A carpet manufacturer called the other day to discuss discoloration at the seam on one of their products. The discoloration was on both sides of the seam, the width of the seaming tape. The unique factor was that along the seam there were rectangular shapes, at varying distances apart, that were even lighter. The carpet had already been replaced by the manufacturer because they were lead to believe it was their fault. I asked if they had a sample they could send which they did. When we received the carpet sample, intact with the seam, it was plain to see the discoloration. Actually the carpet was lighter on either side of the seam, the width of the seaming tape. Further, we placed a seaming iron on the carpet and found, as we suspected, that the iron fit exactly the shape of the lighter, rectangular shapes visible on the carpet surface at the seam. If something looks so uniform as to have shapes that are recognizable, such as squares, circles, rectangles, or stars, then the carpet has not caused the problem, it is reacting to something that created a condition that compromised it in some way. In this case the color, that is the dyes, had been compromised.

What happened here? The carpet started to get lighter at the seam about 5 months after installation. The carpet gets exposure to sunlight near this seam, not extraordinary, but enough to catalyst this reaction. It is also obvious ozone was involved because the color loss is from the blue dye component. This is not a manufacturing defect. The problem was created by the installation process. The installer most likely, dragged his tool box or other metal item behind his iron trapping heat and moisture, both of which will weaken dye stuffs. Setting the iron too high and not using a heat shield can also cause discoloration at the seam. On some carpets these conditions can also distort the fiber and yarn changing the light reflectance which will alter the color. Remember that I’ve always said, the carpet never lies, it will always tell you what’s wrong if you know how to interpret what it’s saying. The rectangular areas on the seam fit the size and shape of a seaming iron perfectly. In this case the evidence is blatantly clear because we can actually, physically fit the perpetrator of the damage to the color change condition. Where the installer stopped with the iron he subjected the carpet to an inordinate amount of heat which left the distinct shape of the iron. Once the normal occurrences of ultra violet light and ozone influenced the carpet, the weakened dye will begin to break down and fade causing the lighter areas. As the change occurs it leaves the tell tale signs of exactly what happened to the carpet, so distinctly that it you can’t argue with the facts.

Here’s a case of the manufacturer replacing carpet they had no business replacing. This is a problem created by the installer. This problem would not have occurred if the dye had not been weakened by the seaming iron. This is not an uncommon occurrence which is one of the reasons there are guidelines about not using a tool box tray or metal device to drag behind the iron when making a seam. A heat shield should also be used on the iron and the iron should not be placed the highest setting. In this case the consumer was needlessly dragged into this fiasco, but they often are with claims. This claim could have easily been prevented.

The next problem is with a hardwood floor. A consumer had her hardwood flooring refinished several months ago with polyurethane. She bought a rubber backed runners to protect the heavily trafficked areas. The floor under the runners turned white in one week. What happened? The rubber on the backs of the runners reacted with the polyurethane put on the floor and caused the polyurethane to lift, which is why it turned white. This is similar to the way an end table or coffee table might look if you put a wet glass on top of it and it leaves a white spot. It actually loosens or lifts the finish off the wood. Rubber backed runners can also yellow vinyl flooring. In this case the consumer will have to remove the runners and use them someplace else. The floor refinisher will have to come back in and refinish the affected areas. Any runners used should be cotton or some type of soft woven material with a non-skid polyurethane pad. This will keep the hardwood floor finish from lifting or discoloring. It will also keep the rugs in place so they don’t slide around under foot.

No matter where you use runners you should be sure that the backing is compatible with the surface on which you’re going to place them. In the past we have dealt with light colored carpets turning yellow beneath rubber backed runners or with vinyl floors turning yellow under the runners. The yellowing on the carpet can very often be removed with a citric acid spray. The yellowing on vinyl is permanent. Any discoloration on wood will require refinishing and most likely can be corrected. Keep this information in mind because with all the hard surface materials used what you put on them can affect them in some adverse ways.