Often-Held Myths Surrounding Carpet are Dispelled by The Carpet and Rug Institute
Contact: CRI Customer Satisfaction, 706.428.2103 or 800.882.8846, ext. 2122
August 30, 2001, DALTON, GA – The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), the industry trade association, is committed to educating people about carpet and to dispel untruths and myths.
“The suggestion that carpet causes indoor air quality problems is a significant issue for the carpet industry to address,” said Werner Braun, president of CRI. “Through research, CRI offers information that is valuable to medical professionals and to anyone living with carpet.”
The following myths have been identified as the top ten most persistent misconceptions, according to Mr. Braun.
Myth No. 1
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| Truth: | An extensive toxicological assessment of components of carpet concluded that the chemicals in carpet pose no health risks of public concern. |
| Reference: | In 1994, Environ Corporation of Arlington, Virginia, prepared a study, Safety Assessment of Components of and Emissions from Carpets. The conclusion was: “For the chemicals identified as being present in, but not emitted from carpet, there is no reason to believe that they present any health risk of public concern. For chemicals identified as being from carpet, no cancer risk of public health concern is predicted for any chemical individually, or when the predicted upper limit on risk is added for all potential carcinogens. Similarly, no non-carcinogenic effects of public health concern would be anticipated.” |
Myth No. 2
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| Truth: | Mold and mildew exist ONLY where there is excess moisture and dirt coupled with poor cleaning and maintenance habits. Mold growth can occur on any surface—from windowpanes to carpet—that is not properly maintained and when moisture is extreme. Eliminating sources of excessive moisture, such as water leaks, and controlling humidity greatly offset the potential for mold to grow. |
| Reference: | In a study conducted by HOST/Racine Industries, six Florida schools were checked for indoor air problems triggered by high humidity and reduced ventilation. Dust-lined, moldy ducts and plumbing leaks onto ceiling tiles allowed mold to grow and released millions of spores into the air. The research supported that mold and mildew are not associated with a particular surface, such as carpet. |
Myth No. 3
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| Truth: | Comparison data from Sweden supports that there is no link between carpet usage and the incidence of asthma or allergies. CRI is not aware of any published scientific research demonstrating a link between carpet and asthma or allergies. |
| Reference: | A study, based on historical figures for ten years, was reported by scientists at the Swedish Institute of Fibre and Polymer Research. They found that while the use of carpet in Sweden had steadily decreased since 1975, the occurrences of allergic reactions in the general population had increased. |
Myth No. 4
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| Truth: | This is true as stated. The critical point, however, is often missed. Carpet holds allergen-causing substances tightly and, as a result, keeps allergens from becoming airborne, minimizing the level of allergens in the breathing zone. This translates to lower exposure potential. The allergens held by carpet’s filter-like effect may be removed by vacuuming, refreshing the filter-like properties of the carpet to allow more material to be removed from the air. Vacuuming mattresses, carpet, and upholstery once or twice a week removed allergens, including dust mite feces—a known source of allergen. It is important to use the proper type of vacuum to minimize re-suspending allergens. |
| Reference: | In Carpet and Airborne Allergens, A Literature Review, Dr. Alan Luedtke refers to the results of a study aimed at determining the effect of routine vacuuming cleaning that indicate frequent vacuum cleaning over a short time significantly reduces house dust and mite allergen levels in carpets.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) studies indicate the effectiveness of carpet in reducing airborne particles. This data indicates that soil in carpet is significantly reduced following cleaning. Visit CRI’s web site to learn about the Green Label Vacuum Cleaner IAQ Testing Program that approves vacuum cleaner models that are most effective in soil removal and dust containment, while keeping carpet looking good. |
Myth No. 5
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| Truth: | As noted previously, an extensive toxicological assessment of components of, and emissions from, carpet concluded that the chemicals in carpet “present no health risks of public health concern.” Further, allergens in carpet may be removed by vacuuming. Vacuum cleaner machines bearing the CRI IAQ Green Label meet scientifically established standards for soil removal and dust containment and help maintain good carpet appearance. |
| Reference: | EPA/RTI Total Building Cleaning Effectiveness Study states, “Organized cleaning contributes to reduction of particle VOCs and biological pollutants 50%+.” Contact the CRI to request both the Carpet and Your Indoor Environment and Clearing the Air in Your Home: A Guide to Safely Minimizing Allergens brochures. Also referenced is the previously mentioned 1994 report from the Environ Corporation, Safety Assessment of Components of and Emissions from Carpets. |
Myth No. 6
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| Truth: | Properly maintained carpet only needs vacuuming once or twice weekly and periodic extraction cleaning. The sweeping, mopping, stripping, waxing, and buffing that hard surface floors demand are more laborious and costly. |
| Reference: | A Building Office Managers Association (BOMA) study found hard-surface floors require two-and-a-half times more annual cleaning than carpet. Consumers may request CRI’s brochures Carpet, the Educated Choice for Schools, Carpet Maintenance for School Facilities, and Use Life Cost Analysis for Commercial Facilities to learn about the life-cycle cost analysis and the value carpet delivers through warmth, comfort, safety, and acoustics in the classroom and at home. |
Myth No. 7
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| Truth: | CRI member companies, representing over 90 percent of the industry’s manufacturers, have an excellent track record over the last dozen years of decreasing wastes produced and energy consumed, improving the industry’s sustainability. |
| Reference: | The Carpet and Rug Institute’s Sustainability Report, 2001 details the industry’s environmental efforts. |
Myth No. 8
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| Truth: | Most new interior furnishings and building materials emit VOCs for a period of time. Emissions from new carpet are among the lowest of any household’s indoor furnishings, and most VOCs dissipate within 24 hours—even faster with good ventilation. |
| Reference: | To further minimize other IAQ concerns, specify low-emitting products, including CRI Green Label carpet, cushion, and adhesive, when selecting household products and furnishings. |
Myth No. 9
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| Truth: | Formaldehyde is not used in the carpet manufacturing process. It is not emitted from new carpet. |
| Reference: | An article published in 1989 in the American Textile Chemist and Colorists Journal stated that research conducted by the School of Textile Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, under Dr. Wayne Tincher and other researchers dispelled this widely-held myth. In addition, the CRI Indoor Air Quality Testing Programs specifically monitor for formaldehyde emission from new carpet, carpet cushion, and installation adhesives as part of the industry’s assurance to the public of the absence of this chemical in these products. |
Myth No. 10
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| Truth: | The latex that holds the fibers and backing together in broadloom carpet is synthetic. Synthetic latex is not associated with the allergic reactions of natural latex, which are caused by the proteins found in natural latex. |
| Reference: | Carpet is made primarily of the same innocuous materials found in clothing and other everyday fabrics, including polyester and nylon. |
Contact the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) at 800 882 8846 or visit the web sites at www.carpet-rug.com and www.carpet-schools.com for extensive information about carpet and rugs.
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CRI is the national trade association for the carpet and rug industry. Its members are manufacturers and suppliers providing over 90% of all carpet produced in the United States. Home | Selecting Carpet and Rugs | Care and Cleaning | Installation | Seal of Approval | Indoor Air Quality Technical Information | Carpet Industry Facts | CRI and Its Member Companies | Studies © 1999-2002 The Carpet & Rug Institute Contact us by email, or call us: 1-800-882-8846 | 706-278-3176 Best viewed at monitor resolution setting of 800 x 600 pixels |
The appearance of carpet tracking can be very disturbing. You install new carpet and within a couple of month or years the carpet has these ugly dark areas in the traffic lanes. You know that you have not been hard on the carpet, you take off your shoes, vacuum regularly and if there is a spot you remove it immediately.You have the carpet cleaned and these dark tracks are still there. This absolutely has to be a defect and you want the carpet company to do something about it.
So what is carpet tracking? Tracking is a gradual change in appearance of the pile. Tracking is commonly seen as two narrow bands like the tracks on a railway. Tracking can be seen as a wide single path and in all instances it develops in an where the traffic is repeated and often pivotal.
With tracking the pile of the carpet often takes on a darker, dirty appearance that when viewed from some directions is hardly seen or is much lighter in appearance. Tracking is usually seen in softer, cut pile carpets such as a plush pile though it is not limited to plushes. This appearance is commonly seen in areas between rooms and hallways. Often the occupants of the residents are older or tend to shuffle their feet.
Tracking is traffic lane shading a form of pile reversal. Through usage the lay of the pile begins to turn. Since more light is reflected off the sides of the pile and part of the yarn has turned a different direction you are seeing light and dark areas. While this appearance can make a carpet look worn out the carpet is not necessarily worn.
Carpet manufacturers consider tracking and shading to be a characteristic and not a defect.
There are many types of warranties on carpets some fiber warranties especially on more expensive carpets include texture retention. Since it is always possible that the texture within the trafficked area has changed to the point to where it is covered by a texture retention warranty you may still want to report your concerns to the dealer or manufacturer and request that your concerns be addressed.
The best way to avoid tracking is to purchase carpet with a denser construction, lower pile height, textured yarn. Examples would be textured Saxony, frieze, and Berber.
It can be challenging for homeowners to choose which type of flooring will work best in their home. Each type of flooring comes with pros and cons, and in choosing which type is right for your situation there are several things you need to consider.
You need to take into consideration your budget, aesthetics, tastes and lifestyle, as well as the amount of humidity, sunlight and water in the room where you are installing the floor. There’s an extensive range of choices and limitless design options to suit all kinds of looks and needs. Read more
by Terry Weinheimer, The Weinheimer Group LLC
Pooling and water marking are forms of shading and pile reversal that the pile of a carpet can experience. Pooling and watermarking are one of the most aggravating and most understood problems in the carpet industry. Pooling can truly result in rapid ugly out of carpet. To pool a carpet need not be soiled nor does it require texture change due to abrasion or foot traffic. Pooling and watermarking is unrelated to a carpets cost, maintenance and traffic. The best and worst maintained carpets can pool. Carpets and rugs of any fiber and any construction can pool and water mark. The worst news is that you may be decorating your home for the first time and unless the carpet in the house has a history of pooling, no on can determine if it is likely to happen to your beautiful new carpet or rug.
My grandson Seth is a little rug rat that loves the water and so do these three bears. While they all appear to be having a good time pooling, this is not the pooling we are talking about.
Carpet pooling is an irreversible, localized change in the orientation of the pile of textile floors covering. The phenomenon has different names in different countries. The terms we are most familiar with in the United States and Canada are “water marking” and “pooling”.
With pooling, some carpets develop areas where the pile appears to have been stained by water, hence, “water marking.”
Some carpets may develop areas that appear dirty. The carpet in this photo is not dirty. The large dark spot is the result of a difference in light reflection due to the pile reversal.
At some installations this appearance takes months to develop. At other installations it develops so rapidly that the consumer believes it to have been there since installation.
The carpet in this picture developed a severe pooling within a week of installation.
The carpet in this photo started to show pooling about five months after installation.
At a single installation the carpet may be installed in several rooms with the condition only developing in one or two of them. The area the condition develops in may be either a major traffic lane or even under furniture.
This condition routinely crosses seams. It even crosses between different color and styles of carpet and maintains a uniform pattern.
The photograph above shows an interface which is a narrow, conspicuous, irregular shaped serpentine line. This interface is often seen with pooling. The pile on the left side sweeps to the left. The pile on the right side sweeps to the right. The interface in the center sweeps upward and the pile in the interface has become very stiff feeling as if it had been starched.
Common Identifying Characteristics of Pooling
- Areas of carpet may look wet as though someone has spilled water on it but the carpet will be perfectly dry.
- Areas reverse in shade when viewed from opposite directions. When the areas are brushed with the hand a sharp difference in pile direction can be seen and felt.
- A narrow, conspicuous, irregular shaped serpentine line (referred to as an interface) usually develops at the edge of the pooled area. The pile at the narrow interface will run in a direction yet. The pile on both sides of the interface will be strongly oriented in opposite directions. As an example the pile at the interface may be oriented north while the pile on one side of the interface is facing east and on the other side it is facing west.
- Water marking often gives the carpet a highly objectionable appearance. Some carpets become downright ugly appearing as if it has been badly stained or allowed to become filthy within a short time of installation. As objectionable and as rapidly as this appearance change may occur, carpet manufacturers consider it a site-related condition and with rare exception will they offer the consumer any type of an adjustment. Water marking is a condition that cannot be permanently corrected.
The CRI States that Pooling is a Site Related Condition
The Carpet and Rug Institute in its manual titled Pile Reversal (“Shading”, “Water Marking”) states: At the present time, 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.
Some of the more common reasons Water Marking (Pooling) are considered site related is:
- Carpet off of the same roll is installed in different areas and the condition only develops in some areas.
- The condition will cross seams between different color, styles, and textures of different manufactures.
- The condition can sometimes be seen on installed carpet and an area rug above it.
- Replacing the carpet with another carpet of any fiber will often result in a repeat of the same condition. Pooling (Water Marking, Pile Reversal)Pooling and water marking are forms of shading and pile reversal that the pile of a carpet can experience.
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The delamination of carpet backing is one of the Read more
Top 5 Installation Mistakes and how to avoid them!
#5 – FAILURE TO SEQUENCE ROLLS BEFORE MAKING ANY CUTS
Many jobs are cut at the warehouse without consideration to floor layout or installation sequence. This is a huge oversight, which can lead to bowing, skewing, dye lot variations and pattern match problems.
There is a dye lot number, as well as a sequence number, within the dye lot on each roll ticket. In absence of the ticket, there is a time/data stamp on the backing, in military format that can be used to sequence cuts. Allow no more than five minutes of time to lapse between cuts for a more symmetrical installation.
#4 – FAILURE TO DRY LAY THE CARPET IN THE AREA TO BE INSTALLED PRIOR TO SPREADING GLUE
This is laying all cuts in sequence, trimming seams and checking pattern match, bow/skew/etc. This step is critical to allow the installer to make adjustments in the drops to ensure that pattern carpet runs true along perimeter walls, borders and columns.
Another advantage of dry laying is that any drops that have pattern deviations (bow, skew, elongation) can be removed from large open areas and used in offices or smaller areas where the effort required to correct these pattern deviations is minimal.
#3 -Failure to apply or improper application of seam sealer, which will result in edge ravel.
CRI 104 installation guidelines require that a 1/8″ continuous bead of seam adhesive be applied to the cut edge and sealer must be in the amount adequate to transfer to the opposite edge when seam edges are abutted. Sealer applied to the concrete next to the edge will not prevent edge ravel. In the eyes of most end users, 4′ of raveling in 100′ feet is unacceptable.
#2-FAILURE TO HAVE THE PROPER TOOLS ON THE JOB
This mistake includes wrong trowel notch size (1/8″ x 1/8″ x 1/8″ U-notch). This leads to inadequate adhesive spread rates and/or the absence of a powerstretcher and Deadman – or Roberts 10 – 117 Mini-Stretcher – for pattern match and bow/skew correction.
Insufficient adhesive makes pattern matching very difficult at best and many times impossible. The adhesive is what holds the carpet in place after the pattern has been matched or when bow/skew has been corrected. A kneekicker cannot move or stretch carpet as effectively as a mini stretcher or powerstretcher and Deadman. An installer on a pattern job without these tools is merely announcing his inexperience with patterned carpet.
#! -FAILURE to recognize that installing patterned carpet is much more complex than non-patterned-and therefore is more expensive to install- THIS IS THE NUMBER ONE PROBLEM!
Not recognizing this fact can result in delayed job completion, budget overruns and dissatisfied Customers. Allow ample time for patterned carpet installations.
By following these simple guidelines, you are on your way to a superior installation – problem FREE.
Originally pulished the summer 2002 issue of The CFI Professional published the following Patcraft Technical bulletin by Jim Burnett, CFI Certified Installer.
