What are some of the retail carpet dealers biggest problems? We know that side match shade variation is the industrys’ biggest problem and not far behind that is still fuzzing and pilling. Both of these are manufacturing issues. One of the biggest concerns of the end user is performance, whatever it may be related to, when the product is not living up to their expectations. Most of the time this problem is created because the wrong carpet was sold into a location where it wouldn’t work and someone didn’t have the foresight to know it wouldn’t work the way it was expected to. This is a selling issue that we’ve talked about ad nauseam regarding these types of complaints. When it comes to installation there seems to be a continuing problem with carpets wrinkling and buckling and seams peaking. Almost every week this year, without fail, I get calls and emails from dealers all over the country about wrinkling problems. What’s most frustrating to everyone of these dealers is they’ve sent their installers out 2 or 3 times to restretch the carpet only to have it wrinkle again. A dealer called this week who had 14 jobs in the same new tract of homes wrinkling. The manufacturer will do little about buckles or wrinkles, especially if independent tests reveal no compromises in dimensional stability, and the dealer is left to fend, most of the time, for himself. What can you do to help yourself?

Ask yourself this question, whose carpets am I having the most trouble with, what type of backing does it have, what type of pad and tack strip was used, how far is the strip from the wall and what techniques and procedures were used to install the carpet? Next use common sense and don’t be oblivious to what may be an obvious cause. This is a simple procedure that should yield an answer. If the same installation procedures are used and you only have trouble with one manufacturer then chances are you’ve found your problem. The most likely cause of the wrinkling then, based on the process of elimination I laid out for you, is the carpet backing. But remember, you have to have done everything else correctly, without any excuses why you couldn’t, like it cost too much. What can you, who only sells the product and doesn’t make it, do about preventing wrinkles and loose carpet?

Buy carpet that is virtually wrinkle resistant like SoftBac. Dealers lament about the industry telling them you have to acclimate the carpet, you really don’t have to do that with this product. Another benefit is the backing is soft so it won’t scratch the walls, another big complaint of consumers. The tool the installer uses to tuck the carpet onto the tackstrip may scuff or scratch the walls but the carpet backing won’t. This carpet does not have a propensity to peak at the seams, when the seams are made the prescribed way, another big complaint eliminated or minimized. This carpet product is easier to handle, more flexible and won’t scrape the installers hands like a cheese grater. Working with this product does require some special techniques and skills. You have to use a better grade of tackstrip, sometimes architectural, and the tools used to cut the carpet must always be sharp. This backing is more challenging to move over the top of the pad and you may find that you have to use a higher quality seaming tape to make the seams. But these are all things that should be done with all carpet installations. Actually, what I like about this product is that it forces you to give the consumer a better installation. You also get excellent assistance to help you work with and install this product and they have a video that shows how.

In my opinion, there’s no reason why you can’t get any carpet to lay flat if you understand what will make them wrinkle. Whether you’re glueing the carpet direct or stretching it in there are techniques and components of installation that will minimize, prevent or completely eliminate any problem you may have experienced in the past. As I said, if you experience problems with a particular manufacturer and they are not resolved to your satisfaction, then you should shop elsewhere. Again, you have to make sure it’s not you or your installers causing the problem, without question, before you start complaining. Most of the time there’s some monetary reason, real or imagined, that is behind many of the problems generated in the industry.

All the big guys are trying to be better, they don’t want to have problems that cost them money any more than you do. Big or small, they all have to work harder to be better, not just low cost producers. When there is technogy available to eliminate some of your biggest complaints you have to be willing to take advantage of it, even if you have to spend a little more, it’s worth it, isn’t it?