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Faded But Passed All Lab TestThis was a consumer inspection who did get some money from the manufacturer.THE CARPETFIBER/ ID METHOD: Nylon-Chemical COLOR: Raspberry CONSTRUCTION: Tufted Cut Loop STYLE: Saxony Plush SQUARE YARDAGE: 451 BACK SYSTEM: Conventional Tufted PRIMARY BACKING: Polypropylene SECONDARY BACKING: Polypropylene THE INSTALLATION TYPE OF SITE: Residential DATE INSTALLED: 2/9/90 METHOD: Stretch-In CUSHION: 7/16 Inch Rebond 8 Lb./Sq.Ft. SUBFLOOR: Concrete on the First Level, Ply-wood on the Second Level AREA INSTALLED: Whole House Except Kitchen USE & MAINTENANCE INFORMATION AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION LITERATURE RECEIVED WITH PURCHASE: ADULTS: 2 CHILDREN: 2 PETS: 2 TYPE OF PET(s): Dog & Cat TEMPERATURE: 76.0°F - 24.4° C RELATIVE HUMIDITY: 51% VACUUM TYPE: Canister FREQUENCY: Weekly DO THEY SMOKE? No ENTRY MATS: Yes CONDITION of THE CARPET: Poor SOIL: Slightly Soiled HEATING TYPE: Central Force Air Gas COOLING TYPE: Central - Electric HOME SPOTTING AGENTS: See Report CLEANING: Professional METHOD: Steam Cleaning TYPE OF CHEMICAL: Not Available DATE LAST CLEAN: 2/21/92 TREATMENTS APPLIED: None REASON FOR COMMISSION The carpet has faded. THE REPORT Geographical Background Information The carpet in question is located in the claimant’s dwelling which is a large two story house in a residential neighborhood, located in the hills on the eastern edge of the Los Angeles basin. The condition and maintenance of the house and of the neighborhood is excellent. THE CLAIM HISTORY ACCORDING TO THE CLAIMANT The color loss problem was first noticed three years after the installation was made. At first it was found around windows. Later it was taking place throughout the installation. OBSERVATIONS BY THE INSPECTOR The color loss had taken place near windows, at the edges of furniture and walls. It is more pronounced on the east side of the house than the west. It was most noticeable in the den in the front of the house located on the north-east corner on the first level. In the dining-room located on the north West corner, the color loss conforms to the shape of the drapery and they touch the floor. IN FIELD AND LABORATORY TESTING FIELD TESTING 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 foreign substances in the carpet. Numerous moisture tests were performed using a Delmhorst Moisture Sensor. The results of these tests revealed that there was one small spot in the dining room that had a slight moisture reading. An AATCC 129 COLORFASTNESS TO LIGHT (OZONE) was performed at Professional Testing Laboratories Inc. In Dalton Georgia. The results of this test after 40 hours had a rating of 4, slightly changed. An AATCC 164 COLORFASTNESS TO LIGHT (OXIDES OF NITROGEN) was performed at Professional Testing Laboratories Inc. In Dalton Georgia. The results of this test after 40 hours had a rating of 4, slightly changed. THE ISSUE OF THIS REPORT The question that I have been asked to address is whether the fading is due to defects in manufacturing. CONDITIONS THAT CAN CAUSE THE PROBLEM Color loss problems can occur when:
INDUSTRY STANDARDS, PRACTICES & DEFINITIONS According to the FLOOR COVERING DICTIONARY it says this about Color Loss: FADING - Loss of color. Caused by actinic radiation such as sunlight or artificial light, atmospheric gases including ozone, nitric oxide, and hydrogen sulfite, cleaning and bleaching chemicals such as sodium hypochlorite, and other household and industrial products, chlorine chemicals or swimming pools, and other factors. Commercial installations in areas where such exposures occur require extreme care in selection of colorfast carpet. All carpet will fade under certain conditions. The greatest sun fade potential is a Southwest exposure while the least is a Northwest or North exposure. Unprotected carpet, those in front of windows without drapes, in a Southwest exposure can show very noticeable color loss after as little as 6 months. Examples: A brown carpet will fade to light green in ,areas where it receives direct sunlight because the color component most severely affected is red. A green carpet will fade to yellow because color component most affected by the direct sunlight is blue. SUMMARY This inspector’s issue was to determine the cause of color loss. A loss from improper maintenance or cleaning had not contributed to the problem at the time of the inspection. This is based upon the pH, moisture, and ultra-violet tests that were conducted in the field. However, some loss was experienced by both laboratory tests. Both tests had a rating of four, that assures no problems in most cases. A five rating would mean, that there was no color loss. Thus, some loss was experienced from each of the tests. Also according to the observations, the fading had been affected by:
Since most of the loss has taken place on the north-east side of the house, sunlight has been the weakest villain; the loss near the edges of furniture and wall indicate the results of oxides of nitrogen and sulfur; and ozone has been the strongest factor in the claimant’s problem. The rating system used by Professional Testing Laboratories is designed to assure no color loss problems for the majority of home-owners. The location of this dwelling is a challenge to the industry based upon Southern California atmospheric condition and the location of the house on a hill. Still most homes do not experience this degree of loss in five years. This carpet has faded to the point of needing replacement as evidence by the photographs. This homeowner has made it clear that this claim would not be resolved easily. CONCLUSION Based upon background information, observations, and laboratory testing done at the time of the inspection, it is the inspector's professional opinion that the carpet has not faded from defects in manufacturing. |