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Buckling Probably from Poor LatexThis report was written for a carpet mill.THE CARPET FIBER/ ID METHOD: Nylon COLOR: Beige CONSTRUCTION: Tufted Cut Loop STYLE: Frieze SQUARE YARDAGE: 220 BACK SYSTEM: Conventional Tufted PRIMARY BACKING: Polypropylene SECONDARY BACKING: Polypropylene THE INSTALLATION TYPE OF SITE: Residential METHOD: Stretch-In CUSHION: 1/2 Inch Rebond 6 Lb./Sq. Ft. SUBFLOOR: Slab AREA INSTALLED: Living-Room, Family-room, Dining-Room, Hallway, & Bedrooms USE & MAINTENANCE INFORMATION AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION LITERATURE RECEIVED WITH PURCHASE: None Reported TEMPERATURE: 68.1°F - 20.0° C RELATIVE HUMIDITY: 53% ADULTS: 4 - CHILDREN: 0 - PET(S): 1 - Dog SPOTTING AGENTS: None Reported VACUUM TYPE: Upright FREQUENCY: Weekly ENTRY MATS: Yes CONDITION of THE CARPET: See Report SOIL: None Noticed HEATING TYPE: Central Force Air Gas COOLING TYPE: Central - Electric CLEANING: Never Been Cleaned REASON FOR COMMISSION The carpet has reportedly rippled. THE REPORT Site Conditions and Geographical Information The carpets were located in the claimant’s free standing single story house. This house was located in a residential neighborhood on the southern edge of the San Fernando Valley. The house was well maintained and was owner occupied at the time of the inspection. BACKGROUND INFORMATION MADE TO THE INSPECTOR The old carpet was in place for 21 one years with no problems. The new carpet on the other hand started to buckle six months after the installation. The dealer made two trips to re-stretch; the first time in the dining-room and family-room and the second time in the living-room. All of the furniture was reportedly moved on the first visit but, the claimant was unsure about the second trip. The repairs did not have a lasting effect. The buckling came back. DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM AREA BY THIS INSPECTOR Slight buckling was noticed going into the family-room from the living-room along the door’s edge. In the dining-room, buckling was noticed near and around the China Cabinets and in the master-bedroom near the edges of the bed. No other problems were noticed including pulled or loose yarns, crushing, matting, or differences in size, hue, twist, or bulk of the yarns. The carpet was lifted up in the living-room and dining-room and the edge of the carpet was powdery. The secondary-backing had evidence of stretch-marks where the tackless-strip held the carpet. ON-LOCATION FIELD TESTING A carpet awl was used to probe the carpet in question. These probes were done randomly throughout the carpet in question. This test was done to determine the strength of the lamination in the backing. This was also performed to compare the unused areas with the trafficked areas. There result of this test were voids in the latex. Fifteen Tuftbind Tests were performed over a random area. The results were as follows:
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. The result of this test revealed that there were no reflections. An ultra-violet light was shone to find evidence that seaming adhesive was used on the cut edges. No seaming adhesive was noted as evidenced in photograph number one THE ISSUE OF THIS REPORT The question that I have been asked to address is: what caused the carpet to from ridges? GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATING THE ISSUE Ridges Can be Caused By: 1. problems in the latex 2. improper installations · lack of power stretching · improper carpet cushion 3. excessive foot or mechanical traffic or improper maintenance INDUSTRY STANDARDS, PRACTICES & DEFINITIONS According to the IICRC FIELD REFERENCE GUIDE it says this about ripples: ripples - A condition which results when carpet backing materials (primarily synthetics) are improperly installed (not power stretched), or when they relax and allow carpet to expand, particularly during periods of high humidity. Ripples also may be caused by abnormal types of traffic, excessively thick cushion, inadequate condition prior to installation, and delamination. Some rippling may be correctable with professional restretching techniques. The DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING FEDERAL HOUSING COMMISSIONER sets the standards for minimum tuft-bind called UM44D. For cut-looped carpet this standard is 48 ounces or (3 pounds); for looped carpet the standard is 100 ounces or 6.25 pounds. THE INSPECTOR'S ANALYSIS TEST RESULTS · The tuft-bind test indicates that the latex in the carpet’s backing is adequate to meet FHA Standards. · The ultra-violet light test indicates that other chemicals such as industrial strength detergents were not present. · The moisture test revealed that there was no severe over wetting of the carpet. The installation errors from the lack of seaming adhesive reveals itself in the form of frayed yarns, therefore it is not believed that these two faults are factors in the buckling. Powdery latex is an evidence of excessive filler or clay in the latex/clay mix. If this is the case, then the carpet would not have the elastic characteristics necessary to stay taunt next to the tackless strip. No standards exist regarding clay/latex mixtures. CONCLUSION The conclusion will have to be based upon the latex content testing. |