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You are here: Home / Archives for Carpet Fiber

Carpet Texture Retention Warranty

By Terry Weinheimer 2 Comments

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…]

Filed Under: Carpet 101 Tagged With: Carpet, Carpet Fiber, Education, Warranty

Carpet Shedding and Fuzzing

By Terry Weinheimer 37 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!”

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Carpet Concerns Tagged With: Carpet Fiber, Carpet Manufacturing, Maintenance

Carpet Choices for Wall to Wall Carpet

By Terry Weinheimer 2 Comments

Carpet Choice is almost Limitless

carpet selection

Carpet choices are almost limitless for wall to wall carpet. There are carpet choices in color, carpet choices in style, carpet choices in texture and  carpet choices in fiber. Carpet is also manufactured in many different qualities from those designed for no more than a quick cover up, to qualities designed for excellent performance and those where a particular appearance  is the most important feature.  As you can see, there are many carpet choices and these are all considerations that you will want to make when considering the carpet options available to you. 

Two popular carpet choices are tufted loop pile and tufted cut pile.  With a loop pile the yarn is tufted or pulled through the backing of the carpet creating a loop. With cut pile carpet the loop is tufted or pulled through the back and the loop is cut which leaves the cut ends standing erect.

Many people consider cut pile to be the best carpet choice as they find it to be more stylish and a looped carpet to be more casual.  Cut piles come in many styles, such as shag, textured, saxony, and velvet.  Loop pile choices include Berber, cable, or sisal.  For high traffic areas, loop pile is an excellent choice.

One of the factors with choosing your carpet is the cost.  For years wool carpet has been considered the hallmark for style. Unfortunately a good quality wool carpet is more expensive than most of us can afford. And the cleaning takes time too. Manufactures have made it a practice to emulate wool in many of their synthetic products creating a good-looking and good performing product and affordable costs.

Carpet choices for synthetic carpet yarns are available in continuous filament and spun yarns. While a spun yarn will look more like wool it will also shed more. Many people find their vacuum bags and canisters filling up with carpet fuzz. This is normally because the carpet is manufactured from a spun yarn and is a normal characteristic and not a defect.

wool carpet sheep

If you are able to afford good quality wool carpeting,this can be an excellent carpet choice. You’ll find that even though it costs of wool carpet is more to purchase and install, it will prove to be far more superior to any other type of carpeting.  While there is some wonderful man-made carpet fibers that come close to the durability, rich look, or even the feel of wool they still have a ways to go before they are perfected to the quality of a wool carpet which can both last and look good for 30 years or more.

nylon carpet fiber

Nylon carpeting is also a popular carpet choices, recommended for high traffic areas. Nylon is an easy to work with fiber enabling manufacturers to created unlimited styles, patterns and colors. Nylon is one of the most expensive types of synthetic fibers, although it is still cheaper than wool.

olefin carpet stain resistance

Olefin is a low-cost carpet material, often used for indoor or outdoor carpeting.  Olefin is colorfast and strong, very easy to clean.  One of the draw backs to olefin is that it can easily be crushed.

Another consideration you’ll have is the color and patterns of the carpet.  Light carpeting colors help to create a spacious effect, making the room appear to be larger.  Since light color carpet reflects light it will show soil and foot prints easier than your darker colors.

When looking for soil hiding qualities for homes with pets and children your darker colors are usually a better choice. Fortunately there are many carpet choices in dark colors, which is great for those interested in style.  Dark colors are ideal for stains or pets, as they don’t show soiled areas near as much as light-colored carpets.

Don’t let the fact that a carpet has been treated for stain resistance make you comfortable in selecting a light-colored carpet. If you have children and pets and must have a lighter colored carpet be prepared for the extra care when it comes to stains and spots.

Filed Under: Carpet Selection Tagged With: Berber, Carpet, Carpet Fiber, Carpet Manufacturing, Carpet Protection, Carpets Benefits, Cleaning, Color, Cut Pile, Floor Covering, Loop, Nylon, Olefin, Saxony, Selecting Carpet, Soil, Style, Tufted, w, Wool

Carpet Shading, Footprints, Pooling

By Terry Weinheimer 56 Comments

shading and pooling

Why is My New Carpet Turning Different Shades?

There are many types of carpet shading complaints. Carpet shading is a localized alteration in the orientation of the pile.  Shading occurs as the result of randomness in pile lay direction. Shading will be seen on both wall to wall carpets and rugs. The physical cause of shading is due to the difference between light reflection from the greater surface area of the side of the bent fibers, which appear lighter in color, compared to the greater light absorption and darker appearance of the more vertically oriented fibers.

As a result of this change in light reflection a carpet will often take on an appearance as if a portion of the carpet has changed in hue. When inspection lighting is applied over the shaded area, no actual change will be seen. Carpet shading can occur as temporary carpet shading, tracking, or pile reversal defined as follows:

Carpet Shading

Carpet shading is a normal characteristic of cut pile carpets, especially those with a smooth pile such as velvets and saxony plush. Carpet shading is considered an aesthetic quality of fine carpet and is not considered a defect. Shading is caused by light reflecting differently off of tufts that bend differently from footprints, vacuuming, etc.

A person that finds carpet shading objectionable should select a carpet with a denser construction, lower pile height, textured yarn. Examples would be textured saxony, frieze, and berber.

carpet shading and tracking

Carpet Shading is identified by areas that appear lighter or darker depending upon the direction they are viewed from. Brushing the pile with the hand will result in a change of shade.

Temporary Carpet Shading

A reversible, localized change in orientation of a carpets pile. Temporary shading is often described as a normal characteristic of certain cut pile textile floor covering.

Carpet Tracking

A gradual change in appearance of a carpet from the edge to middle of a narrow band caused by repeated walking over the same area which may result in a localized change in pile orientation and may be irreversible

Carpet Footprints

footprints on carpet

These are shading marks left by humans and animals walking across the carpet. They may be noticeable for a few minutes or a few days depending upon the texture and resiliency of the fiber. Most deep-pile and smooth pile carpets will show footprints.

Vacuum Cleaner Marks

These are shading marks left by the brush and/or wheels of the vacuum cleaner. They may be noticeable for a few minutes or a few days depending upon the texture and resiliency of the fiber. Most deep-pile and smooth pile carpets will show vacuum cleaner marks

 Pile Reversal

carpet pooling - watermarking

Pile Reversal (Watermarking, Pooling)

An irreversible, localized change in orientation of a carpets pile. The phenomenon has different names in different countries
Over time, areas of carpet may look as though someone has spilled water on various sections of the carpet, hence, “water marking.” Other names to describe the phenomenon include “pooling” and “highlighting.

Common Identifying Characteristics: Areas of carpet may look as though someone has spilled water on various sections of the carpet, hence the term water marking. Areas reverse in shade when viewed from opposite directions. Shade will appear to change when brushing with the hand. At the interfaces (edge of perceived change), the pile on either side will be strongly oriented in opposite directions. Conspicuous, irregularly shaped serpentine lines or “interfaces” will generally be located in or immediately adjacent to traffic paths. The traffic pattern may not precisely follow the flow of traffic, but will appear to waver randomly throughout the trafficked pile.

Type of Claim: While water marking may give a highly objectionable appearance it is considered a characteristic and not a defect. Replacing the carpet with a similar carpet of any fiber will likely develop in the same condition within a few months. The causes of this form of pile reversal have not been conclusively determined. Because it occurs almost exclusively in and immediately adjacent to trafficked areas, traffic appears to be a significant contributing factor; however, several environmental factors, e.g. static electricity, electromagnetic fields have also been advanced as possible contributing factors.
The Carpet and Rug Institute in its manual titled Pile Reversal (“Shading”, “Water Marking”), states……the only conclusion which can be drawn is that pile reversal may develop on the surface of some carpet after it is installed, and that pile reversal is not due to the materials which are used to produce the carpet, the manufacturing process, or any combination of these factors.

Filed Under: Carpet Concerns Tagged With: Care, Carpet, Carpet Fiber, Carpet Manufacturing, Carpeting, Cut Pile, Footprints, Light Reflection, Pooling, Rug, Shading, Spot, Tracking, Vacuum Marks, Wall to Wall, Watermarking

Carpet Sprouting, Sprouts, Tuft Loss and Holes

By Terry Weinheimer 10 Comments

Carpet Holes Sprouting and Yarn Pulling Out

carpet sprouts, tuft loss, holessprouingDSC_1056My carpet is going to go bare! A complaint so often heard from consumers when they see  loose tufts, snags and carpet sprouting on their wall to wall carpet. Seeing the yarn coming out of their carpet says to them that the carpet is failing and there must be a manufacturing problem. Most carpet sprouting issues, high tufts or even holes in carpet are not manufacturing problems even though they are a carpet issue that needs to be addressed. At the same time, some tuft loss on a cut pile carpet is considered normal and is not a reason for alarm. When in question, expert certified carpet inspectors like Terry and Kevin Weinheimer of the Weinheimer Group can determine cause and if a simple correction is called for or a carpet needs to be replaced. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Carpet Concerns Tagged With: Association, Carpet, Carpet Back, Carpet Fiber, Carpet Manufacturing, Carpeting, Cleaning, CRI, Delamination, Dry Cleaning, Education, Expert, Floor, Group, Inspector, Inspectors, Installation, Installer, Kevin, Manufacturer, Organization, Snags, Sprouts, Terry, Wall to Wall, Weinheimer

Carpet Recycling Process

By Terry Weinheimer 2 Comments

Carpet Recycling (includes video)

carpet recycling

For years wall to wall carpet has  filled our landfills. More and more carpet recycling is now taking place and carpet is quickly becoming a green product. Shaw is an example of a manufacturer participating in carpet recycling. They have  established a carpet collection network covering most major U.S. markets. The collected carpet is made with nylon 6 face fiber. An average of 80 percent of the post-consumer carpet Shaw collects is made with nylon 6 fiber. When reclaimed material has been manufactured with plastic and can’t be recycled into new carpet, it can also be diverted for reuse in carpet cushion, erosion and sediment control products and engineered resins that are used to produce injection molded plastic automobile parts. Another industry example is Mohawk. As part of there recycling program they recycle pop and water bottles into EverStrand carpets. With this product, all recycled content can be certified.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WIgs2_YfQs
Watch the above video and learn more about how the wall to wall carpet industry participated in carpet recycling process and how this program is helping to protect our environment.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Carpet Manufacturing Tagged With: Backing, Carpet, Carpet Back, Carpet Fiber, Carpet Manufacturing, Fibre, Green, Manufacturer, Production, Recycling, Wall to Wall

How Carpet is Made

By Terry Weinheimer Leave a Comment

how carpet is made by tufting

Wondering how carpet is made? At one time the most popular method of carpet was weaving and the fiber was primarily wool. Over 50 years ago tufting a process once used to make bedspreads came into popularity for making carpet. Many of the tufted carpets were first made of cotton. Today most carpets are made with synthetic fibers and still tufted.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Carpet Manufacturing Tagged With: Carpet, Carpet Back, Carpet Fiber, Carpet Manufacturing, Manufacturer, Patterned Carpet, Tufted Carpet, Tufting, Tufting Machine, Woven Carpet

Carpet Spot Removal Steps

By Terry Weinheimer Leave a Comment

tracked in mud

Tips for Carpet Spot Removal

Again we’re faced with spot removal from our new carpet, one of those unexpected accidents of life! As aggravating as these accidents can be at times they are often easier to overcome than we would expect.  This is especially true when it comes to spot removal of those dirty spots and spills on our carpet. Sure it is upsetting to install a new wall to wall carpet only to have your child or husband track in mud or spill a beverage. Now you are faced with spot removal to remove those spots that you should not have had in your newly carpeted room in the first place. The good news is that those disturbing spots from mud to milk or even blood are usually easier to clean from the carpet than you think. With only a small amount of effort at spot removal, even stubborn spots and spills can usually be removed.  Here are several spot removal tips that will help you keep your carpet looking great. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Care and Maintenance Tagged With: Care, Carpet, Carpet Fiber, Carpet Protection, Cleaning, Maintenance, Recurring Spots, Removal, Spot, Spot Cleaning

Request a Carpet Inspection

Request a Carpet Inspection from The Weinheimer Group

Carpet Inspection Oregon/Washington 800-621-3427

The Weinheimer Group Certified Carpet Inspectors

When A Carpet Inspection is Needed

Carpet is one of the largest investments a homeowner will make. At times, your expensive carpet, hardwood, laminate or other floorcovering investment will fail.

The Weinheimer Group is here to help you. Many answers can be found on our webpages. When a more in-depth analysis is required, our Nationally Recognized Certified Floorcovering Experts are available to investigate the cause of complaint.

We will visit the installation, perform on-site testing, photograph and document the concern. Following our review of tests results and technical data, we prepare a written report based on the facts.

Our Certified Carpet and Flooring Inspectors are members of National and International Professional Organizations such as WFCA, NWFA and NICFI.

Each inspector holds multiple certifications from national and international associations such as NWFA, NALFA and FCITS.

We service Oregon and Washington on a regular basis. As industry-recognized experts, we are available for travel and consulting throughout the United States.

For more information or to arrange for service, Contact The Weinheimer Group. 800-621-3437

Carpet Color Loss

Carpet Color Loss – Fading and Yellowing Terms such as yellowing are often … [Read More...]

Carpet Inspector Education

Carpet Inspector Education Becoming Certified Carpet inspector education is … [Read More...]

Shift Marks in Carpet

Shift marks are one of the most controversial claims in the carpet industry. … [Read More...]

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