Dirt lines In Carpets

Seeing lines of dirt in your carpet which keep reappearing can be frustrating when theres no visible or obvious cause, and vacuuming can sometimes make it worse or have no affect. While there are methods to keep cleaning it effectively, or hiring a carpet cleaner to do it professionally, the best course of action is to prevent them entirely from the source.

What creates dirt lines in carpets?

The reason behind dirt lines in carpets in normally caused by gaps in floorboards, skirting or bad venting, and is called filtration soiling. The lines generally consist of dust that has travelled through the floorboards and the carpet acts as a filter effect which traps this dirt as it travels through, or unmaintaned vents that allow dirt from other areas (even wall cavities) to fall on the carpet. This is normally only an issue on older buildings as newer builds help reduce this with pressurisation tests for air leaks and helps decrease energy costs, better venting methods, or the use of concrete floors.

How to prevent dirt lines

The best option is the most simple one, where floorboards are the cause you can place a layer to stop the dirt from passing through to the carpet. We fit paperfelt lining (sometimes referred to as cedar paper) which is a thick card like material which does not allow air (and the dirt carried by it) to pass through, this is placed right up to the edges/walls between the carpet or underlay and the floorboards themselves.
With skirting a quick application of silicone or sealant can be used to block any major gaps, and with any vents that allow dirt to blow or drop onto your carpet the best thing to do is clean the duct itself and perhaps add a filter of its own.

For fitting of paper lining and other types of underlay please contact us, we will happily answer any questions you have and give you advice on the best steps to take