Carpet Lines, Streaks and Bands a Controversial Complaint
Streaks, lines and bands on a newly installed carpet or later on are a controversial complaint. Often similarly appearing, lines, streaks and bands are different concerns. The problem is only a single line or it is a multiple concern.
Identifying Carpet Lines, Streaks, and Bands
- Streaks are random appearing, and much less uniform than either bands or lines.
- Both streaks and lines are narrow or follow a single row of yarn or less than a quarter inch wide.
- Bands are wider than a quarter inch and /or follow two or more rows of yarn.
Lines, streaks and bands can be found in either the width or length direction of carpet. Lines and streaks will sometimes appear dark from one direction and light from the other. At other times the shade remains consistent from either direction. Here’s a hint from nationally recognized floor covering inspectors. The Weinheimer Group. TW Group) advises: Find the direction of the carpet. When you find the cause of a problem, compare it to the direction of the problem. Once you know direction it will be much easier to diagnose the problem.
Lengthwise Lines Bands and Streaks
Warning: Bands, lines or streaks may be seen at the time a carpet is installed. Carpet installed with a visible defect, can lead to the denial of a claim. The manufacturer may consider the concern a pre-existing condition and deny the claim.
- Lengthwise lines usually follow a single row of yarn.
- They can have either a straight or zigzag appearance.
- Lines and streaks may stop and start or run through the entire roll of carpet. Examples include High or Low Lines, Gauge Rows, Oil lines. Sometimes it is a Yarn Concern like a variation in yarn bulk, size or the rate of dye absorption.
Widthwise Lines, Bands and Streaks
Most but not all widthwise lines and bands are manufacturing related.
- Bands that are either high or gouge-like can be Shearing Bands. This is a less common concern. It is often more difficult to diagnose.
- Widthwise bands that are dark from one side can look light from the other. These bands are a few inches wide and two to three feet apart. They will often be Roll Crush.
- Bands that stay under inspection lighting may be Dye Bands.
- Machine Oil Lines and Bands are narrow, dark appearing lines that keep getting darker in appearance.
- If you only see one or two bands, the yarn looks spaced or choppy. This concern is often related to Stop Marks.
- Shift marks are narrow lines or bands. They repeat across the width of the carpet at regular intervals.
- Graphics loop carpet where you see widthwise bands is likely to be a Yarn Telegraphing concern. It may also be a normal repeating carpet pattern.
- A narrow band that is located within 15 inches of a wall is usually a Core Line. Core lines occur from carpet rolled around a carpet tube. The carpets cut edge pushes into the face of the carpet and leaves a line. Core lines usually come out on their own and are most often correctible by steaming.
Lines and Bands any Direction
Bands, lines and streaks are not always visible at the time of installation. After a couple of vacuuming’s, these lines mysteriously show up. This is particularly true with Shearing Bands, Dye Bands and Streaks.
- The line or band showed up after installation and keeps getting darker. the culprit here is most certainly Machine Oil, also known as Loom Oil.
- If the band is near a door or seam, you most often have a Fold Mark. This also applies to other areas where the carpet has been turned back during installation.
- Corn Rowing is another type of line that can take some time to show up. Gauge Rows look similar appearing to corn rowing, yet they are a totally different concern. Gauge rows are usually seen upon installation or when the carpet is first vacuumed.
- Face Cuts and Friction Lines are topical damage. Face cuts can occur during carpet installation. They can also occur when something else is cut on the face of the carpet.
- Friction marks are most common on olefin pile carpet. This occurs when an object is dragged, melting the tips of the carpet pile.
The Weinheimer Group, hopes that you have found this article helpful. While we make our living inspecting carpet and other flooring products, we believe in the sharing of knowledge. When in need of a floor covering inspection, we hope you will contact us.
