Carpet Ghosting Adjacent to Wall
Macrophotograph
Definition/Function:
Significance in the Environment:
The black edge on carpet next to the wall tends to be due to two different effects. The
first is the
inability of carpet vacuum cleaners to get close to the wall or to effectively knock the
dust free from
the carpet fibers at that location. A wand attachment can help remove those particles
and the discoloration.
The second cause is due to the wall "breathing". As air pressure changes in the room due
to changes in
temperature or atmospheric air pressure, the air in the wall cavities has to
equilibrate. The base of
the wall is not sealed so that air can enter or escape as need to equilize the pressure
in the wall with
that in the room. Small particles, such as soot, are filtered out of the air and stick
to the carpet fiber.
This also happens with wall outlets and switch plates.
Characteristic Features:
Associated Particles:
References:
