WALLSTAINS...soot like, above every radiator. Any ideas why?

[gravillage]

We have central heating and it is wring fine. We are about to redecorate but we have bad stains on the walls directly above every radiator, like burnt, soot like shadows throughout the whole house?
Any ideas? I do not air clothes on radiators upstairs and they are are badly stained too. I have not recently painted so I guess it can't be the paint reacting? I don't want to redecorate to find in a week these stand returning?

 

[45yearsagasman]

Its heat stain and it's very common. Time to get the paint roller out and wipe the walls above the rads more frequently.

 

[gas112]

Also could be a badly burning open flued apliance spilling fumes , gas ,oil or coal .
or gas oven used to heat house

 

[MJN]

If that were the case why would the stains be above the radiators?

 

[Baxmax]

Because the heat is drawing your ciggy smoke towards the rad

 

[MJN]

Ah, thanks Baxmax.

 

[FiremanT]

Because the heat is drawing your ciggy smoke towards the rad

yep, a convection current.

IS there any fire etc which could be spilling and introducing more than usual paticles into the immediate environment?

 

[mickyg]

could just be a dirty house

 

[Baxmax]

could just be a dirty house

Doh !..... and i thought "the ciggy smoke suggestion " was a bit strong