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Carpet Complaint Terms
Abrasive Wear - This is generally defined as the actual loss of face fibers through foot traffic. While wear is often a complaint, today’s synthetic carpets are almost impossible to wear out so this seldom becomes an actual claims factor.
Atmospheric soil/dirt: - As it relates to carpet, it is the dust, pollen, smoke, cooking vapors and other air-transported materials that will settle on any floor.
B
Bleeding - A change of color that occurs when the carpet dyes are exposed to water.
Bow - An arc like distortion of a carpet pattern. Bowing develops when the speed of the tenter is running too fast, resulting in the carpet dragging on the inside rollers while the carpet is drying.
Buckling & Puckering (Ripples)(Wrinkles) - Referred to by many names and seen on stretching complaints. A carpet after extended use may ripple or develop ridges. This problem may be due to one or more of the following: (1) High humidity that results in dampness between the carpet and floor. (2) A cushion that is soft or of low-density, allowing distortion of the carpet under foot. (3) Inadequate stretching of the carpet at the time of the originally installed. (4) Too soft or too stiff of a back or other dimensional stability problem that prevents the carpet from holding a stretch. A proper power restretching by qualified installers should correct an in adequate stretch (3). With (1), (2) and (4) the correction may only be temporary.
Burns - Most carpets will burn. Small burns such as those from a cigarette can often be improved by brushing off the charred fiber or trimming it with scissors. If the burned spot is deep, it will require reburling or an insert.
C
Changes of backing material by the manufacturer in not the basis for a claim.
Color Breakdown - Incorrect dyeing methods or defective dyes causing a color change over a period of time.
Color Change - It is normal for carpet to change color with use. Under certain conditions, color retention is affected by the presence of sunlight, humidity, heat, and oxides and other gasses in the environment. Color appearance can change in traffic areas and as a result of improper maintenance.
Corn Rowing - Rows sometimes appear in certain styles of carpet in high traffic areas. It is considered a maintenance related condition and can be caused by soiling, pile crushing in traffic patterns or by repeated vacuuming that is always in the same direction. To minimize corn rowing a carpet can be brushed with a grooming tool, vacuumed with a unit having a beater bar and frequently changing the direction of the vacuum strokes.
Crocking - Dye rubs off of the carpet due to not enough steaming during setting or not enough working time to wash out all set dyes and chemicals.
Crushing (furniture indentations) - These develop under the weight of furniture legs. These indentations can often be lifted with a coin but may require steaming with a steam iron or travel steamer. When a back is very stiff or very soft, or the cushion under a carpet collapses you may not be able to remove the total indentation.
Crushing (See Pile Crushing)
D E
Delamination - Is the separation of the primary and secondary backing and is due to a manufacturing, specification, installation or site-related cause. No claim for delamination at seams will be honored where lamination tests on the overall carpet meet accepted industry standards. No claims will be honored where improper padding has been utilized.
Dirty Back - Occurs when unwrapped carpet comes in contact with dirt or grime. This would not mean the carpet was defective.
Discolored or Stained Nap - This can happen when a wet carpet is put into dirty floats and wet yarn absorbs dirt of rust.
Dye Bands - Dye bands generally run lengthwise and can be cause by stops during continuous dyeing or by and uneven application of dye either too heavy or too light during continuous dyeing. (Also see rope marks.)
Dye Spots - These are randomly located spots that are caused by a heavier than normal concentration of dye of the same color or a different color.
Dye Streaks - Dye streaks generally run lengthwise and can be caused by uneven dye application, something rubbing on the carpet or from a crease that develops during the dyeing process. Clogged nozzle on dye equipment and not giving enough dispersion.
F
Fading - All carpets will slowly lose some color due to both natural and artificial forces in the environment. Fading can be delayed by (1) Frequently vacuuming to removing dirt. (2) Routinely changing air filters in the heating and air conditioning systems. (3) Keeping temperature and humidity from getting too high. (4) Reducing a carpet exposure to direct sunlight through the use of window coverings.
Filtration Soiling - Where air is forced through the carpet, under doors, along steps by air movement, soil will be deposited in streaks or spots. Professional cleaning may temporarily correct this, but the condition will reoccur until the airflow is corrected.
Footprints - Most deep cut pile carpet will show shoe or foot impressions. For those that find this objectionable, a carpet of lower pile and denser construction can help minimize this condition. Textured saxony and frieze constructions are ideal for minimizing the appearance of footprints.
Fused Nap - Melted tips of tufts on nap that can be caused by excessive dryer heat.
Fuzzed fibers can be carefully clipped with scissors or sheared by a company providing correction services.
Fuzzing (Bearding) - A hairy or beard like appearance on the carpet surface that develops when fibers work loose from the yarn bundle under foot traffic. It is frequently an indication of the need for increased vacuuming thoroughness or frequency. Fuzzing may be attributed to one or more of the following: (1) Embedded dirt and grit cutting the fibers but leaving them still bound at one end. (2) Poor latex penetration of the yarn bundle. (3) Poor spinning of the yarn. Poor twisting and heatsetting. (Also see shedding)
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