Why have walls all darkened in colour?

[blueharvester]

We have a small two bedroom terrace house which we have rented out since last April. Prior to this we lived in the house ourselves for two years. When we first moved in we painted all the walls with Delux Barley White. When we moved out last April all the walls were perfect with no visible darkening. However, the current tennants have just moved out and they've taken all their pictures off the walls and we've noticed that the walls have been significantly darkened! The entire house will now need repainted!

Why would this happen? Could it be because the tennants may have used the electric fire in the living room quite a lot? Also, I think they may have burned candles in the house quite a bit.

Would painting all the walls with a satin finish rather than matt help prevent this in the future i.e. what's the best type of paint to use for low maintenance?

 

[JohnD]

it's dirt (soot).

candles, yes, also cigarette smoke. even dust a bit.

 

[Growler]

Candles is your prob.
Seen it dozens of times and they make a right mess.
Soft sheen or silk would wash better than a matt but even that can remain dirty after washing.

Women and candles eh.

 

[blueharvester]

Candles is your prob.
Seen it dozens of times and they make a right mess.
Soft sheen or silk would wash better than a matt but even that can remain dirty after washing.

Women and candles eh.

We have even noticed the walls darkened way up in the stair well (we have open plan living room) where there would be no candles. Would candle soot still affect this area?

 

[JohnD]

the black carbon particles are very fine and drift in the air, carried by circulating current, until they find something to stick to.

You will find a strong black circle directly above a candle in still air, or if you hold (e.g.) a metal tray over it for a minute. but if not captured in concentrated form, the particles just travel round.

You also get it from open fires, though they also generate grey dust from ash, so you will be more aware of the dirt.

general household dust and dirt also cause it over a longer period

 

[big-all]

gas can also cause discolouration especialy cooking!!!!

 

[Zampa]

Candles is your prob.
Seen it dozens of times and they make a right mess.
Soft sheen or silk would wash better than a matt but even that can remain dirty after washing.

Women and candles eh.

Hmmm...

 

[confidentincompetent]

Hmmm...

Wonder if property is near a busy road.. All them Diesel fumes?
Mind Have to say any walls where a pic has hung will show up. Water based wll be light behind, gloss very yellow.

 

[Growler]

Candles is your prob.
Seen it dozens of times and they make a right mess.
Soft sheen or silk would wash better than a matt but even that can remain dirty after washing.

Women and candles eh.

We have even noticed the walls darkened way up in the stair well (we have open plan living room) where there would be no candles. Would candle soot still affect this area?

Absolutely.
If you want to find out where your cobwebs are...light some candles and it will highlight them for you.
I do a 4 bed cottage in the country, all the way through, every 18 months because she burns candles all over the place.
Painted a lounge, brilliant white, 12 years ago and it's still good. If they'd have burnt candles in same room, it would be black in 12 months and all the way up the radiator wall.

Candles and those oil burners are great for business.
Burn them at your expense.

 

[blueharvester]

Candles is your prob.
Seen it dozens of times and they make a right mess.
Soft sheen or silk would wash better than a matt but even that can remain dirty after washing.

Women and candles eh.

We have even noticed the walls darkened way up in the stair well (we have open plan living room) where there would be no candles. Would candle soot still affect this area?

Absolutely.
If you want to find out where your cobwebs are...light some candles and it will highlight them for you.
I do a 4 bed cottage in the country, all the way through, every 18 months because she burns candles all over the place.
Painted a lounge, brilliant white, 12 years ago and it's still good. If they'd have burnt candles in same room, it would be black in 12 months and all the way up the radiator wall.

Candles and those oil burners are great for business.
Burn them at your expense.

So should I wash the walls down with sugar soap first or can I just give the walls a wipe to remove any access and then start painting?

 

[Growler]

If the ceil/walls are washable - yes, if not - no, or all you'll do is spread the dirt around and make it worse.
Forget the gym, get a good roller and spring into action.