Twist Loss from Cable Yarn
This report was done for the general contractor and Cable yarn is 'Singles Yarn' with a slight twist. It is very fat and is not heat set. This yarn look like a Berber at first, but after a small water damage, it stuck up and loss all of its twist.
THE CARPET
MANUFACTURER: European
NUMBER on BACKING: IBPE 3631
FIBER/ ID METHOD: Wool-Burn
COLOR: White
CONSTRUCTION: Tufted Cut Loop
STYLE: Frieze
BACK SYSTEM: Conventional Tufted
PRIMARY BACKING: Polypropylene
SECONDARY BACKING: Polypropylene
THE INSTALLATION
TYPE OF SITE: Residential
DATE INSTALLED: 6/12/95
METHOD: Stretch-In
SUBFLOOR: Concrete
AREA INSTALLED: Whole House
USE & MAINTENANCE INFORMATION AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION
LITERATURE RECEIVED WITH PURCHASE:
ADULTS: 2 CHILDREN: 0 PETS: 1
TYPE OF PET(s): Dog
VACUUM TYPE: Not Determined
DO THEY SMOKE?
ENTRY MATS: Yes
CONDITION of THE CARPET: Good
SOIL: None Noticeable
HEATING TYPE: Central Force Air Gas
COOLING TYPE: Central - Electric
CLEANING: See Report
REASON FOR COMMISSION
The claimant has reported an appearance problem.
THE REPORT
Geographical Background Information
This free standing, two-story house is located on the beach just north of Malibu. The condition and maintenance of the house is excellent.
THE CLAIM HISTORY
The house in question has just undergone remodeling The carpet in the bar area of the theater addition was installed as part of a redecorating effort. Also, an icemaker which had a sump pump was installed in the same area. This sump-pump failed causing the bar area to flood.
The carpet was reportedly purchased directly by the homeowner at $95.00 per yard. The carpet mill was allegedly European.
A carpet cleaing company was commissioned to perform ‘Water-Damage-Services’. The water damage was performed using a ‘Truckmounted Carpet Cleaning Machine’. Afterwards, the carpet did not look the same.
DETAIL PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION BY THE INSPECTOR
The carpet in question has the appearance of a ‘Berber’ carpet, but it is a ‘Frieze’. The large-fat single ply yarns are bent downward. The yarn is a ‘Cable Yarn’ with a fatter than normal ‘Denier’.
There is a notable loss of twist, with no difference in hue. The affected area is
approximately ten square feet. There is a similar problem also on the steps of the stairs.
In the affected area they are frayed. The ends are split apart.
FIELD TESTING
The twist of the yarn was measured at one turn per inch.
THE ISSUE OF THIS REPORT
The question that I have been asked to address is: what factors have led to the change of appearance in this carpet.?
CONDITIONS THAT CAN CAUSE THE PROBLEM
Appearance problems can be caused by
1. staining materials that change the hue of the fiber
2. difference in texture
INDUSTRY STANDARDS, PRACTICES & DEFINITIONS
Wool is a durable material that has been used for centuries in making rugs. It does not crush easily. It has excellent resiliency. It is also susceptible to various types of stains.
According to many reference materials, a wool fiber can be bent back upon itself more than 20,000 times without breaking. Wool has remarkable tensile strength and resiliency. Wool fiber grows permanently crimped, like powerful springs. This permits each fiber to return instantly to its natural position after stretching. Wool can also be stretched up to 40% of its original length without breaking.
According to the FLOOR COVERING DICTIONARY twist is defined by the following:
twist - The number of turns per inch and direction of twist of either the single or piles around the axis of yarn. Twist direction is either right or left handed, also called "Z" or "S" twist retention. Generally, spun yarns require more twist than filament yarns for good performance. For commercial cut-pile carpet, the recommended twist rate should be a minimum of 4.5 TPI, while spun yarns should have a minimum of 4.75 TPI. see "S" and "Z" twist (torque).
TPI is defined by:
turns (twists) per inch (TPI) - The number of times two or more yarns have been piled in an inch of length. Also known as input ply twist.
turns per tuft - The number of twists in the pile yarn above the primary backing. This is a more accurate way of measuring relative twist level in cut pile carpet. Generally, the more turns per tuft, the better the carpet performance in terms of appearance retention.
According to the FLOORING COVERING DICTIONARY it says this about CABLE YARN:
A yarn made with a cable twist resulting in a strong, regular yarn. Cable twist is a twist construction with each successive twist in the direction opposite of the preceding test, E.G., S/Z/S or Z/S/Z.
The lack of twist and pile distortion has been written about in various trade journal. Two such articles are included as a supplement to this report.
ANALYSIS AND SUMMERY
Based upon this inspector’s observation, the appearance problem in this carpet is due to texture changes, not hue difference. Texture difference does not normally occur because of water damage. During such procedure, the ‘Truckmounted Carpet Cleaning Machine’ generally utilizes only vacuum. In this case a twelve inch smooth piece of Stainless Steel would slide across the carpet. This alone is not sufficient to cause pile distortion.
The real culprit here is an unfortunate design characteristic. Whereas the standard for twist on cut-pile carpet are four and one half turn per inch, this carpet yarn has approximately only one. Also the very nature of wool is that it does not heat set in the same way as a synthetic fiber. Although the fiber is ‘naturally crimped’, twisting the yarn is something that depends upon the amount of force and the denier of the fiber. The finer the denier the better the yarn will twist. This yarn has a ‘fatter than normal’ denier. Also, even though the yarn will ‘wear like iron’, its appearance will be very unforgiving of every problem acquired.
Although the supplementary articles are about rugs, the principles are true for carpets. The key elements that apply to this situation are: lack of twist plus wet cleaning resulting in pile distortion.
In summary the carpet will become fuzzy with normal recommended cleaning and normal wear.
CONCLUSION
The appearance differences are due to texture change that are inherent in its design.