Carpet Wear Warranty and Abrasive Wear Resistance
The carpet wear warranty almost always refers to wear in 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 a 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%.
Abrasive wear is the only thing that an abrasive carpet wear warranty covers. While you can quickly ugly out almost any carpet, achieving 10% abrasive wear on today’s synthetic carpet fibers is rare.
Common Carpet Wear Warranty Exclusions
- Covers only normal wear resulting in loss of pile fiber from the surface of the carpet.
- Indoor residential use only.
- Stairs are excluded.
- Damage can occur from various sources. These include tears, pulls, cuts, and burns. Damage can also come from pets, furniture coasters, and athletic equipment. Athletic footwear, vacuum marks, and heavy wheeled devices are also sources.
- Fuzzing, pilling, shedding, crushing and matting are excluded.
- Changes in appearance caused by soiling or furniture depressions.
- Common Abrasive Wear Consumer Compliance Requirements
- The carpet must be properly installed. Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI 104 & 105) are routinely referred to.
- The carpet must be installed over a pad that meets the manufacturer’s requirement. The manufacturer may refer to a pad meeting a particular specification. This includes HUD UM 72a, Class 1, or Carpet Cushion Council standards. These specifications set minimum standards for weight, thickness, and density. Other physical characteristics will also determine a pad’s performance.
- The carpet must be cleaned by a qualified professional.
- A period of time such as 1, 1 1/2, or 2 years will be specified.
- A particular method such as hot water extraction or dry cleaning will be specified by a particular manufacturer.
- Most manufacturers will require that receipts be maintained as proof of service.
- Some manufacturers will require that the consumer maintain a list. This list should include the products used to spot clean the carpet.
Modified from Carpet Inspectors Handbook by Terry and Kevin Weinheimer
More on Carpet Warranties
Carpet Warranties
No Mat/No Crush Warranty
Carpet Texture Retention Warranty
Carpet Stain Warranty
Carpet Wear Warranty
Carpet Warranty Limitations
