Carpets Wall to Wall

What You Need to Know About Carpet!

The Weinheimer Group Certified Carpet Inspectorsstorage cabinet
  • Home
  • Carpet Wall to Wall About Us
    • Curriculum Vitae’s
    • Contact Us
  • Carpet 101
    • Carpet Glossary of Terms
    • Manufacturing
    • Technical Information Carpet
  • Carpet Articles
    • Carpet Selection
    • Cushion (Pad)
    • Installation & Repair
    • Care
    • Concerns
    • Inspectors
You are here: Home / Archives for Tracking

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

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...]

  • Carpet Warranty Limitations
  • No Mat/No Crush Warranty
  • Carpet Texture Retention Warranty
The Weinheimer Group

Helpful Information

  • Care and Maintenance
  • Carpet 101
  • Carpet Concerns
  • Carpet Cushion (Pad)
  • Carpet Glossary
  • Carpet Manufacturing
  • Carpet Selection
  • Certified Carpet Inspectors
  • Installation & Repair
  • Misc

Recent Posts

  • Carpet Color Loss
  • Carpet Inspector Education
  • Shift Marks in Carpet
  • Carpet Warranty Limitations
  • No Mat/No Crush Warranty
  • Carpet Texture Retention Warranty
  • Carpet Stain Warranty
  • Carpet Wear Warranty

Recent Comments

  • Terry Weinheimer on Carpet Inspector Education
  • Terry Weinheimer on Carpet Shedding and Fuzzing
  • Terry Weinheimer on Carpet Seams Showing the Cause
  • Sarah on Carpet Shedding and Fuzzing
  • Kristi Remus on Carpet Seams Showing the Cause

Carpet Inspections

weinheimer small add

TWG Flooring Sites

LaminateFloorProblems.com

FloorCentral.com

Weinheimer Group

Schedule a Carpet Inspection

Copyright © 2021 · The Weinheimer Group inc· Log in