Substance building up on Vinyl blinds within hours of putting them up

General Landlording & Rental Properties
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Substance building up on Vinyl blinds within hours of putting them up

Frank Germaine
Watertown, MA · Member since 2012 · 6 posts · 1 vote

I recently was replacing vinyl blinds at a property and noticed within hours of putting them up, they seemed off colored and splotchy. Thinking it was just the specific blinds I bought, I returned them and purchased different blinds from a different company. When putting he second round of new blinds up, I made sure they were white and left the house. I came back a few hours later and once again the white blinds had turned gray and splotchy. Whatever this substance is that is collecting on the blinds, it does not come off easily. It is not coming from the outside since the windows are closed! It is an old house (1910's) and I am worried that the substance is either in the air, or the blinds are reacting to something in the air. I will post a picture when I can figure out how to on this forum. In the meantime, any ideas on what is causing this? I am concerned! Thanks!

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Jon Holdman
Rental Property Investor · Mercer Island, WA · Member since 2008 · 22k+ posts · 14k+ votes
14y

Frank Germaine to post a picture, you need to upload it to a site such as photobucket. Then you can post the picture using the [ img ] and [ /img ] tags (without spaces). A photo site should have a way to generate the proper posting string for you. These tags are called BBCODE.

Is this stuff something that's stuck to the blinds? Or, has some chemical reaction occured in the blind itself from something in the house? Have you looked at the furnace filters?

Seems like if this was dust or something blowing out of the furnace it would be in more places than just the blinds. If you're not seeing this elsewhere, that makes me think this is some chemical that's circulating in the house and is reacting with the blinds. Do you know anything about the history of this house?

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  • Joel OwensBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Canton, GA · Member since 2010 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    14y

    Hard to tell.Have you taken off A/C- Heat vent covers and looked inside??

    Maybe your system needs to be cleaned (ducts)or you could also have mold in your ducts.

    What kind of air filter are you using??

    What does the walls and other areas look like??

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  • Jon Holdman
    Rental Property Investor · Mercer Island, WA · Member since 2008 · 22k+ posts · 14k+ votes
    14y

    Frank Germaine to post a picture, you need to upload it to a site such as photobucket. Then you can post the picture using the [ img ] and [ /img ] tags (without spaces). A photo site should have a way to generate the proper posting string for you. These tags are called BBCODE.

    Is this stuff something that's stuck to the blinds? Or, has some chemical reaction occured in the blind itself from something in the house? Have you looked at the furnace filters?

    Seems like if this was dust or something blowing out of the furnace it would be in more places than just the blinds. If you're not seeing this elsewhere, that makes me think this is some chemical that's circulating in the house and is reacting with the blinds. Do you know anything about the history of this house?

    1Reply
  • Frank Germaine
    OP
    Watertown, MA · Member since 2012 · 6 posts · 1 vote
    14y

    Thanks for the responses! It seems to be a reaction, since it is not something that just comes off with a paper towel. With some substantial rubbing with a wet paper towel, the towel comes up black, but there is still stuff on the blinds. Any ideas where I could bring something like this to get it tested, or should I get an air quality test done?

    We have radiators so there's no ducts, but the blinds are right above a radiator. The radiators are not on yet though. Other areas of the house don't seem to have the problem which makes me think it is something to do with a reaction within the blinds.

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  • Frank Germaine
    OP
    Watertown, MA · Member since 2012 · 6 posts · 1 vote
    14y

    I know nothing about the history of he house. I am a renter and moved in a little over a month ago.

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  • Jon Holdman
    Rental Property Investor · Mercer Island, WA · Member since 2008 · 22k+ posts · 14k+ votes
    14y

    Hmmm. Not sure what could be causing that reaction. Have you tried taking one of them back to where you bought them and ask them? There are companies that will test indoor air quality. And there are indoor air quality issues, sometimes.

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  • Account Closed
    Investor · Central Valley, CA · Member since 2012 · 6k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    14y

    Those vinyl blinds have a lot of static and are somewhat magnetic when it comes to dust, so it's tempting to think it's the air in the house. But those blinds are usually made cheaply and with who knows what as quality and chemical controls. I'd try to eliminate the blind as the problem. Can you buy one or use one that you haven't opened yet, and open it somewhere else and see what happens?

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  • Dale Osborn
    Mobile Home Investor · Spanaway, WA · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 578 votes
    14y

    Is there a lot of deep fat frying taking place in the home? checked for a gas leak? Tried using a humidifier in the home? Checked with the city to see if the homes were built on an old landfill? Checked to see if there is a local inspection company to take a look at it?

    If this is taking place in a short time period and you are living there seems like it won't be long until there will also be health issues. You need to get to the bottom of this as quickly as possible. As a health precaution - you might want to get a room air filter for each room or move it from room to room with you to clean up the air you need to breathe.

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  • Steve Babiak
    Real Estate Investor · Audubon, PA · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 8k+ votes
    14y

    Looks like he set his avatar photo to the picture of these blinds.

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  • Ann Bellamy
    Lender · Tyngsboro, MA · Member since 2009 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    14y

    In addition to taking one of the same blinds and opening it in another location (your workplace, for example) take another brand of blind and open it in your home.

    I'd take this seriously until you find out it's not serious. I've heard of some really serious health issues if your house was ever used in drug manufacturing. In the past, I mean. Not by you.

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  • Gavin Lamontagne
    Boston, MA · Member since 2012 · 4 posts · 1 vote
    14y

    I would look for a website or 800 information number of the manufacturer to ask them what their experience is with a problem like this. Probably not the first time this has happened. The manufacturer/distributor should have tracked down the cause to stop returns of their product. I would want to know the cause for health reasons more than anything else. Must be something fairly unique causing this or all blinds would be returned.

    1Reply
  • Jon Holdman
    Rental Property Investor · Mercer Island, WA · Member since 2008 · 22k+ posts · 14k+ votes
    14y

    Gavin Lamontagne has a good idea. Not sure if the manufacturer can help, but they might have some insight.

    Vinyl, and plastics in general, just aren't very reactive. That's why they're used so widely. This doesn't sound like dust collecting on the blinds. If it was dustly enough for a noticable amount to accumulate in a few hours, you'd notice it everywhere.

    Don't want to alarm you, but my thoughts are along the same lines as Ann Bellamy. Specifically meth manufacturing. This leaves behind some really nasty gases. They're often caught in trash bags that are then thrown away. They're called "death bags" because if you open the bags in your face the gases can kill you. If someone was cooking meth, they could have left behind traces that weren't fully remediated. The gases can leave behind rings a foot or so below the ceiling, sort of like a bathtub ring. This may turn out to be nothing. But these blinds just shouldn't be acting like this. Something is making that happen. And you're breathing that something.

    1Reply
  • Frank Germaine
    OP
    Watertown, MA · Member since 2012 · 6 posts · 1 vote
    14y

    Thank you everyone! I do live here and am concerned. I called the blind company and they had never heard of it. And this has happened to two different blinds from 2 different manufactures, so I know it is not the specific company. I don't even know who to call to get it tested. Any ideas? Just a general air quality test, or something more specific. Every place I called said they would need to know exactly what they are testing for, and I don't even know where to start.

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  • Ann Bellamy
    Lender · Tyngsboro, MA · Member since 2009 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    14y

    Jon Holdman, that was exactly my thinking. I hope we're over-reacting.

    Frank Germaine, you might try a mold remediation company and also call a regular building inspector. I put this out to my network and here is the first reply I've gotten:

    "Ann I ran into this with blinds I bought from Loews. They were made in China..It was sometype of a waxy substance"

    So that would imply that there is a manufacturing issue, not a meth lab. I'll keep at it and report back.

    Frank, you're in my area so I'll try to get a recommendation from one of my contacts as to a good reliable company - I know lots of rehabbers. Please connect with me as a colleague. Also, Frank, do you own this house, or just rent it?

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  • Account Closed
    Investor · Central Valley, CA · Member since 2012 · 6k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    14y

    If you wipe the window sills or doors or the window glass (glossier surfaces) with a damp sponge, do you also get a black residue?

    You say you have radiators, but are you sure there's no coal or oil furnaces in the basement? Backfiring from a previous furnace "episode" could be the culprit. Are there fireplaces? With or without flues?

    It's not your job to test anything. The landlord needs to be notified asap if there is something airborne that's reacting with surfaces or causing a residue in the house. The meth thing is real, btw.

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  • Account Closed
    Investor · Central Valley, CA · Member since 2012 · 6k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    14y
    Originally posted by Ann Bellamy:
    I put this out to my network and here is the first reply I've gotten:

    "Ann I ran into this with blinds I bought from Loews. They were made in China..It was sometype of a waxy substance"

    Wow. So at least one person has seen this before? I was trying to be PC when posting above about lack of controls and refrained from naming the country of manufacture.

    Frank Germaine Can you remove the spotting and residue with a cleaner like Windex or even pure ammonia? If you can clean the blinds and put them back up and you don't get the spotting, you'll sleep really well tonight. I'm still thinking and hoping it's the blinds!

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  • Jon Holdman
    Rental Property Investor · Mercer Island, WA · Member since 2008 · 22k+ posts · 14k+ votes
    14y

    A google search turned up a number of test kits and services for meth residue testing. How accurate or reliable these are, I don't know. I'd start by testing for meth, since that is often made and used in houses. And has some very nasty by-products. I have gone into REO houses and saw some of the results. My agent and I looked at each other and beat a quick retreat. But I also know it can be remediated.

    Have you noticed any health issues since moving in?

    Seems like it almost has to be chemical. Mold or something organic would grow that fast and dust should come off easily unless the blinds are actually sticky.

    1Reply
  • Frank Germaine
    OP
    Watertown, MA · Member since 2012 · 6 posts · 1 vote
    14y

    Again, thank you everyone! So I just noticed that the same thing is happening to my trash bags, also white and plastic. Literally the same exact splotchy grey substance BOTH on white trash bags in a cabinet, and in the trash bin. So its not just in the windows, but even happening in cabinets in the kitchen on the other side of my house.

    I am a renter, and will absolutely call my landlord first thing in the morning, but in the mean time thank you to everyone for all the ideas! I will keep you posted.

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  • Frank Germaine
    OP
    Watertown, MA · Member since 2012 · 6 posts · 1 vote
    14y

    Also no, I have not had any noticeable health issues and have lived here since September 1. My girlfriend and cat also have not that I am aware of. The only thing I can say is the cat has been dry heaving a little more than normal recently, although it could just be hair balls. Sorry for the details, but I figured I'd get all the details out.

    1Reply
  • Brittany Courtney
    Frankfort, KY · Member since 2014 · 1 post · 0 votes
    12y

    @Frank Germaine

    Did you ever find out what was causing this? I am having the same issues.

    0Reply
  • Nick Slocum
    Chicago, IL · Member since 2017 · 1 post · 0 votes
    9y

    hello,

    I am having this same problem - did anyone ever figure out what was happening? This is the only place I have seen this problem discussed.

    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    Member since 2018 · 1 post · 0 votes
    8y

    I know it’s been awhile but are there any coal power plants within 50 mile radius? My apartment in Kenosha, Wi has two within a 30 mile radius and it depends on the wind direction.  My last place was less than a mile from the coal plant and only required bi-annual cleaning. 

    Now that I’m closer to the Oak Creek, Wi coal plant, the winds coming out of the north bring twice the soot.  Those soot magnet blinds can also be life savers though, hang em in the shower and start hand rubbing that soot off. Do it monthly for best results!  Also, wipe the outside screens with wet paper towel and use lots of Windex. 

    I guess the best tip would be invest in a quality air purifier, one with a re-usable filter and replaceable charcoal pre-filter. I prefer ones that can be wiped with towel or rag. 

    Sorry for the wordiness, hope this helps someone! 

    0Reply
  • Jolita Sakmanaite
    Member since 2018 · 1 post · 0 votes
    7y

    Same issue here we got mini blinds form Lowe’s 

    0Reply
  • Mike Williams
    Member since 2019 · 1 post · 0 votes
    7y

    Same issue here, just bought these Monday 1/21 and the next day this splotchy type substance is on the blinds. Honestly, it looks like a reaction from a gas or some substance. I have been remodeling and using paint, acetone and paint stripper, but I do not think that is the reason being as I have done this before and nothing happened. If anyone has some insight please let me know. Pic attached (these were WHITE).

    0Reply
  • Shawnessy OConnell
    Member since 2019 · 1 post · 0 votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Mike Williams:

    Same issue here, just bought these Monday 1/21 and the next day this splotchy type substance is on the blinds. Honestly, it looks like a reaction from a gas or some substance. I have been remodeling and using paint, acetone and paint stripper, but I do not think that is the reason being as I have done this before and nothing happened. If anyone has some insight please let me know. Pic attached (these were WHITE).

    Hi! I just purchased these exact blinds from Lowe’s, 8 of them and they are all doing the same thing. Did anyone gather any information on why this is happening?? TY!

    0Reply
  • David Hogan
    Member since 2019 · 2 posts · 1 vote
    7y

    @mike williams

    has anyone figured this problem out?? I'm freaking out and experiencing this issue

    1Reply
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