Filtration Soiling

6/7/2019 (Permalink)

Are you wondering why the carpet is appearing to turn gray or black along the edges of the room?

Have you noticed black lines forming along the walls, under doors, around air vents, or along the edge of the stairs? If so, it is likely that an issue called filtration soiling is occurring.

Filtration soiling occurs when the air is being forced into the room at a higher rate than it can escape through the ventilation system. When air pressure and currents encounter a restriction, the air will seek alternative escape routes. These routes typically include porous surfaces such as carpet, flooring, ceilings and walls.

When the air passes through a surface such as the carpet, the carpet acts as a filter to the air. Any pollutants in the air are trapped by the carpet and cause the carpet to turn gray or black in that area. The lighter the carpet, the more visible this will be. Common pollutants that contribute to filtration soil include: cigarette smoke, candle smoke, cooking oils, fireplace ash, dust, etc.

Discoloration of the carpet caused by filtration soiling can be very difficult to remove. If this type of soiling has occurred, it is best to let the professionals at SERVPRO of Licking County handle it. In some extreme cases, it may not be possible to fully remove all traces of the soiling.

One way to prevent filtration soiling is to regularly inspect the duct work in your property. As the air is forced through the ventilation system, it picks up whatever dirt is in the ducts, and carries it throughout the building. Also, be sure to change the filter on a regular basis, as recommended by the type of filter used. The filter traps a good portion of airborne pollutants, preventing them from traveling through the duct system and out into the building.

Benefits of servicing your HVAC unit include:

• Helps to restore peak energy efficiency.
• May help to eliminate offensive odors.
• Helps reduce the potential for mold growth.

If filtration soiling has impacted your property or you would like to have your duct work cleaned as a preventative measure, please call SERVPRO of Licking County at 740-587-0938. Let our professional team do the cleanup with the proper procedures to keep you, your home or company safe.