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Fuzzing from a Knee-KickerThis report was done for the carpet mill.THE CLAIM STATISTICS INSPECTOR WAS CONTACTED ON: 12/6/96 INSPECTOR WAS RETAINED ON: 12/6/96 DATE INSPECTED: 12/16/96 DATE WRITTEN: 12/23/96 PROBLEM REPORTED: Fuzzing PROBLEM FOUND: Loss of Twist WAS A DIAGRAM MADE?: No SAMPLES FROM INSPECTION: Carpet PERSONS PRESENT: Inspector & Claimant
THE CARPET MANUFACTURER: Tuftex Industries STYLE NAME & NUMBER: Marquis COLOR NAME & NUMBER: 253 FIBER/ ID METHOD: Nylon-Chemical FIBER HUE: Off White CONSTRUCTION: Tufted Cut Loop YARN STYLE: Frieze SQUARE YARDAGE: 144 BACK SYSTEM: Conventional Tufted PRIMARY BACKING: Polypropylene SECONDARY BACKING: Polypropylene
THE INSTALLATION LOCATION TYPE: Residential DATE INSTALLED: 10/1/96 METHOD: Stretch-In CUSHION: 7/16 Inch Rebond 5.5 Lb./Sq. Ft. SUBFLOOR: Concrete on the First Level, Plywood on the Second Level. AREA INSTALLED: Stairs, Upstairs Hallway, and 4 Bedrooms
USE & MAINTENANCE INFORMATION AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION LITERATURE RECEIVED WITH PURCHASE: Just an Invoice TEMPERATURE: 72°F - 22.2° C RH 60% ADULTS: 2 - CHILDREN: 2 - PET(S): 0 DO THEY SMOKE? No SPOTTING AGENTS: None Reported VACUUM/FREQUENCY: Hoover Upright Monthly ENTRY-MATS: Yes SOIL: Occasional Spot HEATING TYPE: Central Force Air Gas COOLING TYPE: None CLEANING: Never Been Cleaned
INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSPECTION Determine a cause for the fuzzing in the carpet in question.
THE REPORT Site Conditions and Geographical Information The carpet was laid in the claimant's free standing, two story house located in a residential neighborhood on the western edge of coastal Orange County near some Foot Hills. The house was well maintained and was owner occupied at the time of the inspection.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION MADE TO THE INSPECTOR The carpet was selected when the claimant was purchasing and moving into this house. The dealer reported that nothing was wrong with the carpet during the installation. The claimant said that fuzzy spots were noticed two days after the installation before any kind of maintenance was started. As time continued, more and more spots were noticed. A desire to purchase more carpet was made due to a dislike of the hard surface, but a desire to know what was going on with the present carpet was requested
DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM AREA BY THIS INSPECTOR Approximately 25 fuzzy spots were noticed throughout the installation and were formally found close to the baseboard and on the stairs and the upstairs landing. The sizes of these areas measured from approximately two inches to seven. The shapes were either three to four inches irregular-shape-circular to rectangular. Rectangular shapes were predominate. Upon closer investigation, the yarns had suffered a loss of twist. The loss of twist varied from just the tips to the entire yarn, but most was affected mainly on the tips. There was no unusual hand or texture to the affected areas. There were no smells on the affected areas. The secondary had oblong-marks in the mesh that indicates that the carpet was power-stretched. Loose yarns were not noticed next to the base-board. The vacuum cleaner was inspected and was found to be in good working order. The brush was soft, the belt was set for the proper rotation of the beater-bar, and the bag was empty.
ON-LOCATION FIELD TESTING Numerous moisture tests were performed using a Delmhorst Moisture Sensor. The results of these tests were negative. An ultra-violet light was shone throughout the installation. The result of this test revealed that there were no reflections. A carpet stretch test was performed. The test involved a professional opinion by the inspector to determine whether a power stretcher was used on the installation. The industry standard is drum tight. The carpet was lifted off its tackless strip in the livingroom. Holes made by the tackless strip nails were round, not elliptical indicating that proper power stretching had not been done. A sample of the claimant's cushion was weighed by the inspector to determine the cushion density. This test consisted of weighing a one foot square of the cushion. The cushion height was divided into one foot and then multiplied by the weight. This test was performed on an electron scale from Acculab, model number: V-333. This device is accurate to .1 grams. The results of this test showed a five and a half pound density of the cushion. An attempt to recreate the problem by aggravating the yarn was attempted with a brush. Little distortion was made. Another attempt with a knee kicker was made without extending the teeth of the kicker. This attempt untwisted the yarn.
THE ISSUE OF THIS REPORT The question that I have been asked to address is: what caused the fuzzy appearance in the spots in question?
GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATING THE ISSUE Bearding, Fuzzing, and Shedding can be caused by
INDUSTRY STANDARDS, PRACTICES & DEFINITIONS According to the FLOOR COVER DICTIONARY, the follow definition is given:
Knee-Kicker Tears - First of all, it is not recommended that any carpet be installed using a knee-kicker. This tool was designed to aid the installer in positioning the carpet and as a starting tool. When you see knee-kicker tears, they will usually be around the perimeter of the wall. Another damage a knee-kicker will cause is fuzzy areas on the surface due to the installer using the wrong head. All knee-kickers are equipped with a "nap-grip" and long pins. The pins are to be used on cut pile and cut loops. The "nap-grip" is used on all loop piles.
Pilling and Fuzzing (Loop Pile Only) - This condition will appears on loop pile filament products as a beard or fuzz on the surface. It is caused by improper encapsulation of the yarn bundle with latex. This then allows the individual filaments to slip and come to the surface. Since these filaments are continuous they will not break loose and thereby gives the fuzzy appearance."
THE INSPECTOR'S ANALYSIS Two adults and two kids do not constitute excessive usage in the inspector’s opinion. If the claimant had pets such as a cat, then there could some possibility of usage and maintenance making this problem. The vacuum cleaner in this case is not a likely candidate. Mill defects in fuzzing or loss of twist show up after considerable foot traffic before any problem is revealed. Issues of twist loss from improper heat setting also show up in trafficked areas after the carpet has received some wear. The same is true for most installation errors where incorrect cushion thickness and/or density have been used and there was a lack of power-stretching. However, one likely possible installation error could be that the installer’s knee kicker was set on this Frieze carpet with only the short teeth. Long pins are normally required for installing cut-pile carpet. Supporting this theory is the location and time frame for the fuzzing. In addition, if appears that the stretching of the carpet was done without the aid of a power stretcher as required by standards.
CONCLUSION Based upon background information, observations, and field-testing done at the time of the inspection, it is the inspector’s professional opinion that the fuzzing is due to installation errors. |