Carpet Warranty Limitations Residential Carpet

There is a variety of Carpet Warranty Limitations in nearly every carpet warranty. Some of these restrictions are weasel-like (escape) clauses though most are sensible.  Sensible or not, a wise consumer should review and understand them prior to making their purchase.

Carpet Warranty Standard Limitations

Following is a list of Standard Warranty limitations:

• Only first quality carpet covered (No irregulars or seconds).
• Fiber manufacturers only cover carpets that use their yarn system and meet their performance specifications.
• Residential carpets not covered when used for commercial application.
• Rental units: Often excluded.
• Damage from abnormal use such as water damage, plumbing, storm or flood, damage from smoke or fire, damage from improper cleaning methods or materials, and from improper maintenance.
• Carpet appearance not covered unless specifically listed in the warranty. Appearance includes but is not limited to changes from wear, matting, crushing, shading, loss of texture, tears, pulls, cuts, pilling, shedding, fuzzing, pets, burns, furniture indentations, improper installation, defective carpet manufacture, improper cleaning materials or methods.
• Repairs or replacements are limited to the affected area of the carpet.
• Required replacement is limited to the affected area of the carpet, which will mean the room where the defect or problem exists and only extending to a point such as the nearest wall, doorway or entrance. If the identical carpet is not available the replacement is limited to a carpet of comparable cost, quality and sometimes color.
• The fiber or carpet manufacturer will only pay for the carpet. Some will pay for the removal of the old carpet and installation of the new carpet. Generally excluded on a replacement are moving or replacing equipment, furnishings, partitions, etc.
• To qualify for repair or replacement, the consumer may be asked to provide the original sales receipt or other documentation showing proof of purchase and installation dates. This information must be acceptable to the manufacturer.
• Some warranties are not transferred and some warranties are transferable only in owner-occupied residences.
• Many warranties are prorated over a specific period of time with only the carpet covered and the installation, pad and maintenance cost excluded.

Commercial Warranties will cover similar carpet warranty limitations to those of residential warranties and should be studied carefully by all involved.

Article is modified from Carpet Inspectors Handbook by Terry and Kevin Weinheimer

More on Carpet Warranties

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No Mat/No Crush Warranty
Texture Retention Warranty
Stain Warranty
Wear Warranty
Carpet Warranty Limitations

Carpet Wear Warranty and Abrasive Wear Resistance

The carpet wear warranty almost always refers to wear in the 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 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%. [Read more…]