I just received an interesting letter from a reader disgruntled about my column titled “Bearding Wool Berber and Crush Marks.” ( FCNews, May 15/22) The reader, whose letter was sent anonymously, first states that I don’t respond to letters written on letter heads. Except for one individual to whom I stopped responding, I have never not responded to any communication, whether by phone, fax, letter or e-mail. The author of this letter wants my response in FCN so we’ll give him his wish.

WOOL BERBER

The author states that, “I am not a fan of yours and find many issues you bring up in your column are too tainted against manufacturers, which I find should not be the case.” Well, I do have a tendency to chastise mills about things like fuzzing, pilling, delamination, streaks, side match shade variations, carpet that won’t hold a stretch and other compromises in the structural integrity of the product, since mills create those problems. Who should be blamed? The installer? If you spend any time with technical or claims people in this industry, you’ll know this is fact not fiction; to think otherwise is to not understand the product or the industry.

The author goes on to say, “ I feel you have an obligation to FULLY address issues in your publications. You did not do so in this column .” He states that perhaps the dealer mis-specified the product and the traffic may have exceeded the bearding resistance strength of the wool carpet. I plead ignorance here. I don’t know, nor have I ever heard of bearding resistance strength of wool carpet.

SHEDDING

Making a wool berber carpet, is a challenge, since the staple fiber will beard and shed and, if not finished properly, will fuzz extraordinarily. However, the carpet is this case was not abused nor used in high traffic. By the way, I did say, “‘For reasons like these you have to make a greater effort to understand the products you’re selling, their normal characteristics and how to address and resolve any problems you have, quickly and effectively.”

The author states I made no mention of the pad. That’s right, I didn’t. The pad has no bearing on the structural integrity of the carpet relative to finishing. Further, the writer states I made no mention of the vacuum and it’s possible part in this. That’s because it was not part of the problem.

When I write this column, I know what I’m writing about and I give fact relative to the issue. It is often concise due to space, but I don’t short change my readers. The vacuum cleaner was never an issue.

The author continues, “Regarding the crush bands in nylon carpet, you seem to give your readers the idea that crush bands of any degree can be successfully removed. Depending upon construction, especially related to gauge, stitch rate, and twist level, roll crush bands, should be addressed by steaming and pileating, JUST the bands, not the carpet in between the bands, since overall steaming and pileating, can result in the bands always being able to be seen, since the uncrushed pile, will become distorted to a different degree.”

GAUGE STITCH RATE

The gauge, stitch rate and twist level have nothing to do with a roll crush mark coming out. Steam and heat will penetrate all tufted carpet with an open, permeable back. We’ve never serviced a nylon carpet for roll crush marks or indentations which did not respond. Didn’t I say in the column to only steam the crush marks and groom them, which is pileating?

The author says I, “should have addressed other issues regarding the two carpets in the column instead of putting forth the perception that the problems are manufacturing related, rather than perhaps improper specification and/or improper service, after, installation.” “By the way, stop ending many of your sentences with prepositions. That is bad English.” Signed, ‘Have a nice day!’

Gee, sorry you didn’t like the column. I think you misread it, misinterpreted it and read more into it than was there. I read it over three times and it answers all the pertinent issues, even some of those you questioned. The information is complete, relative to the issue being discussed and is presented in short, concise form that is useful to most readers.

I certainly won’t be lured into disparaging you in my column. Your own words have accomplished that quite nicely themselves.