Flattening Out and Looking Worn:
Our first problem was posed by a dealer who asked if the carpet cushion would have any affect on how a particular carpet would perform – in this case relative to appearance retention. The complaint was for the carpet flattening out and looking worn. The answer is the cushion will indeed affect the performance of the carpet. The Carpet and Rug Institute and the Carpet Cushion Council, in CRI-105 recommend a maximum thickness of 7/16th inch for residential applications and in no case should the thickness exceed ½ inch. There is no recommendation or standard for cushion density. In my opinion the cushion should not exceed 3/8 inch in thickness and should have a density of at least 8 pounds. This will help eliminate buckles and wrinkles and truly enhance the performance of the carpet. Cushion does assist in carpet performance. Using the right cushion is like putting a good suspension system under the carpet. However, if the carpet itself is incapable of performing in the environment in which it is being used because it was miss-specified or incorrectly recommended, the cushion is not going to prevent it from failing to perform. Another twist in this claim is that the carpet was submitted to the manufacturer for testing. The manufacturer conducted a bundle wrap test, encapsulation (which is the same thing because bundle wrap in fact encapsulates the yarn) and tuft bind. None of these tests has anything to do with the carpet flattening out or looking worn. The correct tests would be for appearance retention.
Shedding:
Shedding is a term used to describe fiber coming from the surface of a carpet. It is most often associated with a staple yarn product where the yarn is spun using short lengths of fiber (staple). Think of wool being spun into yarn. In this claim a consumer is experiencing fiber coming from the carpet which is filling the vacuum bag and clogging the vacuum cleaner. Shedding should subside in a reasonable period of time – a year is a reasonable period of time. However, shedding will continue to diminish during this period of time if the yarn is processed properly and anchored securely, the more the carpet is vacuumed. If carpet fiber continues to fill the vacuum and clog it repeatedly this indicates there is a finishing problem with the product which is a defect. This condition can exist with staple or continuous filament yarns when the fiber is not securely anchored in the carpet. This is one of the most denied claims in the industry. No matter how much we fight this particular claim manufacturers continue to deny it. They’ll tell you shedding is normal and will subside or that there is no finishing problem with the carpet. Know this. If a carpet continues to release fiber over a year in volumes high enough to clog a vacuum cleaner and fill the bag, that carpet is defective. This can be irrefutably proven but getting the mill to accept the claim lately is nearly impossible. This is a condition that can be prevented and a claim that can be eliminated.
Colorfastness:
If a carpet color is affected by the influence of UV light, Ozone or Oxides of Nitrogen in a relatively short period of time and tests prove this out, the carpet is defective. Nothing anyone says about it will change the facts of science. These are three colorfastness conditions all carpets must comply with to be merchantable for service. Color fading in anything is normal over a reasonable period of time but it if occurs on a newer carpet it indicates a problem.
If you have problems like these or any other problem with any flooring material call us. We’re the experts in floorcovering problems and we’ll tell you the truth.
Author: Lewis G. Migliore
LGM and Associates – The Floorcovering Experts