Carpets Wall to Wall

What You Need to Know About Carpet!

The Weinheimer Group Certified Carpet Inspectorsstorage cabinet
You are here: Home / Archives for Carpet Concerns

Carpet Color Loss

By 1 Comment

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.

Shift Marks in Carpet

By 14 Comments

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.

Need a Professional Opinion. Fill Out an Inspection Request Form

Carpet Sidematch Problems

By 9 Comments

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. 

Spots on New Carpet Manufacturing Related

By 23 Comments

Spots on new carpet and other mysterious soiling can be disturbing, especially when it starts showing up soon after installation. You know that you did not cause these spot on your new carpet but how did they get there? A number of manufacturing related causes can result to spots on new carpet along with streaks and overall soiling.

Black Spots on New Carpet

Black spots on new carpet

Grease Spots

Black grease spots on new carpet, caused during manufacturing, should be seen when the carpet is first unrolled. Grease spots not there when the carpet is first unrolled are not grease from a manufacturing machine. Dark grease that developed at a later date are rarely manufacturing related. Note: Grease is thick and should be visible. Machine Oil spots discussed next are different than grease.

Machine Oil Spots

Spots on new carpet that start showing within days or a few weeks of installation could be drops of clear machine oil that is now attracting soil. In such a situation the spots will become darker with time as they attract soil. Oil-like substances dripping on the carpet from other equipment or furniture can react in the same way.

Grease and oil from machinery can come in contact with the carpet during manufacturing. Occurs when the carpet comes in contact with bearings, or from leaking seals on equipment. Dark grease most always removed at the manufacturers plant. They will sometimes slip by.

Manufacturer related grease and oil spots on new carpet is a manufacturing related concern and  not considered a defect. Grease spots can be cleaned off using a solvent based cleaner.

Mysteriously Developing Spots on New Carpet Showing as Dark Streaks – Loom Oil

loom oil new carpet showing dark spots dark

Loom oil streaks are one of the most mysterious types of spots on new carpet. Loom oil carpet streaks may take days or weeks following installation before they show up.

These narrow loom oil streaks will always be in a linear direction, either lengthwise or widthwise. The streaks show up mysteriously. They start out as lightly soiled lines or bands and become darker as they attract airborne and walked on soil.

These latent streaks, caused by clear machine oil coming in contact with the carpets pile yarn during manufacturing.

Loom oil streaks spots on new carpet are usually a correctable manufacturing concern and not a defect. Loom oil removed from the carpets pile with a solvent based cleaner.

Over / Under Application of Soil Retardant

testing for flurochemical

Even with carpet they’re can be too much of a good thing. This is especially true with the over application of fluorochemical soil retardant at the time of manufacturing.

While the purpose of a soil and stain repellent finish is to protect the carpet, there are times when an over application will make the carpet sticky and attract soil.

This problem can also occur when jets clogs during application of chemical.  Unprotected bands up to several inches wide are left on the carpet and these portions of the carpet will soil more quickly.

An over or under application of fluorochemical can be corrected by a professional carpet cleaner who will first perform an extraction cleaning. The cleaning will remove the excess treatment and much of the remaining retardant and soil. The carpet cleaner can then re-apply the soil retardant or stain resist agent to the carpet.

To check for missing fluorochemical place a few drops of water on the the carpet in both the clean appearing areas and in the soiled appearing areas. Where present the water should bead up and where applied it will soak in.  If sticky and attracting soil it will be felt. A cutting from an uninstalled remnant may need to be sent to the manufacturer for verification.

An over or under application of fluorochemical that is leaving spots on new carpet is considered a manufacturing problem but not a defect.

Excess Yarn Lubricant Poor Scouring

sudsy residue yarn lubricant

When excessive yarn lubricant is found it will usually be on a carpet manufactured with polypropylene (olefin) yarn.  This excess lubricant can result in rapid overall soiling.

During manufacturing excessive, residual solvent soluble material (soap like substance) may be left on the carpet fiber. Scouring is an operation to remove the sizing and tint used on the warp yarn in weaving and, in general, to clean the fabric prior to dyeing.

To test for excess lubricant agitate a few drops of water into the pile surface. It is important that this be performed in an area that has never been cleaned including spot cleaning.

Excess yarn lubricant is a manufacturing related condition that is easily corrected by rinsing the carpet with a hot water extraction process, NO CLEANING AGENT IS TO BE USED.  Yarn lubricant has surfactants (soap-like) in it and therefore the soap that is already in the carpet will clean the carpet and the clear water rinse will remove the soil and soap.

Properly cleaned, future soiling will not be caused by excess yarn lubricant. This is a manufacturing problem but not a defect.

Will the Manufacturer Replace My Carpet?

While all of the listed conditions are manufacturing related, the manufacturer does not consider any of them defects.

Since these conditions are related to the manufacturing process, the manufacturer will pay for the correction of these conditions. Most manufacturers will first want to have the carpet inspected and verified that it is a manufacturing related concern.

If a consumer is insistent the carpet be replaced, they may be entitled to a replacement. Many carpet manufacturers may insist on a correction before they will even consider a replacement.

For more information on cleaning and maintenance of new carpet visit the Carpet and Rug Institute website.

Need to know more about carpet and other floorcovering problems? Visit FloorCoveringExperts.com

Carpet Seams Showing the Cause

By 59 Comments

carpet seams showing pattern not matchedCarpet seams showing is often the difference between and ordinary carpet installation and a masterpiece. While invisible carpet seams are not always possible, it is the goal of many great installers to construct invisible seams. While this is an admirable goal, invisible seams should never be promised. In fact it is advisable for the sales person to tell the consumer in advance of the installation that the seams cannot be guaranteed invisible. [Read more…]

Carpet Shedding and Fuzzing

By 47 Comments

Carpet shedding and fuzzing a routinely heard complaint with new carpeting. Over the telephone or upon arrival at a carpet shedding complaint we usually hear statements such as, “My vacuum cleaner bag fills up every time I vacuum!,’ ‘My vacuum cleaner stops working because carpet shedding jams it with fuzz!,’ ‘I have tried several different vacuums and they all break or fill up with fuzz!,’ ‘I won’t have any carpet left in a few years, with all the fiber that keeps coming out!,’ ’The carpet shedding is worse than with my dog.’ ‘When sitting on this carpet in dark clothing I am covered by fuzz when I get back up!”

Carpet Shedding and the Industry

carpet shedding

Consumers often purchase new carpet without being properly informed of its characteristics.  Often they are not even told of the products most common characteristics such as carpet shedding with cut pile carpet manufactured with spun (staple) yarn. And that the loss of this fiber through carpet shedding is normal and will not affect its performance.

Unfortunately in the carpet industry not all salespeople are equally trained. While organizations such as the World Floor Covering Association – WFCA and the Carpet and Rug Institute – CRI, offer volumes of free training and libraries full of free carpet information, only a small percent of the industry take advantage of this training. Still, some of these concerns are legitimate manufacturing related problems. Our inspection services are available to make that decision. Online Inspection Request.

Now don’t get me wrong!, as an owner and carpet inspector for the independent onsite testing and inspection company the Weinheimer Group, poorly trained sales people make us money. The fact that many salespeople do not understand carpet shedding and carpet characteristics in general, keeps a roof over my head and food on my table. Regardless, we want consumers and the industry to have a better understanding of carpet concerns such as carpet shedding and that is what Carpets Wall to Wall is all about.

While there are thousands of qualified carpet salespeople that understand the product they are selling, there are as many that are more interested in making the sale than becoming educated and passing that education on to the consumer. When it comes to issues such as carpet shedding the uneducated group of salespeople are just as confused as the consumer.

Carpet Shedding is Not the Same as Carpet Fuzzing

Carpet shedding and fuzzing are used synonymously though carpet shedding and carpet fuzzing are not the same issue.

Carpet Shedding

Fibers that release from the pile with foot traffic or vacuuming. Shedding is a normal characteristic associated with staple yarn (spun) cut pile carpets. It will diminish with a few months of routine vacuuming but will continue to shed to a smaller degree for the life of the carpet.

Carpet Fuzzing (Bearding)

A hairy or beard like appearance on the carpet surface that develops when fibers work loose from the yarn bundle under foot traffic. It is frequently an indication of the need for increased vacuuming thoroughness or frequency. Fuzzing may be attributed to one or more of the following: (1) Embedded dirt and grit cutting the fibers but leaving them still bound at one end. (2) Poor latex penetration of the yarn bundle. (3) Poor spinning of the yarn. Poor twisting and heat setting.

Is Carpet Shedding a Manufacturing Defect or Characteristic?

Occasionally onsite lab testing will show that the carpet fuzzing is a manufacturer related concern. Less frequently carpet shedding is found to be a manufacturing defect. Carpet shedding is normally a characteristic of the product. To determine if carpet shedding is a characteristic or defect we must first identify the yarn system. Shedding is a characteristic of spun (staple) yarn.  While it may be a characteristic we must also determine if the reported concern is carpet shedding or carpet fuzzing. We then identify the cause and severity. At this point it can be determined if it is a characteristic or a defect or a combination of both.

Identifying Carpet Shedding and Carpet Fuzzing with Cut Pile Carpet

Carpet shedding - continuous yarn
Continuous Filament
carpet shedding - staple (spun) yarn
Spun (staple) yarn
  • If the carpet is manufactured with a spun (staple yarn) expect shedding to be more severe than with a continuous filament yarn.
  • Briskly rub the side of the hand, back and forth across the pile to check for loose and attached appearing carpet fibers and fuzz. If most of the fuzz is releasing, this type of fuzz is usually normal for cut pile constructions that is manufactured with a spun (Staple yarn.)
  • With a staple yarn product the filaments of yarn are chopped during yarn processing before being spun into yarn. Many of these short, cut filaments of yarn are not bound at the back of the carpet and work their way to the surface, often leaving areas of fuzz on the face of the carpet. Some of this fuzz is vacuumed out during each vacuuming. While the contents of a vacuum canister will appear as a lot of lost fiber it is much less than it appears to be.
  • This fuzz on the surface of the pile is almost always carpet shedding, which is a characteristic and it is not a defect unless other problems are found that make it a defect.
  • To check for fuzzing which is not the same as fuzz from shedding, look for long fibers that are sticking above the carpets pile face and not releasing from the yarn. Grasp the fibers between the thumb and forefinger and pull upward, if not releasing this is called carpet fuzzing or bearding. Carpet fuzzing is also a characteristic of some carpets though it may indicate a concern such as a fiber spinning or a heat setting concern, inadequate saturation on the yarn bundle with a latex or other binder, or a maintenance concern such as poor maintenance, embedded dirt and grit or the use of a vacuum cleaner that’s brushes are too stiff or aggressive for the carpet.

Identifying Carpet Shedding and Fuzzing with Looped Pile Carpet

  • Carpet shedding and fuzzing also occurs with looped pile carpet. While many looped pile carpet are manufactured with continuous filament yarns which are less prone to carpet shedding, they are not immune from it. Spun synthetic yarn or a natural fiber such as wool offer the same carpet shedding concerns as outlined under cut pile carpet shedding.
  • Fuzzing with fibers that do not release will also appear on loop pile continuous filament products. As with cut pile carpet this may be a manufacturing related concern, a normal characteristic for the type of area it is being used in such as rolling chair casters without chair mats, improper maintenance, abuse or even an improperly specified product for the use the carpet is experiencing.

Should I have Carpet Shedding with My Carpet?

  • With new carpet expect your vacuum cleaner bag or canister to fill up with the first several vacuuming. After the carpet has been thoroughly vacuumed several times the shedding should start to diminish.
  • If you have a carpet manufactured using a spun (staple) yarn system expect it to shed heavily for the first several months, taper off and shed to some degree for the life of the carpet. Follow the carpet manufacturers instructions for maintenance and care of your carpet.
  • Do not use a vacuum cleaner with a stiff or aggressive brush. Many carpet manufacturers are not warranting carpet for many concerns when vacuumed with a Dyson and some other vacuums due to their aggressive nature.
  • If after a few months, you have been caring for your carpet properly, vacuuming it frequently and thoroughly and you still have concerns with carpet shedding, contact the carpet dealer or carpet manufacturer.
  • If you have a carpet shedding concern, the carpet manufacturer or carpet inspector will usually want an unused cutting of the carpet for testing so be sure to save some leftover pieces of carpet from the installation. You paid for the carpet so don’t allow the carpet installer to take them. You may need the remnants for a carpet repair or to make throw rugs.

Carpet Wear Testing and Evaluation

By 10 Comments

carpet wear testing

Carpet wear testing in the lab is primarily used to evaluate new carpet prior to placing it on the market. Carpet wear testing in the lab can also be performed on unused remnants of carpet from an installation. There are also carpet wear testing or evaluation methods that can be performed onsite by trained carpet experts.

Carpet Wear Testing and Evaluation

The certified carpet inspector, experts from the Weinheimer Group are often called upon for carpet wear testing and to evaluate wear on installed carpet installations. When arriving at a site we often hear the statement, “My carpet is wearing out.” It is possible that it is wearing out though more than likely the carpet is experiencing “Ugly Out.” With ugly out the carpet is worn out as far as appearance but not as far as actual wear the way it is interpreted by the carpet industry.

Today most carpets are manufactured with synthetic yarns. Synthetic yarns are nearly impossible to “wear out” when wear is based on the standards set forth in the warranties of most every carpet and yarn manufacturer. Manufacturers wear warranties for the most part protect the manufacturer and not the consumer.  These warranties will usually only cover abrasive wear with most of them calling for a number such as a 10% loss of fiber as a result of “abrasive wear.” Abrasive wear caused by foot traffic.  The warranty will probably say something like this, “This carpet will not experience fiber Loss from Abrasive Wear Caused by Foot Traffic (as hereinafter defined) by more than 10% in any area except stairs. “Fiber Loss from Abrasive Wear” is defined as actual loss of fiber, due to abrasion, from the surface pile of the carpet and does not include damages caused by or resulting in matting, crushing or “watermarking.”

In this article we are limiting carpet wear testing to that performed in the laboratory by companies such as Independent Textile Testing and Professional Testing Labs. In other articles we will discuss onsite testing.

Carpet Wear Testing in the Laboratory

Surface Appearance Changes in Pile Yarn Floor Covering

carpet wear testing - hexapod walker

ASTM D5252 Hexapod Drum Tester is a 12″ diameter-rotating drum that new carpet specimens are placed in for carpet wear testing. The samples are subjected to a metal ball with six attached polyurethane cleats or studs to simulate traffic.

carpet wear testing - vetterman drum
carpet wear testing - foor traffic

ASTM D 5417 Vetterman Drum Tester is a 28.75″ diameter-rotating drum that carpet samples of similar pile height are placed into. A 16-pound ball with polyurethane studs tumbles inside the drum to simulate traffic and wear.
ASTM D 6119  Foot Traffic is a method of testing that creates surface appearance changes in carpet from foot traffic. Using a normal walking pace without scuffing, individuals walk across the specimens, which have been arranged in a particular walking path. Foot traffic units are calculated either by photoelectric or hand held manual counting devices.

Carpet wear testing in the laboratory for surface appearance change, 20,000 foot traffic units is the recommended standard for household applications. ASTM D 6119 – 97 section 10.1

Section 1.2 states, “This practice is applicable to most changes in surface appearance observed in all types of carpet that are intended for residential or commercial use. It eliminates change in appearance associated with soiling by focusing on appearance change due to matting, flattening, or change in pile fiber configuration. Although “pile reversal” or “watermarking” is occasionally visible, this practice is not a reliable method for producing this phenomenon.”

During controlled carpet wear testing the carpet is vacuumed every 1000 foot traffic units using a dual motor, top-loading, upright vacuum cleaner with a rotating brush.
Onsite Evaluation

When evaluating an actual installation onsite we are not dealing with controlled laboratory conditions. Therefore it is important for us to obtain information that will help us to evaluate the conditions.

  • Description of the area
  • Number of individuals that reside in the residence or in a commercial situation the number of individuals that are normally in the area on a given day.
  • Frequency of vacuuming
  • Type and condition of vacuum
  • Maintenance other than vacuuming

How rapidly will 20,000 units develop in a residence?

Now you can develop thousands of scenarios for an installation. For this discussion I have developed two scenarios, a family of 4 and a retired couple (2). These scenarios are examples and not what would actually be used for carpet wear testing.

Scenario One – A Family of Four

For this scenario, let us use a single-family residence and a family of 4. Both parents work outside the home and the children are in school. In the typical household there are days where the family or part of the family is away from the house for the entire day. There are also days when the children or adults have company which increases the amount of traffic for that period of time. Taking this information into consideration, for the sake of this discussion, 4 people are at this house 300 of the 365 days.
In the typical small house you will have cross traffic from the living room or a family room to the kitchen, service porch, bathrooms and bedrooms. Keeping foot traffic units to the very minimum for the sake of this discussion we come up with the following calculation for each family member.
Foot Traffic Units Family of 4

  • 3 trips to the kitchen from the living room
  • 3 trips back to the living room.
  • 3 trips to the bathroom from the living room
  • 3 trips back to the living room
  • 2 trips to the bedroom from the living room
  • 2 trips back to the living room
  • 1 trip when leaving the house in the morning.
  • 1 trip when returning to the house in the evening.
  • 18 trip total per day per family member. For the sake of this discussion we are not including trips to the laundry room, garage, or extra trips to any area.

Now to calculate the foot traffic units for this scenario. 18 trips x 4 family members x 300 days = 21,600 traffic units. ASTM states 20,000-foot traffic units will produce a noticeable change.

Scenario Two – A Retired Couple

This retired couple is at the residence most of the day, so the foot traffic units will naturally be different than for the family of 4. For this discussion, lets say the retired couple is also there only 300 days per year.
Foot Traffic Units Retired Couple

  • 6 trips to the kitchen from the living room to get a drink of water of something to eat
  • 6 trips back to the living room.
  • 7 trips to the bathroom from the living room (no explanation needed)
  • 7 trips back to the living room
  • 3 trips to the bedroom from the living room
  • 3 trips back to the living room
  • 2 trips to go outside during the day.
  • 2 trips to back into the house during the day.
  • 32 trip total per day per family member. For the sake of this discussion we are not including trips to the laundry room, garage, or extra trips to any area.

Now to calculate the foot traffic units for this scenario. 36 trips x 2 family members x 300 days = 21,600 traffic units. ASTM states 20,000-foot traffic units will produce a noticeable change.

While this is no way scientific as you would get with actual carpet wear testing in the lab, it is a reasonable consideration of use that points out how rapidly traffic change develops in an area.

ASTM Terminology

  • carpet, n-all textile floor coverings not designated as rugs.
  • change in surface appearance, n-for pile yarn floor coverings, the cumulative change in surface appearance between unexposed and exposed specimens due to crushing, loss of tuft definition, and matting.
  • crush, n-in pile yarn floor coverings, loss of tuft definition due to entanglement and compression of pile fibers.
  • floor covering, n-an essentially planar material, having a relatively small thickness in comparison to its lengths of yarn to the face of a primary backing.
  • foot traffic units, n-for pile floor coverings, the number of passes by human walkers over a specific group of carpet samples.”
  • Discussion-Foot traffic units should not be taken as the actual number of times each specimen is stepped on, but rather as the number of times that persons pass a designated spot on the walking course.
  • loss of tuft definition, n-for pile yarn floor coverings, the bursting, opening, and untwisting of pile yarn, decrimping of the fibers in the surface pile, or any combination of these.

Pet Urine Carpet Damage

By 7 Comments

Pet urine carpet damage is a concern that inspectors such as the Weinheimer Group see too often. Carpet inspectors are called to investigate a failing carpet and it is actually pet urine carpet damage, not necessarily a pet related problem but a pet owner problem. The animal may be peeing on the carpet but the animal owner is allowing it to occur.

Pet Urine Carpet Damage Prevention or Carpet Failure

Pet Urine Carpet Damaged Dye

pet-urine-carpet

Pet urine carpet will damage dyes used in carpet. The carpet may not be damaged every time an animal wets on it. Often though pet urine will leave a permanent stain. Success in removal of pet urine in carpet is dependent upon the content of the urine, the carpet dyes and finishes, how long the urine has been on the carpet. Unfortunately, there may be times when an accident goes unnoticed and weeks or months later a pet urine carpet discoloration starts showing up on your wall-to-wall carpet. The oily residue in the urine may be attracting soil or the pet urine in carpet may be eroding the carpet dye.

In beige carpet, blue dyes are attacked by pet urine, leaving behind the red and yellow dyes with a resulting stain appearing red, yellow, or orange. If you observe a change in color of the carpet you may want to try the following treatment, it is not always successful though it often is successful at restoring pet urine carpet color change and reducing odor. Following are methods you may want to try:

  • Lightly sponge the area with a solution of two tablespoons of a clear, non-sudsy ammonia in one cup of water. Blot the area with white cloth or paper towels.
  • Mix 1 cup water, 1 cup vinegar, and two big tablespoons of baking soda and mix well. Using a spray bottle, spray onto the spot, wait t 5 to 10 minutes and blot (don’t rub) the area with a white cloth or paper towels.
  • Hydrogen Peroxide. This is another good old home remedy for urine. This can be helpful I stain removal. The brown bottle at the drugstore is usually 3% and this is what you will want to use. Put it into a spray bottle, dampen the spot and allow to dwell on the spot for 10-15 minutes before blotting up.

Delamination of Carpet Backing from Pet Urine Carpet Damage

Moisture can weaken the primary and secondary backing layers. When these backs are weakened, they will often separate. A carpet seam is often the first place this is usually seen. The seam opens and you think you have a carpet manufacturing or installation problem. Unfortunately for you it is a site related problem from pet urine in carpet that has destroyed the bond between the carpets primary and secondary back.

Odor from Pet Urine Carpet Damage

With cats, even more so than dogs, odor can become a serious pet urine in carpet concern. Unless the cat urine can be completely removed and complete odor removal is unlikely, you will have a lingering odor. This can be a very unpleasant pet urine carpet odor.

You may not notice the odor until you are away from the house for a couple of days. You go on a weekend vacation, return and the pet urine carpet odor hits you hard. This is the smell you became oblivious to but everyone else that visited you smelled it from the time they entered your house.

If you want to treat the carpet yourself there are a number of enzymes and other cleaning products that can be purchased at the pet store, veterinary office or janitorial supply house.

Prevention is you best step for pet urine carpet damage. Correction is your ongoing step and perhaps your last attempt to correct pet urine carpet before replacing both the pet and the carpet.

For more on pet urine carpet download information guide from the Carpet and Rug Institute.

Helpful Information

Recent Posts

Recent Comments

Carpet Inspections

weinheimer small add

TWG Flooring Sites

LaminateFloorProblems.com

FloorCentral.com

Weinheimer Group

Schedule a Carpet Inspection