How Cushion - Carpet Pad Contributes to Ugly Out

Installing New Carpet over Old Cushion - Carpet Pad

It is common for an inspector to investigate an installation and find poor performing carpet installed over the old cushion.  While this old cushion may have looked pretty good to the installer or salesperson that talked them out of a new one, it has often lost much of its resilience. Was the salesman so unskilled that he or she was unable to explain the need for a proper cushion?  Was the installer just too lazy to take up and install a new cushion?  While the knowledgeable inspector might not know the motive for installing a new carpet over and old cushion, they certainly can tell when the cushion is bad.  When a cushion is bad they will report that fact in their findings.  A manufacturer may reduce coverage or refuse to warrant a carpet that is installed over an old pad.

Installing Carpet over Improperly Specified New Cushion

Just as with carpet installed over an old cushion, a carpet installed over a new improperly specified cushion will exhibit premature wear.  The Carpet and Rug Institute, Carpet Cushion Council, FHA, and most carpet manufacturers have recommended standards for carpet cushion.  Every individual that is selling carpet needs to know and follow these standards.  Just as with used cushion a manufacturer may reduce coverage or refuse to warrant a carpet that is installed over a cushion that does not meet their standards.  The Installer also needs to be aware of cushion standards for they are often blamed for restretching problems that are actually due to improperly specified carpet cushion.