Question for the experts... - Cleaning Talk - Professional Cleaning and Restoration Forum

Sandleworld · 08-25-2010, 03:29 PM

Hello,
I have some simple questions and this site looks like im in the right spot for some answers. Long story short im trying to diagnose the stains shown below. I honestly dont know where they came from. I only drink water, NO coffee, Soda. It cant be from drips or spills because of the location of the spots, Ex. the areas i take my drinks too do not show any stains. They do seem to show up in higher traffic area's but not near the front or patio door which leads me to rule out dirt from outside. They are a charcoal color and wash out with a carpet cleaner but appear back within a couple months. The spots are very sporadic and look as if somebody took a hand of dirt and kinda flicked there fingers towards the carpet from about 7 feet in the air, Very simular to how you might flick your fingers after washing your hands, or to sprinkle water into somebody's face as a joke.

So please any information would be a great help!

Marie Dupont · 08-26-2010, 05:37 AM

Looks like some kind of fungi to me. Good luck.

Sandleworld · 08-26-2010, 09:43 AM

Thats what im thinking, however i dont recall any large spills, roof leaks or how the carpet would stay moist enough to grow fungi. I like in a humid climate (north Carolina) but AC stays on so that should pull the humidity out of the air atleast enough to prevent fungi right? I have read on one site that faulty carpet installation can cause fungi but once again does that require the carpet to be moist?

Marie Dupont · 08-27-2010, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandleworld

Thats what im thinking, however i dont recall any large spills, roof leaks or how the carpet would stay moist enough to grow fungi. I like in a humid climate (north Carolina) but AC stays on so that should pull the humidity out of the air atleast enough to prevent fungi right? I have read on one site that faulty carpet installation can cause fungi but once again does that require the carpet to be moist?

Carpets can absorb all kinds of moisture. You are never sure if it has dried enough after cleaning. May be there is some moisture underneath it.

SimonNewton · 09-16-2010, 10:14 AM

Definitely under the carpets is a World of low creatures and bacterias. Also they can absorb water and can moisturize.

Dan · 09-16-2010, 10:53 AM

I no clue what it might be, However be real careful with anything that turns black. Because if it is a fungus black is the bad one...

roadies · 09-17-2010, 05:09 AM

ya carpet can absorb moisture. even it absorbs moisture if someone go through it with wet foot. you never know from where it absorbs moisture.

---------------
Cleaning Company

Floor_Guy · 10-05-2010, 01:08 PM

Difficult to say for sure from just a photo, but based on its appearance and your description of it, I'd have to agree that it appears to be some sort of fungus resulting related to moisture intrusion. I'd recommend getting someone in there with the right moisture detection equipment to determine the extent and source of the moisture intrusion.