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Browning From too Long Drying

The report was done for the carpet cleaner who was found at fault.

PROBLEM REPORTED

The carpet has reportedly resoiled.

SITE CONDITIONS

This is a freestanding, owner-occupied, single-story house built sometime in the 40s or 50s along with other similar houses in a residential subdivision. This home was neat and orderly and the condition of the house appeared to be good; a professional housekeep was on duty. This subdivision was located approximately four miles inland from the Pacific Ocean, and about two miles from the LAX Airport.

THE CLAIM HISTORY

According to the claimant the carpet in question was cleaned on 12/7/94. The reason for the cleaning was for general soiling. According to the claimant, he has had his carpets cleaned on an annual basis since he purchased the carpet. The claimant also reported that proper procedures were implemented to accelerate drying.
The day after the carpet in question was cleaned, the Claimant noticed brown stains forming. According to the claimant, the carpet did not dry until 48 hours after the cleaning.

OBSERVATIONS

An inspection lamp was shone throughout the installation. The brown stains were more noticeable under intense light. The affected areas were primarily confined to the traffic areas. Upon closer inspection, it was noticed that the yarns were more affected at the tips.

TESTING

Numerous moisture tests were performed using a Delmhorst Moisture Sensor. All moisture readings were very dry and there was no odor noticed.
An ultra-violet light was shone throughout the installation. This tool draws a yellow reflection from most urine stains and a blue or lavender reflection from detergents with optical brightening agents. A light blue reflection could be observed. Numerous pH tests were taken using a pHep + Pen by Hanna®. This device is accurate to ± 0.1 and was calibrated with a laboratory testing solution immediately before these tests were made. All tests were performed using distilled water. The test results were as follows:
Effected Areas & Non-effective Areas    7.1    7.1     7.1    6.8    7.1    Ave. 7.04
A General Spotting Agent by Groom Industries called Perky Spotter® was applied to the affected area. This is non-toxic and removes common stains. The product was applied to a towel and the towel was blotted on to the affected area. The section that was tested got brighter in appearance.

THE ISSUE

The question that I have been asked to address is: what caused the appearance of the carpet to diminish too quickly at the last cleaning?

GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATING THE ISSUE

Browning conditions can occur when:
1. Wool or natural fibers has been cleaned with too much alkalinity
2. Soiling conditions have been too excessive for the cleaning procedure
3. There has been excess wetting or improper drying
4. When staining material has been present in the cleaning procedure.

STANDARDS & DEFINITIONS

The Standard for Carpet Cleaning S001-1994 is published by the INSTITUTE OF INSPECTIONS, CLEANING and RESTORATION CERTIFICATION at the recommendation of the FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY. These service standards are for professional cleaning and are recognized by nearly all carpet mills and carpet cleaning associations.
RESOILING
Resoiling is unacceptable and too rapid when a carpet stays wet for longer than 24 hour after cleaning. The standard for carpet cleaning S001-1991 states in section 5 page 13 “the cleaning job is not complete until provisions are made to return carpet to its intended use within 1-24 hours. Failure of the professional to implement drying procedures could result in a variety of after-cleaning problems such as: rapid resoiling, odor, microorganism development, and ultimately, lamination and dye problems."

There is a condition that is referred to as WICKING. It is defined in the Flooring Covering Dictionary as “Dispersing or spreading of moisture or liquid through a given area, vertically or horizontally; capillary action in material.” A spot may appear after cleaning if a substance has penetrated through the carpet back. This substance would then act as a bridge between the face yarns and polypropylene backing on the underside of the carpet.

ANALYSIS

Browning situations are generally either   cellulose from jute backings or wicking problems from improper drying. Since this is an all synthetic carpet there can be no cellulose material to make cellulose browning; wicking type browning are always easy to correct. To prevent this problem from happen in the future, better prevacuuming procedures with increase air circulation after cleaning are recommended.

CONCLUSION

Based upon a professional opinion, filed testing, and the S001 Cleaning Standards, browsing in the carpet in question was due to overwetting and wicking. This problem is correctable.

RECOMMENDATION

A recleaning with a truckmounted unit is recommended. The cleaning STANDARDS should be followed and moisture should be kept to a minimum. The claimant has indicated that he might be interested in purchasing a suitable protectant upon recleaning.