Carpet Ozone Fading

Fading is usually caused either by ultraviolet light or by exposure to ozone gas.

Carpet ozone fading.

Since most carpet has very little blue the yellow and red components are usually left unaffected. Oxidation comes from ozone o3 which generally occurs in drier climates with a lot of motorized vehicles. But the loss of blue causes the carpet to turn a dull orange not yellow. Sometimes a carpet s fading has nothing to do with ultraviolet light.

Before purchasing a carpet it is important to check the kind of dye material that has been used for colouration. Dye stuff hue or fiber can affect fading. Sun fading is a form of oxidation and will happen near windows especially on the southwest exposure of a dwelling. Carpet can be tested in laboratory fadeometers for results against fading agents.

Ozone fading usually results in faded and lightened colour and many times a complete change of colour similar to fume fading. This basement level had no windows that would allow direct sunlight to the carpet. Left is a carpet mill inspection photo of a closet carpet scrap lying on a five year old basement carpet that shows severe fading. Steam cleaning should only be undertaken by a professional carpet cleaner.

The carpets were fading from a sand beige color to pink. This of course depends on the original carpet color too. Mixing strong reducers and oxidizers together on the carpet will create a lot of heat and poisonous gas. Nor were there any ozone or fume fade sources of the required damaging magnitude present.

These factors include ozone fading and natural gas fading. There are other factors that can break down carpet dye and give your carpet a whole new although unwanted appearance. A specific carpet being considered for a critical installation should be tested prior to final selection. This occurrence known as ozone damage is largely unexplained but appears to be more prevalent in coastal areas with a high ultra violet content.

Ozone prefers and attacks blue dyes first. There are other factors that can break down carpet dye and give your carpet a whole new although unwanted appearance. I recently inspected carpeting in two homes that exhibited the same problem. Colour change can also occur when carpet is exposed to ozone emissions from heating fuels and air conditioners pesticides cleaning agents benzoyl peroxide and other household items.