Carpet test procedures using adhesive tape or vacuum cassettes:

This article describes & how to collect mold, allergen, or other particle or mold test samples from carpets, furniture, drapes, or other soft surfaces to aid in the diagnosis of the cause of interior wall, ceiling, flooring or carpeting stains and explains how to recognize their probable cause and source, including soot stains, house dust stains, pet or animal stains, and thermal tracking or thermal bridging stains associated with building air leaks, and building insulation defects.

How to Collect Indoor Mold, Allergens, Dust, Debris, or Stain Particles from Carpets or Other Soft Surfaces for Microscopic Lab Analysis

Often carpet and other indoor stains are mistaken for toxic indoor mold - they may not be mold at all. When investigating a building for a mold problem, you can save mold test costs by learning how to

recognize MOLD APPEARANCE - STUFF THAT IS NOT MOLD or is only Harmless Mold but may be mistaken for more serious contamination - save your money.

Because some clients have on occasion sent samples to our mold test lab that really should not have been collected, much less looked-at, we provide this library of photographs of things that are "not mold" and don't need to be tested.

These are substances that you can easily learn to recognize in buildings.

Save your mold test money, and increase the accuracy of your mold contamination inspection or test for toxic or allergenic mold in buildings:

review these items to learn recognize non-fungal materials or even possibly harmless cosmetic "black mold" often mistaken for "toxic fungal growth."

Those details are at BLACK MOLD, HARMLESS

How to Collect Tape Samples of Stains, Dust, or Debris on Hard Surfaces or Surfaces with Visible Mold

For particles or stains found on hard surfaces indoors such as walls, ceilings, or furniture, or where mold growth is visible on any surface including carpeting or furniture, often a simple adhesive tape sample will perform well.

Furthermore, this sampling procedure is itself diagnostic, since if the adhesive tape is unable to lift and collect any particles from the surface, that also tells us something about the type of staining present.

But remember that even an apparently "clear" tape sample (when viewed by the naked eye) may contain important diagnostic particles which will be quite evident when viewed as a properly prepared microscopic sample and at proper magnification and lighting in a forensic microscope.

Caution: Surface samples of mold growth on a soft material such as floor carpets or upholstered furniture may identify what is growing on the surface but it may fail to identify what is growing inside the same material if a different mold genera or species is present in that location.

See DUST / MOLD TEST KIT INSTRUCTIONS for a surface sampling procedure using adhesive tape. You can use this sampling method to collect surface particles for submission to any qualified forensic laboratory not to us.

Qualitative Analysis (what particle types dominate a sample) of Carpet Dust Samples

We use an air-sampling cassette connected to a vacuum pump to collect debris from carpets, upholstered furniture, or carpets. In the hands of an experienced investigator a useful non-quantitative analysis can be performed to collect particles which, examined in the lab, can tell us the dominant particles present in the debris.

The lab should also be asked to cite other particles, even occurring at low levels, if the particle type is particularly diagnostic of a potential indoor air quality problem.

An example is the presence of chains of Penicillium/Aspergillus mold spores since when found occurring in chains, these spores are suggestive of a nearby (potentially toxic or allergenic) mold contamination problem.

What is the Consistency of the Vacuum Method for Testing Carpets, Couches, Curtains, or Other Surfaces for Mold or Other Particles?

As you can see in the photograph of sampling cassettes above, we may use a template to define a four square inch area to be vacuumed. While it is a simple matter to define a consistent area size when using vacuum methods to test soft surfaces such as carpets or couches, it is very very difficult to actually sample these surfaces in a manner which is quantitatively consistent from sample to sample.

While some independent studies have attempted to explore this question by "seeding" a carpet surface with a known quantity of particles, we are very doubtful of the conclusions by some investigators if they assert that sampling consistency can be achieved.

Where sampling consistency cannot be achieved, the quantitative comparison of samples from different areas is a tricky business, and except for findings of the presence or absence of high levels or dominant-particle levels of certain particles in a carpet vacuum sample, our view is that more detailed findings should be viewed with caution.

Here are some sources of inconsistency in vacuum sampling of soft surfaces:

• Sample location Debris level:
  
  Variation in the amount of soil, debris, or particles in different locations on the surface to be sampled. Two successive vacuum samples of the very same spot are likely to produce different results since each sampling removes some particles. Two vacuum samples of nearby spots on a carpet may produce different results because of variations in the level of debris by area.
• Sampling Location Traffic or Cleaning Level:
  
  Vacuum sampling of a high traffic area of a carpet or vacuuming an area of carpeting which is easily reached during regular or special carpet cleaning processes may produce a very different result than a vacuum sample collected from an area exposed to (or not exposed) to settling particles, mold growth, variations in moisture level, or ease of access for ordinary cleaning
• Pile depth:
  
  Variations in pile depth of carpets or other fabric surfaces
• Moisture Levels:
  
  Variations in moisture exposure of different areas of carpeting which is suspected of mold contamination
• Particle collection efficiency:
  
  the percentage of particles captured by adhesive type sampling cassettes varies by particle size and velocity; if the sampler is not designed for collection of the particles of interest, or as is very common with vacuum samples of surfaces containing a high level of debris, if the adhesive surface becomes blocked by particles, subsequent material entering the sampler is lost, making any quantitative analysis questionable.
• Sample area size:
  
  Variations in sampling area size
• Vacuum strength:
  
  Variation in the vacuum strength of the sampling pump itself. Especially if a battery-operated pump is used, the pump strength may vary during use as battery level declines.
• Variations in carpet moisture level
  
  affect the vacuum's ability to pick up particles

High Efficiency Vacuum Sampling Methods for Carpets or Other Surfaces

Other vacuum methods which use a calibrated flow rate and a sampling filter can collect nearly 100% of the particles from a surface, permitting a quantitative analysis of the number of particles per square inch. In our OPINION this is often a rather questionable procedure.

Even studies which claim to report that the results of this sampling method are repeatable (a measure of sampling method reliability) we find that there is an enormous variation, probably several orders of magnitude, in the number and possibly even the type of particles collected in such samples depending on the investigator's choice of sampling location, sample duration, vacuum strength, and other factors.

The result may be an analysis which is impressive in its precision, say giving 1,243.275 particles of particle type X per square inch of surface, but completely inaccurate (because there maybe so much variability due to sampling procedure that sampling an area one foot away gives a particle level of 124,327.5 particles per square inch.).

See PHOTO GUIDE TO STAINS on INDOOR SURFACES for examples of some common types of indoor stains on HVAC registers, doors, carpets.

Usually soot marks, thermal bridging, or thermal tracking stains appear, if at all, in the building interior locations listed just below discussed in the remaining sections of this article.

See ANIMAL STAINS & MARKS in BUILDINGS for details about pet stains on building floors (urine) and walls (various) and see Pet Stains on Walls (discvussed in that article) for diagnosing stains such as the black marks left by pets on walls.

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Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

I vacuum my carpet but the contaminants still bother my skin

I have had an ongoing problem of something in my carpet.. I vaccum for long periods of time and it doesn't go away... it's now to the point that I am experiencing small lesions on my skin.. could you please point me in the right direction to remedy this problem. - On 2021-02-03 by Annie

Reply by danjoefriedman (mod) - start with advice from your doctor

Annie

Because of a small area of stain or even contamination in a carpet is not likely to explain a health problem I would prefer to start with your doctor herself to ask the doctor if it's possible or likely that there is an environmental cause of your complaint and if so might that be something in your home including carpeting.

Separate from that if there are stains in carpet or else where the building you might want to review the building leak history to address the question of the risk of a his old Reservoir.

Carpet removal left asbestos contamination in my apartment?

What I mean is that when I moved into my apartment the past tenants had wall to wall carpeting and padding down so when they moved the super removed the old carpet and padding and there was an smell

Also that the carpet left contamination from the padding an carpet that caused the asbestos contamination because the carpet wasn't taken out right ?

So what's the information on that an I have contamination air in my apartment now and it causes a serious smell an moisture an dirt builds faster so what's up - On 2020-01-07 by Ray

Reply by (mod) - no direct relationship between an asbestos hazard (asbestos is odorless) and an odor complaint

Ray

There will be no direct relationship between an asbestos hazard (asbestos is odorless) and an odor complaint, nor between asbestos and the rate at which moisture and dirt build-up in a home.

What's left on the floor when you remove a carpet?

I have a question if a wall to wall carpet is laid down for like 3-5 yrs and then like if it's lifted up taken to the garbage what's on the floor afterwards the mess is it contamination ? From the carpet and padding and the glue on the padding ? Is there any dust powder contamination?

What's the facts ..thank you....

I tell my story I moved into a apt that was safe I thought then I found out there was a carpet laid down and lifted and it left dust powder from the old carpet and padding and now everything I own smells and my body is contamination done and a strong smell from me . What's the help? Thank you On 2019-12-29 by Raymond

Reply by (mod) -

Ray

By just text I can't say for sure what you were seeing but it's entirely possible that you were seeing bits of deteriorated carpet foam padding

Moldy Carpet has been cleaned 3 times and still makes me sick

I moved into a rental property September 2018. The carpet was shampooed three times and has been vacuumed numerous times

It clearly needs replacing. Because of the very strong musty odor that is casing me to have breathing problems I can not sit in one room for a long period of time. I want the nasty waste that’s continuing
To come up from the carpet tested. - On 2018-12-31 by Ann

Reply by (mod) - Bottom line is if the carpet smells moldy it needs to be replaced along with carpet padding underneath

It's possible by using a vacuum cassette to test a carpet for mold although in the condition that you described the test could give a false negative result.

Bottom line is if the carpet smells moldy it needs to be replaced.

Shampooing or similar carpet cleaning will never completely remove mold from a contaminated carpet nor from the padding below

Are there any contaminants that would be coming through the floor along with the heat.?

My Apartment is over the boiler room in the basement.

Heat from the boilers come through the floor and my carpet. Are there any contaminants that would be coming through the floor along with the heat. My building was constructed in the very late 1970s. - On 2018-11-23 by Jan Sinkler

Reply by (mod) -

Jan

The transmission of heat through a floor, alone, is not evidence of the transmission of airborne contaminants in the form of particles or gases from below.

Naturally no one can assess the actual conditions in your building by e-text.

However I can pose a seres of IFs

IF the heating system below is not operating safely
AND

IF the heating system below is venting dangerous flue gases or even potentially fatal carbon monoxide into the basement rather than exhausting flue gases properly through a chimney or other approved vent system

AND
IF there are no working and properly installed and located and tested carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors, including in your apartment,

THEN

there could be unsafe conditions in your apartment as well as in the rest of the building.

How do I get rid of human wee and pee on my carpet

how can i get rid of human wee and pee on my carpet 2018-09-27 by tracey

Reply by (mod) -

Tracey

Please see URINE / ANIMAL ODORS IN BUILDINGS - home

Carpet cleaner spray made me and my pet sick

Hello,

The property management team had arranged for a complimetary professional carpet cleaning in my apartment 2 days ago.

. I noticed the carpet is now a tad bit slippery/silky-feeling. My feet burn and my dog keeps licking her paws. I asked the cleaners as they were vacuuming if the solution they spray is pet safe.

They assured me it was, but now not so sure at this time. I keep calling them to ask questions about the product they use, but no return calls have been made. Is there a way to test the carpet for toxic chemicals? - 2018-08-18 by Lisa

Reply by (mod) - incomplete testing means you cannot assert that "the building is clean"

Lisa

Yes but ... there are many possible chemicals and cleaners and contaminants; I'm doubtful that there is a single, low-cost test that would be comprehensive.

So the risk is you test for A-B-C and don't find any of them, falsely concluding that there is no hazard when something else - contaminant "D" is present.

I would insist that you be told the product name, then it's trivial to find the MSDS for it online.

Not addressed in your question is why the carpet was cleaned, what was already in the carpet, and whether or not ANY cleaning could have removed it.

Followup by Lisa

Thank you for your reply. I call a few times today, but goes straight to voicemail.

My carpet was cleaned because there was a small trail of dirt from my roommate's shoes in the living room when she moved in. It was suggested to clean the entire apartment since it would be the same cost regardless if it was spot cleaned or entire apartment.

Other that that small trail was my apartment carpets were very clean prior to the professional vacuuming.

...

Continue reading at CARPET STAIN ID TESTS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

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