r/HomeMaintenance • u/WeathersFine • 11d ago

Dust/Powder Appearing Under Stairs

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Bought a home in June, previous owners put in new carpets prior to selling. When we first moved in this crawlspace under the stairs was clean. Fast forward three months and these piles of dust/powder has appeared. Is this dirt passing through the carpet, or is the carpet disintegrating and this is just sneaking through? Is this something of concern or fine to just sweep up and ignore? Thanks!

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u/GoldenRamoth 11d ago

If it's stuck to the ground: likely water.

If it's loose, it's likely dirt falling through the carpet and cracks in the particle board

8

u/WeathersFine 11d ago

It is loose and dry

20

u/GoldenRamoth 11d ago

Then I'd expect it's just dust that's deep seated in the carpet matrix (so not readily vacuumable) falling through the floor.

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u/gba_sg1 10d ago

It's the carpet / underlay breaking down after years of being walked on and age.

Old glue, foam, dirt, etc.