Under the Rug: An Overview

July 18, 2014- As a follow-up to our recent blog titled "Before You Renovate, Home In On Asbestos," we focus now on carpet padding, another source of environmental concern for those looking to update their homes.

In a recent roundup, "Carpet Padding Guide to Asbestos, Mold, Odor Problems, Solutions," the home inspection encyclopedists at Inspectapedia.com provide a thorough overview of what's could be the rug.

The post, filled with helpful photographs and links to more information, includes excerpts or adaptations from "Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction" by Steven Bliss, courtesy of Wiley & Sons.

Carpet padding, carpet cushions and carpet underlayments are typically used to improve carpet durability, prevent carpet movement and create comfort. Although asbestos is not normally found in residential carpet padding, this material can be a source of hidden mold and other building contaminants.

The Inspectapedia.com post lists several types of carpet padding materials:



Fiber Carpet Cushions or Pads:

- Natural fiber carpet cushions or pads may be made from jute, felt and horsehair.

- Synthetic fiber carpet cushions or pads may be made from acrylic fibers, nylon fibers, polyesters and propylene fibers.

- Carpet cushions and pads may also be created from recycled textile fibers, often with a mix of natural and synthetic materials.


Bonded Synthetic Fabric & Foam Carpet Padding combines a dense synthetic fabric with a urethane foam cushion.

Bonded Urethane Foam Carpet Padding, also referred to as "Rebond," are sheets formed from re-bonded chopped or shredded foam. It may also be reinforced with synthetic fibers.

Depending on the extent of water intrusion and building temperatures, wet carpeting and padding can become moldy within 48 hours. The mold may be visible on the carpet surface, or it may be in the padding or carpet cushion below.

The mold smell comes from mold-related volatile organic compounds. The Inspectapedia.com post has separate links to subjects covering carpet mold contamination and indoor air quality.

Read the full Inspectapedia.com post here.

Carnow Conibear and Associates is a demonstrated leader in the occupational and environmental health professions since 1975. To find out more, click here or call us at (800) 860-4486.