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Carpet Color Loss

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Carpet Color Loss – Fading and Yellowing

carpet color loss lighting

Terms such as yellowing are often unclear.  “Yellowing” may not mean yellow in color.  Yellow complaints often range in color from gray to yellow to green.  The frequency of these complaints is greater on lighter and pastel colors.  Commonly carpet color loss problems are seen on white, light gray and light blue residential style carpets.  White carpet is not common on commercial installations; therefore, on commercial installation we see the most problems with grays and blues.

Carpet Color Loss May Be Shading

carpet color loss shading

Much of the time when a carpet is inspected the reported carpet color loss will be readily identifiable as shading, soiling or abrasion. Abraded fibers are usually a more of a gray or brown discoloration but will often appear as a yellow discoloration depending on the color of the carpet.

Problems Commonly Considered Carpet Color Loss

  • Aerosol Overspray Discoloration
  • Antistat Discoloration
  • BHT
  • Cellulosic Browning
  • Formaldehyde
  • High pH Discoloration
  • Nitrogen Oxide
  • Optical Brightener Fading
  • Ozone Fading
  • Pesticide Discoloration
  • Soil – Traffic Lane Gray
  • Stain Resist Treatment Yellowing
  • Sun Fading
  • Tannin Stains
  • Urine
  • Water Stains
  • Yellow Oxides

Understanding Color Change Differences

With many different problems often referred to as the same, you may wonder where start.  Actually, it is not as difficult as it seems if you come at it from the right direction. Here are a few tips that may help you to pin down the problem:

Identifying a Concern

  • Check for shadows. Is there less or no difference when window coverings closed?
  • Check the carpet with a high intensity lamp such as a shop lamp. Do you see more spots than were originally visible?  Are the areas in spots, stripes, follow a pattern, or in another shape all together? 
  • Is the problem only in the traffic lanes? If so this is likely a soiling condition.
  • What does it look like under ultraviolet light? Does it look a brighter yellow, glow blue, green or some other color or is there no change in the carpet’s appearance between the discolored area and the rest of the carpet.  If it glows blue or blue-white, consider Optical Brightener.  If the area glows yellow or yellow-green, consider urine.  Point of note is that you will sometimes find Optical Brightener discoloration and urine in the same locations as the consumer has performed routine spot cleaning there.

A Few Additional Steps in Identifying Concern

  • Does the area appear as a color loss?
  • Is the discoloration only under furniture or rugs or is it symmetrical as if it has been under furniture or rugs it may be formaldehyde yellowing.
  • Is the yellowing only in darker areas and not above seaming tape or tackless strip? If so, consider BHT yellowing.  BHT yellowing from cushion is always a big concern.  While most residential carpet installations will be over cushion, many commercial installations will be direct-glue-down and cushion will not be a factor.
  • If the discoloration is near windows and sliding doors consider sun fading.
  • If the discoloration is overall but looks like fading, you may want to consider gas fading.
  • The discoloration is predominant around walls, consider flea and bug sprays.
  • The carpet is kind of brown on the tips, the problem showed up after cleaning and the carpet has a jute back, or the pile yarn is cotton or wool, cellulosic browning may be the culprit.
  • The discoloration is around a bathroom vanity or other area where you see aerosol products.
  • Is the discoloration near a vinyl floor or other areas where waxes and other floor care products are used? (Wipe the area with a clean towel and see what type of residue you attract).
  • Is the pH of the yellowed area highly alkaline?

For Further Assistance

We have discussed in this article a few of the more common causes of carpet color loss and perceived color loss. The steps listed are a number of the steps a professional inspector will go through in determining the cause of a problem. Perhaps this information will help you determine what it going on with your carpet. If you need further assistance you should consider hiring a Certified Carpet Inspector.

This article has been modified from Carpet Inspectors Handbook by Terry Weinheimer and Kevin Weinheimer. The Weinheimer Group is a nationally recognized floor covering inspection company serving the states of Oregon and Washington. They are available for service nationwide.

Carpet Inspector Education

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certified carpet inspector education

Carpet Inspector Education Becoming Certified

Carpet inspector education is far too basic and far to easy. To become a truly Qualified and Certified Carpet Inspector is not easy! In fact, very few individuals ever continue their carpet inspector education to that point.

Carpet inspector education required to gain Certification is a short 3 to 5 day class. The student learns how to identify the more common carpet problems. The basics of carpet inspection, basic report writing and what the carpet industry expects of them. If they pass the test and pay the fees they become a Certified Carpet Inspector.

Most newly certified inspectors soon learn that becoming a successful carpet inspector is much more difficult than they expected. It is not just about the carpet but also, industry standards, structural concerns, maintenance and more.  Many are taken in by the ads they read for an inspection school. These ads have them believing that they would become an instant success. After performing a few inspections, they throw in the towel and move on to a different line of work. Few carpet inspectors that find success in the industry. Those that do, realized that becoming Certified was but a single step towards becoming a successful qualified expert.

A commonality among Certified Carpet Inspectors that are Qualified Experts. They are educated, have a strong industry background and are knowledgeable in several phases of the carpet industry. The successful Certified Inspector continues to expand their knowledge through experience and continued education. These inspectors become an asset and not a liability to the consumer and the industry.  

Carpet Inspector Education for the Expert

Education for the qualified and certified carpet inspector is on going. Inspectors such as Terry and Kevin Weinheimer, started out with a solid industry background. They continue to keep abreast of ongoing changes in the carpet industry. Have performed hundreds if not thousands of carpet inspections. Continue their carpet inspector education through floor covering associations, manufacturers and schools.

Terry Weinheimer and Kevin Weinheimer are not only Certified Experts, they are the experts. They wrote Carpet Inspectors Handbook. A book that has been used industry wide by professional inspectors and experts in the carpet industry. For both the consumer and the industry Terry and Kevin operate the carpetswalltowall.com website where they share carpet information.

In Summary

The qualified carpet inspector is more than a person with a certification. They continue to improve their knowledge. They participate in seminars and courses that enables them to become a better inspector. As a student, the expert carpet inspector continues to study. They study text books, technical bulletins, newsletters, supplier information and other floor covering related information.

The qualified carpet inspector must have or develop the ability to constantly perform research no matter how knowledgeable they are. The carpet industry is ever-changing. Contrary to what some may believe you cannot know everything. A qualified carpet inspector will find the answers. Through practice, years of experience and a dedication to the industry, they will become recognized experts.

Terry Weinheimer and Kevin Weinheimer of the Weinheimer Group, are recognized experts. They will know how to find the answer. To schedule and inspection or consultation use this online form.

Shift Marks in Carpet

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Shift marks are one of the most controversial claims in the carpet industry. Carpet manufacturers will tell you that shift marks are a normal characteristic and not a defect. Others in the industry often disagree. So what are shift marks and are they a defect or not?

What are Shift Marks?

Carpet Shift Marks
Shift marks viewing the carpet side-to-side

Shift marks are more commonly seen as narrow lines or bands that repeat across the width of the carpet at regular intervals. The surface of the carpet may have narrow widthwise gaps in the pile. The actual gaps can sometimes be difficult to see. Shift marks are most common with graphics or stepover stitch loop-pile carpet. Shift marks can also occur with cut pile carpet.

Shift marks are created

shift marks showing on carpet back
Shift marks showing on primary back of carpet

Tufted carpet is manufactured using a tufting machine with a needle bar that can hold up to 1,800 or more needles. A tufting machine that has been set to manufacturer 12 foot wide 1/10 gauge carpet holds 1,440 needles across its width.With step-over stitch the needle bar shifts in a side-to-side direction. The needles stitch the yarn through the primary backing material. As the needle bar is shifting, tension is placed on the yarn as it is being pulled down.

Shift marks are caused by the yarn being starved or pulled down as the needle bar is shifting back and forth. This added tension results in the appearance of bands or short, little row lines that appear on the face of the carpet. These bands are the most noticeable where they line up at a seam and often start appearing more after the carpet has been down for a while. Shift marks are not correctable.

Are Shift Marks a Manufacturing Defect

No: With commercial looped carpet that is manufactured using a shifting needlebar, it is a sometimes an unwanted characteristic that is not correctable.

Yes/Maybe: With residential cut pile carpet. If the shift marks are not seen in a large sample of the carpet that the consumer ordered from, they did not receive the appearance they bargained for. This is a visual defect though the manufacturer may see it otherwise. It does become the dealer/installer responsibility not to install carpet with visual defects. While shift marks do affect the appearance of a carpet they do not affect its performance.

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Carpet Warranty Limitations

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Carpet Warranty Limitations Residential Carpet

read the carpet warranty limitations

There is a variety of Carpet Warranty Limitations in nearly every carpet warranty. Some of these restrictions are weasel-like (escape) clauses though most are sensible.  Sensible or not, a wise consumer should review and understand them prior to making their purchase.

Carpet Warranty Standard Limitations

Following is a list of Standard Warranty limitations:

Common Limitations and Exclusions

  • Only first quality carpet covered (No irregulars or seconds).
  • Fiber manufacturers only cover carpets that use their yarn system and meet their performance specifications.
  • Residential carpets not covered when used for commercial application.
  • Rental units: Often excluded.
  • Damage from abnormal use such as water damage, plumbing, storm or flood, damage from smoke or fire, damage from improper cleaning methods or materials, and from improper maintenance.
  • Carpet appearance not covered unless specifically listed in the warranty. Appearance includes, not limited to changes from wear, matting, crushing, shading, loss of texture, tears, pulls, cuts, pilling, shedding, fuzzing, pets, burns, furniture indentations, improper installation, defective carpet manufacture, improper cleaning materials or methods.

Common Warranty Coverage and Requirements

  • Repairs or replacements limited to the affected area of the carpet.
  • Required replacement limited to the affected area of the carpet, which will mean the room where the defect or problem exists and only extending to a point such as the nearest wall, doorway or entrance. If identical carpet not available, replacement limited to carpet of comparable cost, quality and sometimes color.
  • The fiber or carpet manufacturer will only pay for the carpet. Some will pay for the removal of the old carpet and installation of the new carpet. Generally excluded on a replacement are moving or replacing equipment, furnishings, partitions, etc.
  • To qualify for repair or replacement, consumer may be asked to provide the original sales receipt or other documentation showing proof of purchase and installation dates. This information must be acceptable to the manufacturer.
  • Some warranties are not transferable. Some warranties are transferable only in owner-occupied residences.
  • Many warranties prorated over a specific period of time with only the carpet covered. The installation, pad and maintenance cost excluded.

Commercial Warranties will cover similar carpet warranty limitations to those of residential warranties and should be studied carefully by all involved.

Article is modified from Carpet Inspectors Handbook by Terry and Kevin Weinheimer

More on Carpet Warranties

Carpet Warranties
No Mat/No Crush Warranty
Texture Retention Warranty
Stain Warranty
Wear Warranty
Carpet Warranty Limitations

No Mat/No Crush Warranty

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No Mat/No Crush Warranty

no mat/no crush warranty

A major complaint with carpet is matting and crushing. To address this concern, some manufacturers such as Shaw offer a No Mat/No Crush warranty on some of their carpet products. This is basically another appearance retention warranty.  While most all carpets are covered by a wear warranty the problem is really not wear as synthetic fibers do not wear out, they “ugly out.” The ugly out is often matting and crushing as the carpets yarn looses its resiliency.

[Read more…]

Carpet Texture Retention Warranty

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Carpet Texture Retention Warranty Basics

carpet texture retention warranty cri reference scale

The carpet texture retention warranty usually covers excessive loss of texture from foot traffic resulting in tuft bursting, opening or loss of twist which cannot be corrected. Under the terms of the carpet texture retention warranty the manufacturer will often have a certified carpet inspector rate the carpet using the CRI texture retention rating scale. These standardized rating scales have a range, 5 = No change, 4 = Slight change, 3 = Noticeable change, 2 = Considerable change, 1 = Severe change (A grading with a decimal indicates that the appearance fell between two grading scales. The accepted change under the terms of the carpet texture retention warranty will often be 3.0 to 3.5. It is considered a normal characteristic for the texture of any carpet to change over time. Texture retention is the ability of carpet’s tufts to retain their visible shape, as measured by the degree of bursting, opening, or untwisting of the tufts at the surface of the carpet.

[Read more…]

Carpet Stain Warranty

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The Carpet Stain Warranty and Soil Warranty

carpet stain resist warranty

As with other carpet warranties the carpet stain warranty may be for a certain number of years such as 5, 10 or 20 or it may be a “lifetime” warranty for the life of the carpet.

  1. Stain resist products are designed for and generally warranted to resist stains from common food and beverages when installed in owner-occupied residences.
  2. Soil resist products are designed for and generally warranted to resist abnormal color changes from normal foot traffic on carpets that are used for indoor residential use, and the carpet cannot be corrected.

Stain Resist Warranties for olefin and polyester will often be more liberal than those on nylon due to the differences in fiber characteristics.

[Read more…]

Carpet Wear Warranty

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Carpet Wear Warranty and Abrasive Wear Resistance

carpet wear warramtyThe carpet wear warranty almost always refers to wear in the terms of abrasive wear. Carpet wear  is described as the actual loss of the carpet face fiber through normal abrasion (foot traffic). A carpet wear warranty will cover periods from 5, 10, or more years and some are for lifetime. Carpet wear warranties cover against becoming abrasively worn through normal abrasion. Standard percentages used to establish the amount of wear required to be considered excessive wear range between 10% and 15%. [Read more…]

Carpet Warranties

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Carpet Warranties Are Diverse and Confusing

carpet warrantiesCarpet warranties are diverse and often confusing to the consumer and professional alike. A fiber manufacturer may imply through a photo in an ad that a carpet will perform in a way that it may not. A salesperson may give the consumer an expressed or implied warranty by stating or inferring that a product will perform in a certain way. Fiber manufacturers, carpet manufacturers, and many dealers offer limited product performance warranties.

Express: To represent in words or to give or convey a true impression of.
Imply: To involve or indicate by inference, association, or necessary consequence rather than by direct statement.

[Read more…]

Carpet Sidematch Problems

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carpet sidematch appearance

Carpet sidematch or carpet side match is the appearance of a shade or hue variation between joined carpet panels. The eye may see what appears as two shades of carpet joined side-by-side. In actuality the shades may be identical.

Carpet is a manmade product that goes through many processes from yarn production, to manufacturing into carpet and its final installation. 

During manufacturing a dye or texture variation may occur, resulting in a sidematch appearance variation. During seaming and installation of carpet a real or perceived carpet sidematch appearance variation may also occur.

Color Vision and Carpet Sidematch

Not everyone sees an object or light source the same way.  An organism or machine will distinguish objects based on the wavelengths (or frequencies) of the light they reflect, emit, or transmit, this is known as color vision. 

A person’s perception of colors is a subjective process. The human brain responds to the stimuli that are produced when incoming light reacts with the cone cells in the eye.

With a carpet sidematch, what the eye sees as a color variation may be an actual difference in hue, shadows, texture or other cause perceived as a color variation.

Manufacturing Sidematch Defect or Characteristic?

sidematch texture variation

A carpet sidematch condition created during manufacturing is not necessarily a defect. A few examples are:

  • Random sheared carpet products where more shearing will take place in some areas than it does in others.
  • Random patterns, not designed for a perfect pattern match.
  • Natural variations in color that take place between dye lots.
  • Slight texture variations from one side of a roll to the other. 

Each of these characteristics may give the appearance of a carpet sidematch. The end user pay perceive these as defects, while the carpet manufacturer recognizes them as characteristics.

Carpet sidematch variations are common. Visit model homes, particularly those that have large rooms and pay close attention to the seam areas.  You will likely see many sidematch variations.

What Causes Carpet Sidematch Variation

Often, the end user, installer and dealer may all have different ideas as to why it is there.  In fact a perceived difference may have multiple contributing causes.

  • Pile reversed during manufacturing or installation.
  • More light or shadow is being cast on one side of the seam.
  • The seam excessively peaked.
  • Multiple dye lots installed.
  • The carpets texture may differ from one part of the roll to another.
  • The pile may have a side-to-side or end-to-end color variation.
  • Crushed pile on one side of the seam.
  • The consumer’s expectations may be too great.

Who’s Fault is a Carpet Sidematch?

Carpet sidematch is a controversial claim. The consumer sees a defective product or installation while the manufacturer may disagree.  The cause can be difficult to identify.  Experts like the Weinheimer Group, realize both money and reputation are at stake. Care must be taken in determining the cause and if and how it can be corrected.

Cause and Effect

A carpet sidematch appearance difference taking place within the roll is not easily detectable until the carpet has been cut and placed side-by-side. Therefore it is routinely not found until the time of installation. What appears as the fault of an installer may actually be a manufacturing concern and the opposite is also true.

Peaking

  • Seam peaking occurs during installation due to the flexing of the thermal plastic tape. Seam peaking is installation characteristic it is not an installation defect unless it is excessive and caused by improper installation.
  • When carpet is stretched properly tight the peak may be higher.
  • With a seam that runs across a major light source the peak will be more visible.
  • When a seam runs into a major light source the peak will be less visible.
  • In a large and sparsely furnished room, the peak may be more visible.

Pile Reversal

  • Pile Reversal occasionally occurs during manufacturing. If the pile reverses midway along the panel and has been there since installation, this will normally be a manufacturer related pile reversal.
  • Sometimes you find that in the lengthwise direction the sweep is the same and in the widthwise direction it reverses.  This condition is unusual and is easiest to identify when all of the arrows on both sides of both panels run in the same direction but you find a side-to-side sweep that is different.
  • Pile reversal more commonly occurs during installation. Pile direction testing and printing on the back of the carpet can usually determine when it occurred

Lighting

  • Lighting is a site-related condition that plays a big roll when it comes to seam visibility. Some rooms have low windows, others high, wall to wall, or floor to ceiling.
  • Some structures are designed with most artificial light at one end or side of the room. Light may be overhead in one area and tabletop lighting in another. Some layouts are such that the seams cannot be ran into the major light source to reduce seam visibility. Under many lighting conditions no matter what you do, a sidematch difference is going to be seen.

Proper Planning

  • Proper planning for installation can play a big part in seam visibility. Taking fill pieces from the same side of the roll and in sequence to its joining panel will reduce variations.
  • When multiple rolls of carpet are cut in dye-lot series, sidematch problems are normally reduced.

Color

  • Hue or shade difference within the roll can occur during manufacturing. Many manufacturers as measured by the AATCC Gray Scale consider a 3.5 to 5 percent variation normal. When carpet is manufactured with nylon pile a hue condition can often be corrected, using a dye process called feather blending. This process is permanent and does not affect the performance of a carpet.

Industry Standards

CRI Carpet Standard 105 – 2015 states, With any seaming method, a properly constructed seam:

  • has cleanly trimmed edges properly secured with edge/seam sealer
  • has tightly abutted edges without gaps or overlaps
  • maintains reasonable pattern match where applicable
  • will not be invisible

Onsite Inspection of Carpet Sidematch Variations

Some sidematch variations are correctable and others are not.

  • Some sidematch variation require little more than direct steam to reorient the pile.
  • With an actual hue difference, some sidematch condition are correctable by a feather blending process. 
  • Other installation may require a partial of full replacement to correct.

Often an onsite inspection is required to determine the best course of action. Certified carpet inspectors are available throughout the United States.  Among the best known and highest respected inspection companies, are The Weinheimer Group, nationally recognized certified carpet inspectors serving the states of Oregon and Washington and available for travel to other areas. 

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