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Common Carpet Problems
- Crushing Crushing is the loss of pile thickness because of foot traffic. Crushing is not considered a manufacturing defect
unless it is specifically covered in the manufacturer's warranty. Regular vacuuming may help reduce crushing that results from
traffic.
- Depressions or 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 constantly 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.
- Fading or Color Loss Give your carpet the normal protection from direct sunlight that you would give to any colored fabric.
Emissions from heating systems or chemicals, such as pesticides, household cleaning agents and other household items, can
also result in color loss.
- Filtration Soil Filtration soil may appear as dark or grayish lines on carpet along walls, stairways 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 systems, 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 and permanent staining can result.
- 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 thse 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.
- Matting 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 pad, pad failure, or improper maintenance. Matting is not
considered a manufacturing defect unless it is part of the manufacturer's warranty.
- Moth, Beetle, & 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 (or human!) to sustain them. Frequent vacuuming aids in the control of fleas on carpet;
just be sure to change or empty the vacuum bag/cup often.
- Soiling Maintain the appearance 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 Occasionally, a yarn tuft will 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 the installer or a 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 stainproof. It still requires care. Remove spots and spills promptly. If spills or soils are allowed to remain, they
may become permanent.
- 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.
- Wrinkles, Ripples & Buckles 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 a incorrect or failed pad, or excessive temperature and/or humidity. Ripples can be
caused by a combination of any of the above. If ripples or buckles develop, the problem can generally be corrected by reinstalling
with a power stretcher.
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