Category: Carpet and Rugs

Layout and Seam Placement
The knowledge of a few basics of measurement and layout are a must for the sales representative, installer, consumer or other individual that is measuring rooms for the installation of a new carpet. It is equally important for the inspector, for you will be called upon to determine the amount of yardage […]

By Terry Weinheimer, The Weinheimer Group LLC
Manufacturing

Latent Problems are those that become apparent only after the floor covering has been installed for a period of time.

Visual Problems are those that are readily visible and should be seen prior to or at the time of installation.

Consumer

Normal appearance change for the carpet style, care and usage.
Improper maintenance.
Animal […]

As in the example below, a carpet manufacturer may issue a set of claims policies that covers what they will and will not do. These policies are usually based on the Carpet and Rug Institute Claims Guidelines.
Residential Claims Policies & Procedures

Claims are accepted for consideration only on carpet, which is graded and sold as first […]

The major fiber used in carpet is nylon, which represents nearly 2/3 of the market. Polypropylene, polyester, wool, and some acrylic and cotton fiber are also used to produce carpet.

In 1950 industry shipments were 97 million square yards (8.730 billion square feet). By 1998 the figure had increased to 16.497 billion square feet) or $10.85 […]

With all cleaning methods a wall to wall carpet needs to be thoroughly vacuumed prior to cleaning to remove any heavy soil such as silicates (the primary constituent of soil), without this pre-vacuuming, dirt and sand are forced to the backing of the carpet.
Absorbent Powder / Dry Extraction CleaningAn absorbent granular material that has been […]

Beware of companies that solicit business over the telephone, or offer cheap prices through mailers, newspaper and other media.
Check references by asking friends who they have used and been happy with.
Ask the store you bought the carpet from or another local retailer for names of reliable cleaning companies.
Call the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration […]

A carpet will not look good unless it is properly maintained. Good maintenance is not difficult but will require a small amount of effort on your part.
Vacuum deeply and frequently at least once or twice a week. As floor covering inspectors we go into homes where people often claim to vacuum several times per week […]

By Terry Weinheimer
Often a dealer will receive a call from a consumer that they sold carpet to less than a year or two ago.  The caller is terribly upset because the expensive new carpet is changing from its light color to a dark color along the walls at the edge of the steps on the […]

 Carpet Fiber Identification and Characteristic Charts

Fiber
Flame Color & smoke
Ash
Special Note
Odor

Nylon
Blue base and orange tipNo Smoke, white puff
Hard, rounded and bead-like in gray-brown to black

Celery or Sealing Wax

Polypropylene / Olefin
Blue base and orange tipNo smoke
Hard, rounded and bead-like in light gray to brown
Floats in water
Asphalt or burning paraffin

Polyester
Orange flameSputters black smoke
Round, hard & shiny black
Dense Black […]

Curious why the pile yarn on your carpet is fuzzy, has little balls on it, or the vacuum canister is filling up quickly? Are you worried that your carpet is defective or wearing out? Below I describe some of the methods that professional inspectors will use to make this determination. Follow these step by step […]