Our first problem was posed by a dealer who asked if carpet cushion would have any affect on how a particular carpet would perform- in this case, relative to appearance retention. The complaint was the carpet flattening out and looking worn. The answer is the cushion will indeed affect the performance of the carpet. The Carpet and Rug Institute and the Carpet Cushion Council, in CRI-105, recommend a maximum thickness of 7/16-inch for residential applications, and in no case should the thickness exceed 3/4-inch. There is no recommendation or standard for cushion density.

In my opinion, the cushion should not exceed 3/8-inch in thickness and should have a density of at least 8 pounds. This will help eliminate buckles and wrinkles and truly enhance the carpet's performance.

Cushion does assist in carpet performance. Using the right cushion is like putting a good suspension system under the carpet. However, if the carpet itself is incapable of performing in its environment because it was mis-specified or incorrectly recommended, the cushion is not going to prevent it from failing to perform.

Another twist in this claim is the carpet was submitted to the manufacturer for testing. It conducted a bundle-wrap test, encapsulation (which is the same thing because bundle wrap in fact encapsulates the yarn) and tuft bind. None of these tests has anything to do with the carpet flattening out or looking worn. The correct tests would have been for appearance retention.

Shedding

Shedding is a term used to describe fiber coming from the surface of a carpet. It is most often associated with a staple-yarn product, where the yarn is spun using short lengths of fiber (staple). Think of wool being spun into yarn. In this claim a consumer is experiencing fibers coming from her carpet, which is filling and clogging her vacuum.

Shedding should subside in a reasonable period of time- a year. However, shedding will continue to diminish during this time period if the yarn is processed properly and anchored securely, the more the carpet is vacuumed. If carpet fiber continues to fill the vacuum and clog it repeatedly, this indicates there is a finishing problem with the flooring, which is a defect. This condition can exist with staple or continuous filament yarns when the fiber is not securely anchored in the carpet. This is one of the most denied claims in the industry. No matter how much we fight this particular claim, manufacturers continue to deny it. They'll tell you shedding is normal and will subside, or there is no finishing problem with the carpet.

Know this: If a carpet continues to release fiber over a year in volumes high enough to clog a vacuum cleaner and fill the bag, that carpet is defective. This can be irrefutably proven, but getting the mill to accept the claim lately is nearly impossible. This is a condition that can be prevented and a claim that can be eliminated.

Colorfastness

If a carpet color is affected by the influence of UV light, ozone or oxides of nitrogen in a relatively short period of time, the carpet is defective. Nothing anyone says about it will change the facts of science, which prove this. These are three colorfastness conditions all carpets must comply with to be merchantable for service. Color fading in anything is normal over a reasonable period of time, but if it occurs on a newer carpet it indicates a problem.

If you have problems like these or others with any flooring material call us. We're the experts in floor covering problems, and we'll tell you the truth.