Let’s revisit two very pervasive installation problems in the industry especially as they relate to making seams in stretch in installations, that is those carpets installed using a separate cushion and tackstrip.

First is the issue of sealing seams to prevent the carpet edge from fraying or unraveling. Seam sealing is continually argued when there is a failure of the seamed edge of the carpet for any compromise whatsoever. It may be fraying or fuzzing at the seam, yarns zippering or running on looped continuous filament carpet or delamination of the secondary backing. An installer may argue, when blamed for one of these issues, that he, in fact, sealed the seams. There may also be evidence that a sealer was used but it may not have been applied correctly or adequately. Seam sealer should engage both the primary and secondary backing of the carpet and “lock” everything between those two points together. Most every seam sealer used is a water based latex which takes some time to dry and for that reason could slow the installation down a bit. In the installation business, time is money.

Second is the issue of seam peaking, which has been fought for many years with a variety of methods and techniques that have not always been successful. Wider seaming tapes, reinforced seaming tapes, taking the carpet seam apart and glueing the cushion and carpet down are some of the most common practices.

It took the creative mind of a working carpet installer to come up with a method and patented invention that effectively seals seam edges and eliminates seam peaking. This tool is the Peak Buster produced and distributed by Orcon. The Peak – Buster incorporates the use of an electric or butane fired glue gun with the patented Peak-Buster nozzle. The nozzle will effectively apply a bead of thermoplastic adhesive to the edges of the carpet, literally welding them together. There is also a UV tracer in the adhesive that will fluoresce under black light to check for its presence and application. This method is so effective at sealing carpet edges that it has been endorsed by the Carpet and Rug Institute. It has also been incorporated into the new CRI -104 and CRI-105, the standards for installation of commercial and residential textile floor covering materials, respectively.

When the Peak-Buster Carpet Edge Sealing System is used, which includes the glue gun, glue sticks, black light and center grooved seaming iron, it will effective eliminate seam peaking. Demonstrations of this system were being given at Surfaces 2005 to show how effectively and easily this system works. When employed the seam will not pull open, peak or be compromised in any way. I think this is a great idea and invention because seam peaking has been a thorn in the side of the installation community for years and now it can be successfully prevented. This system is easy to use and there’s no reason every installer and every retailer shouldn’t invest in it.

The number of claims generated for fraying and damaged seams, delamination and seam peaking, which are pervasive installation related problems, can be virtually eliminated. This will prevent capital and time losses for both the flooring dealer and the installer. When a system is available that will eliminate claims, increase profits and allow for the smooth operation of the business without the worry of alienating customers, why wouldn’t you take advantage of it?

Just so you know, Orcon doesn’t know I am writing this column and I’m not getting anything for it. What I’m getting is the satisfaction of telling you that now there’s a way to prevent a major source of claims and complaints available. That’s the purpose of this column, to let you know about problems, their causes and how to resolve and prevent them. I had heard about this system but not seen it. When it was demonstrated to me at Surfaces 2005 by Chris, the young man who works as an installer and invented the Peak-Buster tip, I was fascinated. You now have the ability to eliminate most seam related complaints that have plagued the industry for years and certainly cost every one of you hard earned profits.