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Information from the CRI, Carpet and Rug Institute
Texture retention
Carpet in heavily
traveled areas receives the most use. For better appearance and longer
carpet life, try to reduce the amount of traffic on these areas or use
small rugs in front of heavily used chairs or furniture. Remove and
clean these rugs regularly. You should occasionally move furniture and
reverse area rugs. Although some change will eventually occur in the
texture of your carpet, reducing the wear on paths and in front of
furniture will slow this change.
Crushing (pile crushing)
Crushing is the
loss of pile thickness because of foot traffic. Crushing is not
considered a manufacturing defect unless it is specifically cited in the
manufacturer’s warranty. Regular vacuuming may help reduce crushing that
results from traffic. Manufacturers’ definitions of crushing may vary.
Dye
Crocking
There are two types
of crocking; wet and dry. Dry crocking will become evident when white
socks and clothing turn the color of the carpet. Dye crocking can also
be tracked onto vinyl floors. Wet dye crocking is typically found when
the carpet gets wet or is cleaned.
Indentations
The weight of heavy
pieces of furniture can cause indentations in carpet. Some depressions
may be permanent. Use furniture glides or cups under the legs of heavy
pieces, or move your furniture a few inches backward or sideways so that
the weight is not concentrated in one place. To remedy depressions, work
the carpet pile back into place with your fingertips or the edge of a
spoon, then, dampen the area and heat it with a hair dryer, working the
fibers with your fingers or a spoon. A small handful of crushed ice left
to melt on the surface pile has been known to help lift indentations.
Indentations will not lift by themselves.
Protect your carpet
from direct sunlight just as you would protect fine fabrics. Emissions
from chemicals such as pesticides, heating systems, household cleaning
agents and other household items, can also result in color loss.
Filtration soil may
appear as dark or grayish lines on carpet along walls, in the crevices
of stairways, through the gaps in plywood sub-floors and under doors. It
is caused by airflow over and through carpet, allowing fine soils to
settle on the surface. It is often caused by an improperly balanced
ventilation system, when the volume of air entering a room exceeds the
system’s capacity to remove air from the room. Excess air then seeks
exit sources in gaps along walls and stairways. Prevent the airflow
through carpet and carpet edges by sealing openings through the carpet
and under doors and baseboards. Keeping the air in the area clean and
using good filtration in your heating and cooling systems and vacuum
cleaners can help. Filtration soils may require special cleaning
treatment for effective removal. Contact a carpet-cleaning professional
for assistance.
Fluffing and shedding
The
balls of fluff, or loose fibers, found on carpet or in the vacuum
cleaner bag are the normal result of fiber left in the carpet from the
manufacturing process. Removing these loose fibers does not affect
carpet life or appearance. Because of their large size, these fibers are
too big to become airborne or to be breathed in. With proper vacuuming
and using a quality vacuum cleaner, most shedding gradually disappears
within the first year after installation. Fiber found in the vacuum
cleaner may look like a lot of fiber, but the fibers in the bag
have no orientation and are fluffed up, therefore, it really is not as
much fiber as it appears. The more thorough the vacuuming, the quicker
the loose fibers will be removed.
Manufacturers’
definitions of matting may vary. Matting is usually the result of the
untwisting of the yarn and the intermingling of the yarn tips through
foot traffic. Matting may be caused by various factors, including an
improperly specified cushion, cushion failure, or improper maintenance.
Matting is not considered a manufacturing defect unless it is
specifically cited in the manufacturer’s warranty.
Moth, beetle and flea control
Most wool and
wool-blend carpet made in the United States is permanently treated to
prevent moth damage. Carpet and rugs of manufactured (synthetic) fibers
are naturally resistant to insects, because such fibers are not a food
source and are resistant to beetles, commonly called carpet beetles.
However, beetles already in the home may lay eggs in the carpet pile and
hatch in 8 to 15 days. Pet owners also may find fleas on their
carpet. Fleas will not damage the carpet and will die there, unless they
find another animal to sustain them. Frequent vacuuming aids in the
control of fleas on carpet; just be sure to change the vacuum bag
often. For assistance in removing beetles or other insects, contact a
professional pest control specialist.
Odor
During and
immediately following the installation of your new carpet, there may be
a slight odor, which may result from the removal of your old carpet and
cushion or from the new carpet, cushion, adhesives or seaming tape.
Ventilation with fresh air is recommended. Ideally, windows and doors
should be opened, and the HVAC system should be operated at maximum
capacity for 48 to 72 hours.
Maintain the beauty
of your carpet by cleaning it regularly before it becomes excessively
soiled. Dirty, airborne particles may be deposited on carpet, causing
dulling. Dulling is caused by the deposits of all types of soil. For
example, a delicate rose color may gradually become a neutral taupe
because of soil, while light blue may take on a dull, gray-green hue.
Red clay soil also can cause a pronounced change in some colors. In
spite of such phenomena, the original color of a carpet is not lost; it
is still present under the soil. Oily soil may be very difficult to
remove after it has been on the carpet for a long time, and it may be
actually absorbed into the fiber, causing the carpet to have a yellow
cast. Frequent cleanings are important to avoid this problem. Entry
mats at doorways trap soil, and combined with routine cleaning and
vacuuming, provide extra protection for all floor coverings.
Sprouting
A yarn tuft will
occasionally rise above the pile surface of a carpet. Just snip
off these tufts to the level of the other tufts. DO NOT pull them out.
If this problem persists in a localized area, contact your flooring
contractor or manufacturer’s representative.
Stain-resistant carpet
Almost all carpet
manufactured today has finishes that make it more stain- and
soil-resistant, but no carpet is entirely stain proof. It still requires
care. Remove spots and spills promptly. If spills or soils are allowed
to remain, they may become permanent. Call the phone number normally
found on the carpet warranty to obtain specific information about
cleaning the carpet.
Topical treatments
Topical treatments
include soil retardants, stain repellents, antistatic treatments and
deodorizers. The use of after-market, topical treatments without the
express approval of the carpet manufacturer prior to application may
void applicable warranties.
Wear
Most carpet
manufacturers offer “wear” warranties of various time lengths. According
to these warranties, “wear” is defined as the loss of pile weight or
pile fiber (usually 10 percent) due to abrasive loss of fiber by weight.
What appears to be wear, or pile fiber loss, may actually be matting,
crushing or permanent fiber damage caused by soiling rather than loss of
fiber. There is seldom actual loss of pile fiber. (See also Matting,
Crushing.)
Wrinkles, ripples
and buckles in carpet are most often caused by a failure to stretch the
carpet correctly using a power stretcher, the use of an incorrect or
failed cushion, or excessive temperature and/or humidity. Ripples can be
caused by a combination of any of the above. If ripples or buckles
develop, consult your carpet retailer. Generally, the problem can be
corrected by a qualified carpet installer who reinstalls the carpet with
a power stretcher.
How to Hire a Certified Carpet Inspector:
How
to hire a Certified Carpet Inspector:
Visit
www.FloorReports.com and either search by state by clicking on the
link labeled “Search for Inspectors”, or place your telephone area
code into the search box on the front page. A page with a list of
Certified Carpet Professionals will be displayed containing names and
links to their personal web pages containing their Curriculum Vitae.
You will be able to easily compare their work history, education and
Certifications, allowing confidence in your chosen Inspector and Court
Expert Witness.
Members of FloorReports are Carpet Inspectors certified by one, or
more, of the Certification Bodies specializing in Training and Testing
experienced carpet professionals. The certification training and
testing is performed by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and
Restoration Certification Board (IICRC), Flooring Consultants &
Inspection Training Service (FCITS), the International Certification
Registry (ICR) or Inspector Training Service (ITS). All listed
certifications are verified by the site administrators.
End
users (consumers), Construction Defect Attorneys, Manufacturer Claims
Processing Departments and Building Contractors use members of
FloorReports to perform pre-installation site inspections, Concrete
Moisture and Alkalinity Testing, Installation Monitoring, Failure
Analysis, Inspections after installation, Maintenance Training and
Expert Witnesses.
QuestInspect is an Inspection Service used by Consumers not
comfortable with choosing their own inspector. The owners of
QuestInspect are Linda Lockwood and Audrey Darrah. Linda and Audrey
have worked with the Inspection Community, attended training and know
the Inspectors and their strengths and which inspector would best suit
your particular situation.
QuestInspect is also an inspection service used by Importers, American
Flooring Manufacturers, and Canadian Flooring Manufacturers to perform
Product Warranty Inspections. QuestInspect is the only Inspection
Service commissioning Certified Professionals only. QuestInspect is
also the only Inspection Service with a full time web programmer with
all reports proof read for accuracy by two certified inspectors.
QuestInspect also offers Attorneys the unique service of Flooring Case
Review by its own Board of Professionals.
