That looks crystalline, perhaps a salt left as the wet area dried. Of the 12 homes tested, one has proved positive for asbestos. I have 4 Ikea rugs that do the exact same thing. For the longest time, I thought these were just shadows from the ceiling fan, but, now they look like they are full blown stains. Or see CARPET STAIN DIAGNOSIS FAQs - questions & answers about stained carpets & rugs, posted originally at this page. What activities on, over, near the carpet had taken place prior to that? Really? Try the search box just below, or if you prefer, post a question or comment in the Comments box below and we will respond promptly. Moved into a rental home & not feet well light headaches/nausea. 861. It does not look like a defective product. Ill take it. found that most studies of carpet soiling are based on apparent or visual methods of Our second rebond padding photo (below right) shows us exposing the subfloor below the padding in an area where the homeowner had already made carpet and padding cuts to inspect for water leakage. I put a sm fan on a small table approx 5 ft from me head one nite cuz hot. Removal of stains from clothing and other textiles. (Perhaps a clandestine visitor?) When laying carpet over a floor constructed using lightweight timber and joists, typical standard underlay only reduces impact noise and offers little effect in reducing the transmission of airborne noise. Oh yeah my 10 Lb chihuahua became mentally impaired/physical pain the night I used the small fan. Dan, Im grateful. Stains can for sure appear over time, sometimes quite a while after the original spill or other cause. [Quick How-to] Remove glued carpet padding (underlayment) from concrete floor 15K views 1 year ago Mastic Removal on a Hardwood Floor | City Floor Supply City Floor Supply 361K views 8 years ago. Big patches of light colored stains are appearing randomly on my carpet. 3. The powder is not the same color as the dirt that comes into the apartment, so I think it's the latex backing disintegrating into powder. Under Carpet floors For a carpeted floor, the carpet underlay material (also called carpet pads) that would fit the best would be foam, rubber or felted fibers. particulates. Probably an old loose laid cushion back carpet in there. Mechanisms of staining and stain removal." 100 sq. Add to Cart. We have a high-end filtration and humidity control system and own our home (we are very neat and clean). To identify, remove, or prevent annoying stains on carpets and rugs we take an organized approach by listing five stain diagnostic procedures: Stains on carpets and rugs appear in every imaginable pattern, color, and shape, but many of these can point to a probable cause. building surfaces that are more likely to be a bit higher in moisture, such as cooler surfaces on walls, ceilings, or in closets or I'm a little worried about mold in and under the carpet. Unlike the backer on some resilient flooring products or sheet flooring, carpet padding would not normally contain asbestos. Looks like areas where the carpet was previously cleaned of spills or stains. I didnt notice the stain until the landlord pointed it out at checkout. The carpet padding photographs below show a bonded urethane foam product also referred to as "rebond" because it is made of chopped or shredded foam that has been re-bonded together to form a sheet. See also EFFLORESCENCE SALTS & WHITE DEPOSITS. Erin that looks to me like a spill or animal urine stain. Also take a look at a short paper we wrote on an analysis of suspect indoor dust. hardware outlets) and disposable overalls if you are intending to remove old carpet Kissa, Erik. You may want to get a solid latex rubber underpad which will keep the dirt from getting to the floor. They are definitely on top of the carpeting. Are there stains on the under-side of the carpet padding? Please bookmark this page to make it easy for you to check back for our response. Anyhow the whiffs I got were in living room & more in the air towards ceiling & vents are in the ceiling on first floor. Air Handler? Its been lil over two weeks & Im still like this. pile weight while synthetic carpet retains more soil with increasing pile weight loop carpet cabinets where temperatures are lower and moisture may condense at a slightly higher level. Watch out: black or sooty stains in buildings that have malfunctioning gas fueled heating appliances may indicate that the gas appliance is producing dangerous, even fatal carbon monoxide gas. There is no moisture or leak nearby. this question of the probable source of indoor soot, dust, or debris stains. There is no mold or mildew looking (?) I clean it and it just comes back, there is a ceiling fan and a tenant that lives below me. by Inspectapedia Com Moderator. The result is a dark stain at the edges of carpeting along the building walls. I'll try to go to the dealer, if he is still there, and ask him about the situation but I doubt that he would tell me anything. luscombe 8a checklist; heidi baker 2020 prophecy; cedar creek fayetteville nc hotels; Hello world! Five decades of building inspection and forensic investigation tell us that quite often a building condition, including a stain, has been present for much longer than occupants realize. Hello Ive noticed this random patch which has gradually gotten bigger and darker in colour over the months, . - efforts to clean up a prior spill or stain (these usually have somewhat indistinct edges For the most part, you will know it is a hopeless cause and the carpet underlay needs to be replaced. HIGH QUALITY MATERIAL: Made of high quality PVC material, No out gassing or VOCs. As well as adding extra comfort underfoot, it helps to insulate the room, reduces noise from stompy feet, acts as a shock absorber, and improves the lifespan of the flooring. It was mostly just in the backings and not in the fabric itself? @Tracey, It's normal dirt, filtered through your rug. Sometimes we can identify particular sources of air movement, directions of air movement, which we can correlate with the Ripped up underlay and carpet which was easily 50 years old for a home renovation. On 2021-06-11 by inspectapedia.com.moderator - waxy carpet stain reoccurrence. by (mod) The stuff is powdery and uniformly white or light in color, if that helps. Was there a cooking event, a party, or an oil-burner puffback explosion? I did not hear further from Gale, but in general, when I see sharply-delineated areas on a carpet that are lighter than the surrounding space I think that the most common causes are Are there stains on the under-side of the carpet in the same locations as the carpet surface stains? Pest prevention and monitoring should be considered a priority when managing important exhibits and artefacts. In my experience it's the dirt filtering through the rug. See details at CARPET AIR LEAK STAINS at WALLS. To fix the issue, remove the carpet underlay, sweep away the dust, and replace the padding. I see- a very worn carpet About three years ago I bought a beautiful blue-white Peking rug from a dealer in Manhattan for my bedroom. Were not likely to make a fuss about this, but we are perplexed. alas! This carpet stain photo shows dark, uniform stains appearing along the edge of a carpet at the building exterior walls. This article includes excerpts or adaptations from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction (found at page bottom, Click to Show or Hide), by Steven Bliss, courtesy of Wiley & Sons. Sometimes it's a repair, sometimes just a different, perhaps small batch of yarn used in certain rug areas at the time of original weaving. with hair felt underlay (pre 1970). Carpet shampooer or steam cleaner. The underlay you receive may be a different colour to the ones shown. Cleaning the floor with a damp rag will turn black. keep us posted. I would just scrape and sweep and not worry about it. Our photos below illustrate a durable carpet cushion that combines a dense synethetic fabric with a urethane foam cushion. The chemistry of interaction of carpet materials and its padding with various materials that may be spilled, put deliberately, or tracked onto a carpet is complex; spilled milk may behave differently on a wool carpet than on a nylon or other synthetic fibre. carpet underlay turned to dust. DIY Upcycled Rug Ottoman. This info does not constitute financial advice, always do your own research on top to ensure it's right for your specific circumstances and remember we focus on rates not service. Everyone denies spilling anything. On 2020-08-25 by shannonellis658@yahoo.com, Is this a water stain caused by leaking ceiling. The fact is that the soil you can't see does the most damage. We have gas logs in our great room. To fix the issue, remove the carpet underlay, sweep away the dust, and replace the padding. No need to pay anyone for inspecting these photos nor the rug. Ive had vents checked & ive searched everywhere & all I found was living room up high by ceiling ive had few whiffs, my bedroom above plus I got very sick when I placed fan next to me & then located these stains w/no smell. About your health complaints, find a doctor whom you trust and listen to her advice. Is it a paper like product? There could have been a spill, splash, pet pee, leaks, or something else. PamI cannot make a reliable guess from just the information in your message. Could this be asbestos? Questions & answers or comments about carpet padding & asbestos, mold, or smell problems, causes, solutions. To do this, you will want to begin wiping the floor. I appreciate any help. Usually it is not necessary to test stains such as the one in our photograph to understand the cause and cure of the trouble. Found black foam material under carpet I'm replacing, Removing old carpet from steps, glue removal, Help - Questions about chemicals in vinyl install - foul odor and health problems - Global Gem Flooring. Saint Johns, FL. Or use the SEARCH BOX found below to Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia. What about pet urine or poop stains on carpets or rugs? We just bought a house, and so we moved out. The blue is true navy and not too much white to show dust.. Julie. Not sure what we're observing - that dark area (or is that a shadow) or the light areas in the dark area? Your rug shouldn't crawl. On 2019-10-24 0 by After using a humidifier for a couple months I noticed stains on carpet underneath nightstand where humidifier is. Many people suffer from a dust mite allergy, which is a reaction to the proteins found in dust mite droppings - and with each mite producing up to 20 droppings a day, it can soon turn into a big problem. "Carpet cleaning and maintenance." Now, its time to look at the surface under the carpet underlay. literature by Brown et al. Good ideahas the carpet ever been wet, maybe from cleaning? Turn Over The Remaining Carpet Underlay. You are going to have to deal with this as a carpet owner. Company changed it , it happened again so I paid extra for a better underlay but its still doing the same . the home in which the affected underlay was situated indicates that the asbestos Pollen. So it seems the whole rug had been sun-bleached(?). Mix a solution of one tsp. This does not look like a simple carpet stain nor an individual spill. They seem to be popping up in round patches everywhere, but only in this one room. You can most likely confirm my opinion by showing your photos to an experienced rug expert in your area. I think it is turkish. The landlord has now informed us it is a stain and sent these photos. Carpeting that has been wet usually is removed along with its padding and disposed of, though we have found a few cases in which carpet that was reported to have been wet was dry, un-stained, and clean at the time of our inspection. Stopping this dirt from sanding the finish off your hardwood floors is the reason they make backed rugs in the first place. We have been removing old carpet that had 2 kinds of padding underneath. To be safe I am having a mold inspector come out and look at it tomorrow. I have an Ikea rug that does the same thing. CARPET STAIN DIAGNOSIS at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice. Note: The John Wanamaker Store in King of Prussia, PA. has been cited by some asbestos-exposure and mesothelioma websites as a source of asbestos exposure to workers. Always remember anyone can post on the MSE forums, so it can be very different from our opinion. It can be made from different materials, primarily recycled foam. - that the carpet was brand new when you moved-in Three in a row in the middle of my hall on the carpet. Excellent What's the source of that handful of debris in your other photo? Air leaks and thermal tracking (illustrated below) also can produce very regular and well-defined stain-lines along carpets; in this case the location of the lines along walls is an important clue. 7 May 2021 #1 Not long before we have a carpet fitted (with underlay) in our front bedroom once plastering and decorating completed - normal floorboards with a small void (where you can see some dust, debris and wiring) between this room and the lounge underneath. "Coffee stain on textiles. This carpet is less than a year old, was professionally installed by Luna along with new mats under the carpet, and was their top line for not staining. Quickview. Boschetti, Margaret. Above: light-bleached carpet stains, probably traced to the vertical blinds and sun exposure, discussed further. What was the liquid that leaked? Carpets in a building are sometimes stained right along the building wall, particularly but not only at the exterior walls. While she did not specifically answer regarding the Kilz/sealant, she insists that they did not install the new carpet and pad over a dirty subfloor. However these stains in pic seem darker than Ive seen ect. resemble foam? Our Comment Box is provided by Countable Web Productions countable.ca, Click to Show or Hide Citations & References, CARPET STAIN DIAGNOSIS & CLEANING REFERENCES, An Investigation of INDOOR HOUSE DUST DEBRIS, THE EFFECTS OF COMMON HOUSEHOLD CLEANING AGENTS AND AGING ON THE REMOVAL OF QUANTITATIVELY APPLIED FOOD STAINS FROM RAYON, NYLON, AND OLEFIN PILE UPHOLSTERY FABRICS, RETENTION AND REMOVAL OF HOUSE DUST CONTAMINANTS FROM CARPET, SPRAYING COLLOIDAL NANO TIO2 AND CROSS-LINKABLE POLYSILOXANE ONTO ACRYLIC CARPET FOR SELF-CLEANING, RUG AND CARPET FIBERS: SELECTION AND CARE, ASSESSMENT OF ACCELERATED HYDROGEN PEROXIDE FOR SANITIZING CARPET, CARPET OZONE MOLD / ODOR TREATMENT WARNINGS, FIRST AID for PET-PEED-ON CARPETS & FLOORS, ARTICLE INDEX to ANIMAL PESTS, ALLERGENS, HAZARDS, HOME INSPECTION EDUCATION COURSES (Canada), HOME INSPECTION EDUCATION: HOME STUDY COURSES. Older, more-worn carpets may accept and retain dirt more-easily. Thank you. I found a stain under the table the lil fan sat on. They are not in any cracks or nr the walls..just in the middle ed. "EC82-2057 Carpet Care: Cleaning and Stain Removal." Building occupants, pets, and activities: spills, type of carpet cleaning equipment, Activities such as cooking, use of fireplaces, other soot sources such as improperly- or unsafe-operating gas fired appliances, Work or jobsite contaminants or sources of foot traffic that might track in substances that affect the carpet, Pets in or visiting the building, or invading animal pests, urine, feces, odors, physical damage. See what you can find; else I am concerned that a lab analysis may not tell you what's needed which is causation. carpet underlay turned to dust religious interview questions and answers sharleen spiteri ashley heath . Step 2. That's pretty wild. @LJ, @Laura, I only pulled back half the carpet. Watch out: in older homes in Australia, carpet padding may have been produced by recycled bags used by James Hardie corporation to transport asbestos fibers, creating an unexpected potential asbestos hazard in those homes. gas fired appliance, any other combustion sources, even a mal-adjusted pilot light on gas stoves or heaters can be a soot source as well as the Its thick though. Remember to factor this into your costs. That doesn't mean they didn't get their old carpet wet. ok, so it is not likely within the actual carpet fibres but in the backing? With dirt under a carpet pad or anything else, its important to take action. What kind of floor is under the carpet? Using a knife, ensure it is at the same level as the gripper rods by trimming out extra underlay. Take photos, No water clues were present in the "clean carpet" case. However, monitors are only beneficial if they are maintained and inspected on a regular basis, so it . - and urgently need your advice. I have a (new) Ikea wool rug and it does this, too. I went out back for fresh hair cuz my coughing/headaches started acting up more & at this time I realized my sweat all over me smelled just like the whiff but massive! Lang, Harold Locke. On 2021-10-18 by inspectapedia.com.moderator. Step 4: Using the staple gun, secure the underlay carpet to the floor. Western Australians concerned about possible asbestos in their carpet underlay should first identify the type of carpet padding used: for example if it is a foam product it was not made from recycled bags. If the property age or other conditions raise an asbestos concern, you should have a professional inspection and tests performed. That looks to me like stains occurring from activity on the carpet. Global Specialty Products. It's really gross, and I will never buy another Ikea rug. carpet underlay turned to dust. Excepting that odd occasional case, wet carpeting and carpet padding can become moldy in just 48 hours or so, depending on building temperatures and extent of water intrusion, . of contiguous mould) and if your doctor says that speciation of the dominant mold genera/species is useful for medical diagnosis and treatment might you need to identify the mold. 2019-01-31 13:50:59. Pet hair? Are there water stains on the slab? but they might be rather age-related.). For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Continue readingat CARPET STAIN ID TESTS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX. Im so confused and embarrassed. 1996 Ashrae Handbook Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning Systems and Equipment: Inch-Pound Edition (Hardcover), ISBN-10: 1883413346 or ISBN-13: 978-1883413347 , Principles of Heating, Ventilating, And Air Conditioning: A textbook with Design Data Based on 2005 AShrae Handbook - Fundamentals (Hardcover), Harry J., Jr. Sauer (Author), Ronald H. Howell, ISBN-10: 1931862923 or ISBN-13: 978-1931862929, 1993 ASHRAE Handbook Fundamentals (Hardcover), ISBN-10: 0910110964 or ISBN-13: 978-091011096, America's Favorite Homes, mail-order catalogues as a guide to popular early 20th-century houses, Robert Schweitzer, Michael W.R. Davis, 1990, Wayne State University Press ISBN 0814320066 (may be available from Wayne State University Press), American Plywood Association, APA, "Portland Manufacturing Company, No. Wear is clearly related to Yeah, we are really baffled especially since they appeared this last year when we havent even had company of any kind in the house. It started slow, thought they were just spills, but theres more now and I just know its not spills. What's under the floor: earth, crawl space, basement? in soil retention based on fiber type. I originally didn't think it could be repairs because some of the spot edges seemed more round than straight and seemed to run on from the blue parts of the rug somewhat into the light and darker "signs" (arabesques?) It is only going to get worse and will completely disintegrate in a few months to a year. supply registers on ceilings and walls. Source: flooring.sampoolman.com. On 2018-08-20 by (mod) - some carpet glues or mastic adhesives contained asbestos, Some mastic adhesives contained asbestos. The carpet has been down about 8-10 years and this has just started happening. Ihad carpet cleaned and the spray that protects from stain left dark places all over. It did appear to feel a little moist. Carpet padding types, properties, uses: this article explains carpet padding, cushions, and underlayment as well as antique carpet liners, and we address questions about carpet asbestos or mold hazards. We describe mold stains on carpeting and also other sources of carpet stains that may otherwise be hard to diagnose. You are using an out of date browser. Your carpet is likely home to lots of dust particles and debris, which you don't really want to breathe in. I slept the same next nite & coughing started again however it did not stop permanently the next day & I also started having some breathing issues. I did wear a mask but it was a this nurses mask. When there is dust under the carpet, it is a sign that things have to change. Step 1: Enquire about sampling the potential asbestos carpet underlay by a professional who would use control measures to minimise potential asbestos contamination. soiling and that loop pile retains less soil than cut pile. Excess water, food and dirt residue, and other spills can soak through your carpet and cause the pad underneath to deteriorate. The carpet and underlay should be carefully, removed to minimise release of dust and particulates. And I also wonder what might have made the repair yarn, if it is that, first look exactly like the main blue color and then suddenly lighter/grey Would you have an explanation for that? More right. However, we do know that the previous tenant had a dog which caused damage, and the landlord had installed new carpet and pad prior to renting to us. are used to recover soil. The stains are primarily concentrated near the heat ducts and below the window. Were the padding stains bigger or smaller in area than the stains seen on the carpet underside? When you discover carpet that is glued to flooring, get asbestos survey information from the building owner as required by WAC 2966207721 to identify asbestos. Blotchy carpet stains:When the furniture is moved the differences in carpet color or actual carpeting soiling and stains may be very obvious, especially where a couch skirt was in place. Of course, I would pay for the inspection if required.I have attached some photos. carpet underlay turned to dust. To smell these dark stains I dont smell nothing. We dont have pets. problem of dust and allergen retention and recovery. Usually lab testing is an unnecessary approach when removing or diagnosing stains or contaminants on carpeting but sometimes when visual inspection and considering building history (leaks, spills, pets, air leaks, puffback or other soot producing events) isn't enough and where significant expenses are involved in cleaning or replacing carpeting we might test tape or dust samples of the carpet stain area as well as other samples of settled building dust. 2. if the padding was removed as well, was the padding stained? Thanks to Alan Carson, Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, for technical critique and content suggestions regarding thermal tracking and its appearance on carpets as well as building walls and ceilings. The house was remodeled and carpet was installed in all the bedrooms in 2009. Does asbestos flooring or carpeting underlayment Vacuum any debris or loose dirt from the underlay. Hes just starting to eat a lil. soiling. They may never smell it cuz so far Im the only one. loose constructions are less prone to It came up gradually over the past year and is darkening. Further testing of underlay, carpet and dust from rooms in Those include liquids like (and NOT necessarily RECOMMENDED for carpet cleaning) dilutions of ammonia, bleach, lemon juice, laundry detergents, vinegar. Flat sponge rubber is used below commercial and berber carpets. I was concerned maybe the window was leaking but the soots seem to far from the source and like you said they dont match up and the subfloor isnt wet at all. The goal here is to wipe the surface and make sure its as clean as you can make it. Uncategorized. It can provide a better-looking end result. They are extremely damp. Zsednai, A. carpet usage, whereas age is a less direct surrogate for wear. The stain color, location, pattern, timing of occurrence and other factors can help figure out what's going on and how to stop it. If the adhesive is old and brittle enough to give off dust as it is worked, it should be removed by professionals. Does this image change your mind?Its just a couple streaks, not a dried puddle as it kind of looks like here. Only one image can be added per comment but you can post as many comments, and therefore images, as you like. Hi- I just purchased a house, and found that in the basement bedroom, some of the carpet padding is missing- any idea what might have caused this? The goal is to quickly clean the dust, wipe the surface, and then switch out the old carpet underlay. If moisture levels are a factor in the home, say moisture regularly above 55% RH, we would expect to see more-stained surfaces on those It now also seems to have lighter and darker streaks and sections. Quite possibly. Homeowners, outside companies? And the HVAC filter was absolutely black when we changed it shortly after moving in. ft. 4.5 ft. x 48 ft. x 1/8 in. Any idea whats going on? Feather, Betty L., and Patricia Klobe. The worn, darkened area on the carpet above shows significant wear from foot-traffic. With the apology that of course I can't know for certain the cause of stains based on such a limited bit of information, I have to say that the pattern of those marks really looks like let me see what their happened splashes were spills onto the carpeting. So I need it tested I can send a small piece please tell me what can be done, Kirsten Above: air leaks cause this regular line of dust and dirt deposition parallel to the home's walls, usually an exterior wall. It appears to just be part of the old padding or rubber backing stuck to the subfloor. That looks like a spill, Chris, starting with the large area and dribbling off to the left as if a bowl or plate or container of liquid were tipped while moving above the carpet. The shot stinks but your advice is spot on. Carpet makes people sick because of the dirt that becomes ground into the fibers. Woodard, Janice Emelie, and Katherine Leona Habel. Old carpet However, old wool and cotton carpets laid upside down did make a good job of killing off most weeds or keeping an area weed free. Were the stains on the underside of the carpet bigger or smaller or the same as the stains seen on the carpet upper surface? All posts copyright their original authors. I think it's the backing, and some have sort of, uh, exuviated this stuff for mere weeks, others for, as you say, months and months. Air moving upwards through the building (due to upwards air convection currents) may draw incoming air at the wall/floor gap or cracks, thereby depositing dust and debris at that location. and smelling stuff on the rug. Prepare yourself and the subfloor. Once again the living rooms below where I also had few whiffs of the smell Ive had throughout. You'll be shocked by the amount of dirt the comes out of the top of the rug once it's flipped. There is some small water damage from what looks like a window being left open at one point but the floor is not currently or wet or damp. - protective carpet spray left stains that won't come out with cleaning. Take care to use the least-aggressive cleaner as it's easy to leave a bleached area otherwise. I live in a rental. installed prior to the early 1970s may have incorporated material sourced from hessian bags that were used to transport raw asbestos from mine sites to processing plants. Thanks for all the help! 419-442. GuyZero is probably righter than me. The chances are that even if the underlay looks ok, it will turn to dust in a year or two if it is rubber. 4 /9. Some common sources of carpet stains include: What is the history of building leaks, fires, prior occupancies, occupants, pets, damage, repairs, renovations? There are a variety of insect monitoring tools and lures that can act as an early warning system for your properties and collections. at An Investigation of INDOOR HOUSE DUST DEBRIS where we determined that indoor dust levels In Advances in Carpet Manufacture, pp. I've seen this exact pattern on antique, repaired rugs of various origins, especially some Moroccans. . 1. Carpet padding, carpet cushions, and carpet underlayments, used to improve carpet durability, prevent carpet movement, and for other purposes, can also be a source of hidden mold or other building contaminants. How long after new installation did the damage appear? We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website. If someone saw fit to cover the hardwood with carpet, the hardwood was probably a bit tired even then. It's not against an exterior wall or bathroom. In one of the rooms, there is a lot of glue and also some type of white substance, kind of like an underlayment or fibrous filter material. Cloud 9 Super Contract Carpet Underlay - 10mm Thick ONLY 119.85 FREE DELIVERY 119.85 Free postage 2,581 sold Beige Heather Wool Twist Carpet 4m Wide Remnant Roll End Action Back 0.99 to 432.00 Free postage 2 watching Tredaire Colours Red Rubber Carpet Underlay - 11m2 Roll - Top Notch 199.79 (18.23/m) Free postage 736 sold @maggie_boswell, I sometimes see spots like that on carpet where there has been a previous spill and now a bit of mold is growing on organic material. What stains, clues, materials were visible on the floor or sub-floor over which the carpet padding and carpeting were laid? Looks like left over rubber from an old rubberback carpet. And that a new carpet (only a year or two old) still looks pretty clean. No mouse droppings around. Normally carpet padding is constructed of man made or natural fibers, rubber, or urethane foam products. If you walk with white socks, they turn black. This is true for any situation where it just started turning to dust or is half gone.