Troubleshooting Common Carpet Issues

Texture Surface Retention. Carpet in heavily traveled areas receives the most wear. 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 while vacuuming the primary carpet or rug. 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. 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.

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 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. Carpet should be given normal protection from direct sunlight. Emissions from heating systems or chemicals or cleaning agents 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 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 heating and cooling systems and vacuum cleaners can help. Filtration soils may require special cleaning treatment for effective removal.

Fluffing and Shedding. The balls of fluff, or loose fibers found on carpet 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 using a quality vacuum cleaner, most shedding gradually disappears within the first year after installation.

Matting. 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.

Soiling. Dirty, airborne particles may be deposited on carpet, causing dulling. Dulling is caused by the deposits of all types of soil. A delicate rose color, for example, may dull down to 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. Rather than pulling them out, these can be snipped off to the level of other tufts. If the problem persists in a localized area, the flooring contractor or manufacturer should be notified.

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.

Wrinkles, Ripples and 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 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 the carpet retailer. Generally, the problem can be corrected by a qualified carpet installer who reinstalls the carpet with a power stretcher.

Conclusion

In conclusion, carpet has a lot to offer in a school environment. Besides being a cost-effective way to add color and pattern, carpet offers advantages across a spectrum of safety and health concerns. And when properly cleaned and maintained, carpet is part of a winning aesthetic welcomed by students and teachers alike.

 

The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) is the source for science-based information and insight into how carpet and rugs can create a better environment ? for living, working, learning and healing. CRI's membership consists of manufacturers representing over 90% of all carpet produced in the United States, and suppliers of raw materials and services to the industry. For more information on CRI's Indoor Air Quality Green Label Program, Green Label Plus Program or the Seal of Approval (SOA), please contact the Carpet and Rug Institute. www.carpet-rug.org