s just the way it is. @Larry: What is the MERV rating on your filters? You. I have never had this and do not know where it comes from. Yet the filters never seem to get dirty. I woke up one morning with black in my nose. I'm still doing the same thing only I haven't wasted my money or time painting it. NO idea about the black stuff in the corners. It is also common for random stains to appear on exterior wall surfaces. Yes it leaves stained. We just moved in to a new home. We have switched out air filters at least 3 times after moving in and they have the normal dirt and dust. Their number is XXXXX The black dust is on everything. Have been in since May 2015. Again thanks to everyone. I just bought in Naples and I have the black dust, i spent a week moping and steaming floors only to find it still there, my furnace is electric so nothing from that, does anyone know if getting the duct work cleaned helps. ***** EDIT ***** I figured it out this morning. Dust and Wipe Down Surfaces Naturally, one of the best ways to reduce dust in the home is to actually clean the dust away. Thanks to gravity, all debris eventually settles (assuming there's no wind, stack air, or forced air to keep it airborne). Thanks! Asked November 25, 2016, 3:12 PM EST. Make sure to keep your closets clean as well. Also, you could post in the HVAC forum https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/hvac. Also I used a humidifier in the house recently and after it ran for some time the water was black. Measured velocity in many of the houses with soot deposition problems has been as high as 4,000 FPM, with typical numbers in the 1,500-2,000 FPM range. While it's impossible to completely rid your home of dust, here are some easy tips for keeping it at bay. High temperatures can cause different chemicals to behave differently once burned. One other clue for this problem was the Volvo with a diesel engine parked in the garage. In my basement, I have a small bathroom with one window that's never opened, and vinyl tiles on the floor with floor adhesive used to make them stick. Dust is everywhere. Not existing anywhere else, Black Dust is the most popularly used drug in the Kingdom due to the easy high euphoria granted from consuming it. Anyone familiar with construction knows that underneath the carpet, the subfloor usually consists of 4-ft x 8-ft sheets of plywood. Or, wind on one side of the house is pulling out the air, a venturi effect. Air moves in and around the insulation, often along framing members, and cools the surface of the Sheetrock. The more organized your home is, the fewer places dust … This lowest pressure area would be the main body of the house where the cold air return is located. I’m wondering if it has something to do with the building materials. The 3 main reasons why your house gets so dusty. We recently bought a house built in 1995, and we have found that we constantly have lots of fine, black dust everywhere. Take off your shoes when you enter your home to keep the dust outside. Carefully measure what pressures are caused by duct leakage and interior-door closure. I even found it inside my electric washer and dryer! Eliminate all sources but one; then examine the plastic after several days. The combustion of wood, paper, pellets, etc. Thailand guy: That's pollution. What are these pressures doing to any combustion zones, such as fireplaces or wood stoves? I get the black dust from the friction on the hinges. Carefully examine (and, where possible, performance-test) all combustion devices, including gas and wood log fireplaces (be sure to check the chimney), wood stoves, furnaces, and water heaters. He is coming finally this Tuesday. Sometimes a low chimney, one that is not higher than the roof ridge, will not exhaust smoke and particles high enough, and instead waft smoke and particles into the attic by way of the ridge vent. Louvered shutters on the outside for summer months. Dust and dirt from outside are frequently carried in the home by way of your shoes. Thank you. I've been at this place every day for a few months and never noticed this before so I don't think its been there too long..I really only noticed it a few days ago after restoring water to the dewinterized piping (so I tend to think that this mold isn't more than a week old). Graham says that in the majority of homes he's investigated, candles were the main source of sooting. I don’t have it throughout my house, only within up to 12” from plastic. There was one major particulate pollutant in every home. If necessary, run it in a totally dark room, lit with a high intensity lamp. I have complained to the builder (within the 1 year warranty). Recently used a humidifier in the house and after some time the water turned black and the tip where steam comes out is covered in the black dust. Fairly new furnace system - like four or five years old (I should mention we have only been here for 2 years) and we have an oil tank system, mostly hard duct and some flex duct. Look at a ray of light and you will see all the dust particles floating around. The fan motor will need to be replaced. in an open atmosphere within the home, will cause dust, dirt, carbon and ash to accumulate on all horizontal surfaces within the environment. I'm scared to death to be bring the baby home to this. Is this the mystery? Look for signs of occupant life-style and possible soot sources. He offered us use of one of his model homes to conduct some tests in. Sometimes a power vent (a burner or stove vent that does not need a chimney) that goes through the wall will contaminate the air, which is then drawn into the attic through the soffit vents. Candles are a top source of indoor air pollution. No central air. The dust is in the air. According to Spengler, human hair, skin flakes, observable dust in air, and common pollens, all ranging in diameter from less than 10 microns (dust) to 150 microns (human hair), require approximately five seconds to settle 1 m (3.2 ft). This happens often in new, tight houses. This method is environmental friendly as well. Dust is an accumulation of small particles that include bits of cloth fibers, paper, hair, pet dander, skin cells, dirt, and more. It was black. We know that insulation should be installed without compression and voids to avoid cold interior surfaces. We have the same problem! I know someone who used to unpack tractor trailers and he said he found same soot-like stuff all over the products. So the air in the positively pressurized bedroom will seek the path of least resistance toward the lowest pressure. Excessively long or yellow pilots are possible sources of soot. Incidentally we don’t burn candles, or very infrequently. I am currently having this problem in a place i am renting, but we also are finding this "black dust" in our noses and my fiance is now coughing up black spots from it, but its stuck to everything plastic, we dont burn candles, and our only heat source is an electric heater thats built into the wall. Settled particles tend to cover most flat surfaces in a house in a rather uniform manner. right now!! I will be getting another. Finally, we know that homeowners--as well as builders and trade allies--must be educated on house-as-a-system issues and the consequences of various actions. Home Energy can be reached at: contact@homeenergy.org If your clients can afford it--great; it beats guessing what the source of the stain is. I even have the air filtration system added. Last week I went to doctor and told her about this. I have a dark gray very fine powder dust that is in my home somehow 60 miles West of Bangkok, Thailand. Ask your client lots of questions about how they live. You can't eliminate dust during construction, but there are ways to contain and remove as much of it as possible, Breathe easier with these 10 tips for busting mites, dander and other microscopic undesirables, All-black and coal-gray exteriors make a nonconformist statement on homes of any style and size, To-do list: Freshen up the house with crisp black doors, inside and out, Be bold. That way 99.9 percent of the dust stays in the cleaner. The return duct connection to the air handler was very leaky, as were all of the supply ducts. Black soot deposition inside your home is more than likely caused by: Burning scented candles Make sure you use a vacuum/bags suitable for VERY fine dust. Declutter. Examine the vacuum cleaner for possible contributions. Do you have window screens? Proper diagnostics--and more important, proper repairs-- require proper training. The specific dust found in a home is usually compromised of different things found within the home such as pet dander, human skin cells, human hair, and food particles. Nobody ever really knew what happened to Freebird. We keep having to clean thick black dust from the filters and fans. In fact, 60% of the dust in your home came from outdoors. air vents of my house. One candle burning for one hour is one candle hour. Although the black color often leads to the assumption that the sole ingredient of the material is from a combustion-related source, we have learned that this is not always the case. Thanks to a study by John Spengler of the Harvard School of Public Health, we know how long particles of different sizes can remain airborne. I’ve noticed the black stuff on the plastic switch covers. Few builders understand house-as-a-system interactions, and most seek a single source to blame for the problem. Now I’m starting to be concerned about our lungs. Me too and it’s very upsetting! I have an carbon monoxide detector but I guess I shouldn't have bought it on sale because it isn't working. I'm getting too old to do that now plus I have arthritis very bad so it's a little at a time. The dust held by the mop is removed by rinsing the mop after use. No smell, just a really fine powder like baby powder or eyeshadow. Everyone who reads this, check your refrigerators. We bought a house last October. Vacuum is the #1 culprit for spreading very fine black dust all over your house. First, particles that are simply passed along the fiberglass surface at high speed may receive a unipolar charge. It's so simple it hurts! In a building exposed to pressures from high stack effect (warm air rising) or mechanical pressures (such as those from duct leakage or exhaust fans), staining can sometimes occur at the carpet edge where the interior or exterior wall joins the carpet. I have electric heat. Look for insulation anomalies behind the walls where the stains appear. We moved in here in Feb and I noticed this black dust then, when I was organizing my kitchen. Several of them including the electric company. Could they be producing chemical “gases” that are getting trapped inside because of the sealed tight home? It was TIRE DUST! It may alternatively be due to soot produced from candles. Even if you aren’t allergic to pet dander, keeping your pets well-groomed can help cut down on the amount of dust and dust mites in your home. Plastic cups in the cupboard have made the cupboard near them black. Suddenly, in the last week, there is black stuff EVERYWHERE!! But with many of the candles in stores today, we find a mixture of materials, including some fragrances that were not intended for this use. on second thought, forget about this. If you have your windows open, that might be the source of your problem. Thus, the particles are now attracted to each other, and collect to form larger, more visible particles. I had a log stove put in this year and it’s great but I’m worried about it being the cause of all this sooty marking in my home. If the outside air is clean, there is no problem. Everything has been great! They look exactly like what they are, white filters, and work really well. This brown dust actually accumulates more in winter - and I’ve lived briefly in one old house that had oil heat and I vaguely recall a similar brown dust that got on every surface. You may also want to ask guests to remove their shoes before coming inside. Pet Dander When pets are present in the home, they will produce allergens into the air which are identified as ‘pet dander’. I need to see the space can’t quite get my head to where you are going and IMO you do all the rest then figure what color for hardware. My wife will now sneeze more frequently, but I’ve noticed I’ve had a few issues breathing of late. It seems as though a layer of dust appears on my furniture mere hours after I clean. We moved into our new home Jan 2014. When she began to find dust stains, she thought she must have been doing a poor job of vacuuming. I have allergy problems too. Think about going stylishly dark instead, Hide imperfections, energize a space, highlight a view and more with a little bit of darkness that goes a long way, http://rugsandcarpets.about.com/od/Carpet-Cleaning/a/Filtration-Soiling.htm, https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/hvac, http://www.chemistryland.com/CHM107Lab/Exp01_AirFilter/NewLab/Exp1Air.html, What to Know About Controlling Dust During Remodeling, What You Need to Know About Dust and How to Fight It, On Trend: Bold and Black Exterior House Color, 11 Reasons to Paint Your Interior Doors Black, 8 Reasons to Paint Your Interior Trim Black, How to clean space between glass and iron grill without hosing it down. Examine the duct system as to material type and integrity. Vacuums often leak more dust back to the house than they remove. Please help!!?? 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