Be Aware of Your Floor Covering Warranty Protection

The end user and the floor covering professional need to understand what is covered in a warranty and who the warrantor is. Often more than one warranty and more than one warrantor cover a flooring product. The company that produced the product usually offers a warranty. The company that manufactured the yarn or other components of the finished floor covering product will usually have some type of warranty. Additional warranties may include those of flurochemical companies; hardwood finish product manufacturers, distributors, cushion manufacturers, dealers, installers and others.

Using carpet as an example, a carpet manufacturer may decline a claim because they believe it to be a fiber problem. A fiber company may decline the same claim because they believe it to be the problem of the Flurochemical Company. At times an inspector may evaluate the same claim for more than one commissioning party before it is settled. While multiple inspections may appear to the consumer, as shifting of the blame, some commissioning companies unfortunately find it necessary. Where the fiber and yarn manufacturer usually handles that portion of the warranty, the carpet manufacturer covers the construction of the components used in the carpet. Some manufacturers extrude and spin their own yarn and in this case they would also cover the fiber, yarn, and construction and possibly the soil and stain resist warranty.