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 Mobile ViewBUILDING INTERIORS ACOUSTICAL SEALANT CHOICES AGE of a BUILDING - how to determine AGE of PLUMBING MATERIALS & FIXTURES AGE of AIR CONDITIONERS & HEAT PUMPS AGE of HEATERS, BOILERS, FURNACES AGE of WATER HEATERS ACOUSTICAL SEALANT CHOICES AIR BYPASS LEAKS AIR CLEANER PURIFIER TYPES AIR FILTERS for HVAC SYSTEMS AIR LEAK DETECTION TOOLS AIR LEAK MINIMIZATION AIR LEAK SEALING PROCEDURE AIR SEALING STRATEGIES ANIMAL ALLERGENS ANIMAL ENTRY POINTS in buildings ANIMAL ODORS IN buildings APPLIANCE EFFICIENCY RATINGS ARCHITECTURE & BUILDING COMPONENT ID ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION ASBESTOS-FREE INSULATION MATERIALS ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION IN buildings ASBESTOS LIST of PRODUCTS ASBESTOS PHOTO GUIDE to Materials ASBESTOS REMOVAL, Wetting Guidelines ATTIC LEAKS, CONDENSATION & MOLD ATTIC VENTILATION BASEMENT CEILING VAPOR BARRIER BASEMENT HEAT LOSS BASEMENT LEAKS, INSPECT FOR BASEMENT WATERPROOFING BATH & KITCHEN DESIGN GUIDE BATHROOM VENTILATION BEST CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES GUIDE Best Interior Finish Practices BLOWER DOORS & AIR INFILTRATION BLOWER FAN CONTINUOUS OPERATION BLOWER FAN OPERATION & TESTING BOOKSTORE - INTERIORS BRICK LINED WALLS BRICK VENEER WALL INSULATION BRICK VENEER WALL Loose, Bulged BRICK WALL DRAINAGE WEEP HOLES BUCKLED FOUNDATIONS due to INSULATION? BUILDING NOISE DIAGNOSIS & CURE BUILDING SAFETY HAZARDS GUIDE BUILDING SETTLEMENT CABINETS & COUNTERTOPS CACTUS FUNGI / MOLD CAR MOLD CONTAMINATION CARPET DUST IDENTIFICATION CARPET MOLD CONTAMINATION CARPET PADDING ASBESTOS, MOLD, ODORS CARPET FUNGICIDAL SPRAY CARPET STAIN DIAGNOSIS CARPET & other STAIN TESTS CARPET TEST PROCEDURE CARPETING & INDOOR AIR QUALITY CARPETING, SELECTION & INSTALLATION CASEWORK, CABINETS, SHELVING INSTALLATION CATHEDRAL CEILING INSULATION CATHEDRAL CEILING VENTILATION CEILING FINISHES INTERIOR CEILINGS, DROP or SUSPENDED PANEL CEILINGS, PLASTER TYPES CEILINGS, PLASTER, LOOSE HAZARDS CEILING TILES - Asbestos-Containing CHIMNEY INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR CHINESE DRYWALL HAZARDS Financial aid: Chinese drywall losses/repairs COMBUSTION AIR for TIGHT buildings CONDENSATION or SWEATING PIPES, TANKS CONDENSATION on WINDOWS & SKYLIGHTS CORROSION in ELECTRICAL PANELS CORROSION & MOISTURE SOURCES in PANELS COOLING LOAD REDUCTION by ROOF VENTS CHIMNEY INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR CHINESE DRYWALL HAZARDS CRAWL SPACES CONDENSATION or SWEATING PIPES, TANKS CONDENSATION on WINDOWS & SKYLIGHTS DECK & PORCH CONSTRUCTION DEW POINT CALCULATION for WALLS DEW POINT TABLE - CONDENSATION POINT GUIDE DIRECTORY of MOLD / ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERTS DIRT FLOOR MOLD CONTAMINATION Disinfectants Disinfecting Buildings with Bleach DOORS, INTERIOR DRYER VENTING DRYWALL HAZARDS, CHINESE DRYWALL INSTALLATION Best Practices DRYWALL MOLD DRYWALL MOLD RESISTANT EARTHQUAKE DAMAGED FOUNDATIONS EFFLORESCENCE, Salts & White / Brown Deposits ELDERLY & VETERANS HOME SAFETY ELECTRICAL INSPECTION, DIAGNOSIS, REPAIR ENERGY SAVINGS in buildings ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS - INSPECT, TEST, REMEDY FIBERGLASS INSULATION FIBERGLASS HAZARDS FIBERGLASS INSULATION MOLD FLAT ROOF MOISTURE & CONDENSATION FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUP FLOOD DAMAGED FOUNDATIONS FLOOD VENTS & FLOOD PORTS FLOODS IN buildings-mold FLOOR DAMAGE DIAGNOSIS FORMALDEHYDE HAZARDS FOOTING & FOUNDATION DRAINS FOUNDATION CRACKS & DAMAGE GUIDE FOUNDATION WATERPROOFING FRENCH DRAINS FRAMING DAMAGE, INSPECTION, REPAIR FRAMING DETAILS for BETTER INSULATION FRAMING DETAILS for DOUBLE WALL HOUSES FRAMING DAMAGE, INSPECTION, REPAIR FRAMING DETAILS for BETTER INSULATION FRAMING DETAILS for DOUBLE WALL HOUSES FRAMING METAL STUD PERFORMANCE FREEZE-PROOF A BUILDING FROST HEAVES, FOUNDATION, SLAB FUNGICIDAL SPRAY & SEALANT USE GUIDE GAS EXPOSURE EFFECTS, TOXIC GAS DETECTION & MEASUREMENT GAS EXPOSURE LIMITS & STANDARDS GLARE, Sunlight/Lighting Control HEAT LOSS in buildings HEAT LOSS DETECTION TOOLS HEAT LOSS INDICATORS HEAT LOSS PREVENTION PRIORITIES HEAT LOSS R U & K VALUE CALCULATION HEAT TAPES & CABLES on Roofs for Ice Dams HEATING COST SAVINGS METHODS HOT ROOF DESIGNS: Un-Vented Roof Solutions HOUSEWRAP AIR & VAPOR BARRIERS HOUSE DOCTOR, how-to be HOUSE PARTS, DEFINITIONS HUMIDITY LEVEL TARGET ICE DAM PREVENTION INDOOR AIR QUALITY & HOUSE TIGHTNESS INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT GUIDE INDOOR HOUSE DUST & DEBRIS INSULATION CHOICES Insulation Air & Heat Leaks INSULATION FACT SHEET- DOE INSULATION for GREENHOUSE or SOLARIUM INSULATION IDENTIFICATION GUIDE INSULATION INSPECTION & IMPROVEMENT INSULATION LOCATION - WHERE TO PUT IT INSULATION LOCATION for BRICK VENEER WALLS INSULATION LOCATION for CAPES, CRAWLSPACES INSULATION LOCATION for CATHEDRAL CEILINGS INSULATION LOCATION for GREENHOUSE or SOLARIUM INSULATION MOLD INSULATION R-Values & Properties KIT HOMES, Aladdin, Sears, Wards, Others KITCHEN & BATH DESIGN GUIDE KITCHEN VENTILATION LIGHTING, EXTERIOR GUIDE LIGHTING, INTERIOR GUIDE LOG HOME GUIDE METAL LATH, PLASTER & STUCCO MOBILE HOME INSPECTIONS MOISTURE CONTROL in BUILDINGS MOLD: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO MOLD MOLD ACTION GUIDE - WHAT TO DO ABOUT MOLD MOLD APPEARANCE - WHAT MOLD LOOKS LIKE MOLD CLEANERS - WHAT TO USE MOLD CLEANUP GUIDE- HOW TO GET RID OF MOLD MOLD CONSULTANTS/INSPECTORS MOLD CULTURE TEST KIT VALIDITY MOLD DETECTION & INSPECTION GUIDE MOLD or INDOOR AIR EMERGENCY RESPONSE MOLD EXPERT, WHEN TO HIRE MOLD FAQ's MOLD ODORS, MUSTY SMELLS MOLD PREVENTION GUIDE MOLD RELATED ILLNESS GUIDE MOLD SAFETY WARNINGS MOLD SPRAYS, SEALANTS, PAINTS MOLD STANDARDS MOLD TEST KITS for DIY MOLD TESTS MOLD TESTING METHOD VALIDITY MVOCs & MOLDY MUSTY ODORS Nanomaterials Hazards SOUND CONTROL in buildings STAIN & BIODETERIORATION AGENT CATALOG STAINS on buildings - QUICK GUIDE STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING EXTERIORS STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING INTERIORS STAINS on/near CHIMNEYS STAINS & FINISHES, INTERIOR STAINS on INDOOR SURFACES: PHOTO GUIDE STAIRS, RAILINGS, LANDINGS, RAMPS STONE CLEANING METHODS STONE VENEER WALLS STUCCO WAll FAILURES DUE TO WEATHER STUCCO WALL METHODS & INSTALLATION STUCCO OVER FOAM INSULATION STUCCO PAINT FAILURES SUMP PUMPS GUIDE SWEATING (CONDENSATION) on PIPES, TANKS THERMAL EXPANSION of MATERIALS THERMAL MASS in buildings THERMAL MASS FLOOR SLABS THERMAL MASS in UPSTAIRS THERMAL MASS WALL DESIGN THERMAL MASS in HOMES - STUDY THERMAL MASS TRADEOFFS, HEATING vs COOLING THERMAL TRACKING & THERMAL BRIDGING What is Thermal Tracking Ceiling Thermal Tracking Marks Wall Thermal Tracking Stains Floor Carpet Thermal Tracking Stains Air Bypass Leaks Marks on Insulation Thermal Tracking to Diagnose IAQ Stains HVAC Supply Registers Pet Stains on Floors Pet Stains on Walls Human Occupant Stains on Walls Stains from Candles, Woodstoves, Fireplaces Other Stains on Indoor Walls & Ceilings What to Do About Thermal Tracking TRIM, INTERIOR INSTALLATION TRUSS UPLIFT, ROOF TRUSSES, Floor & Roof VAPOR BARRIERS & CONDENSATION in BUILDINGS VENTILATION in buildings VINYL Siding or PLASTIC Window ODORS in buildings VINYL CHLORIDE HEALTH INFO WALL FINISHES INTERIOR WATER ENTRY in buildings WIND WASHING INSULATION At EAVES WINDOWS & DOORS WINTERIZE A BUILDING WOOD Burning Heaters Fireplaces Stoves WOOD FLOOR DAMAGE More Information |
This article explains carpet padding, cusions, and underlayment as well as antique carpet liners, and we address questions about carpet asbestos or mold hazards. This article includes excerpts or adaptations from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss, courtesy of Wiley & Sons. For a discussion of carpet padding odors and possible IAQ concerns, Carpeting VOCs, styrene, 4-PC & Formaldehyde and VOCs from Carpet Padding & Carpet Adhesives see CARPETING & INDOOR AIR QUALITY. Also see CARPET DUST IDENTIFICATION and CARPET TEST GUIDE and CARPETING & INDOOR AIR QUALITY and and CARPETING, SELECTION & INSTALLATION; also see ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS - INSPECT, TEST, REMEDY for our full list of environmental hazard identification and remedy related to buildings. © Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, Daniel Friedman, Steve Bliss, Wiley & Sons, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website. Asbestos or Mold Hazards in Rug or Carpet Padding?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. Some readers have also asked if carpet padding is likely to be an asbestos hazard in buildings, as we discuss and illustrate here. Question: Does asbestos flooring or carpeting underlayment resemble foam?Does asbestos flooring or carpeting underlayment resemble foam? Is it a paper like product? - D.G. Reply: No. normally residential carpet padding does not contain asbestos. We have not found any reports of foam carpet padding specifically made of asbestos nor paper.
Sorting Out Reports of Asbestos-Contaminated Carpet Padding in Western AustraliaAn exception of asbestos-contaminated carpet padding has been reported in Australia[3], creating a public stir, but a subsequent investigation by Jim Dodd, Director of Environmental Health, reported that the possibility of asbestos fibres being in carpet underlay was very low. People most at risk were those working in the bag recycling industry[4] when hessian (burlap or jute) bags used to transport asbestos material were recycled. 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. Quoting from "Asbestos in Carpet Underlay", from the Western Australia DOH,
The DOH offered this good advice for removing old carpeting and carpet padding or underlay:
Owners concerned about possible asbestos in their fiber-based carpet underlay should contact an accredited asbestos testing laboratory. List of Carpet Padding MaterialsNormally carpet padding is constructed of man made or natural fibers, rubber, or urethane foam products. Unlike the backer on some resilient flooring products or sheet flooring, carpet padding would not normally contain asbestos. Carpet padding materials are typically felt carpet padding (photos above), foam carpet padding (photos below), or synethetic fabric bonded to a foam underlayment. Fiber carpet cushions or pads (above) may be made from natural fibers (such as jute, felt, or even horsehair), synethetic fibers (acrylic fibers, nylon fibers, polyesters, propylene fibers), or recycled textile fibers that may be a mix of natural and synthetic materials. Bonded Synethetic Fabric & Foam Carpet PaddingOur photos below illustrate a durable carpet cushion that combines a dense synethetic fabric with a urethane foam cushion. While this material is sold for use under wall-to-wall carpeting, we also use this padding cut to size for placement under area rugs where we want a firm walking surface and an anti-slip property to prevent the rug from moving.
Bonded Urethane Foam "Rebond" Carpet PaddingThe 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 repbonded together to form a sheet. At below left you can also see the bonded coated backing of the carpeting itself - the white-coated carpet bottom at the right side of the photo. 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.
Wanamaker's Sanitary Carpet Lining - Antique & Historic Carpet Underlayment, Lining, PaddingIn older homes and some historic properties where very old carpeting remains, you may find paper-based Sanitary Carpet Lining that was sold by The Wanamaker Store (photographs below). We are uncertain of the composition of this material, but you are highly unlikely to encounter it except in an antique building. Wanamakers, a Philadelphia PA store, began 1880, selling carpets and carpet liners in 1880.[2]
Note: The John Wanamaker Store in King of Prussia, PA. has been cited by some asbetsos-exposure and mesothelioma websites as a source of asbestos exposure to workers. We have not [yet] located a description of how that exposure occurred or what products were involved. Exception: Case Report of Asbestos-Contaminated Carpet Padding in AustraliaWatch 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. Also in Australia, both driveways and garage floors of some homes built int he 1970's may have contained asbestos waste from James Hardie.[1] There were however many other that used asbestos paper such as HVAC duct wrap and asbestos backing on sheet flooring. Please keep in mind that no one can assure by email that your property has no asbestos present. If the property age or other conditions raise an asbestos concern, you should have a professional inspection and tests performed. See our articles on visual identification of asbestos products in buildings, beginning at ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION IN buildings Also see CARPET DUST IDENTIFICATION and see James Hardie Company, Asbestos, Fiber Cement Siding, & HIstory Information about the James Hardie company is at JamesHardie HardiPlank Siding. See STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING INTERIORS and STAINS on buildings - QUICK GUIDE and STAINS on INDOOR SURFACES: PHOTO GUIDE as well as STAINS & Thermal Tracking. See Black stains from animals for details about pet stains on building floors (urine) and walls (various) and see Pet Stains on Walls for diagnosing stains such as the black marks left by pets on walls. Readers should also see STAINS on Indoor Surfaces: PHOTO GUIDE and for outdoor stains, see STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING EXTERIORS Moldy or Smelly Carpeting & Carpet Padding OdorsCarpeting 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. We attribute this last odd case to occupant reporting errors. It's generally the case that a soaked carpet will also leave water marks on the subfloor below. No water clues were present in the "clean carpet" case. 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. If you trace a moldy odor or smell to the carpeting (see SMELL PATCH TEST to Track Down Odors) or its padding beneath, chances are that it is or was moldy.
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