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Fuzzing Should Self CorrectThis report was done for the carpet mill.THE CARPETFIBER/ ID METHOD: Nylon-Chemical FIBER HUE: Blue/Green CONSTRUCTION: Tufted Cut Loop YARN STYLE: Saxony SQUARE YARDAGE: 72 BACK SYSTEM: Conventional Tufted PRIMARY BACKING: Polypropylene SECONDARY BACKING: Polypropylene THE INSTALLATION LOCATION TYPE: Residential METHOD: Stretch-In CUSHION: 1/2 Inch Rebond 4 Lb./Sq. Ft. SUBFLOOR: HardWood AREA INSTALLED: Living-Room, Hallway, & Two Bedrooms USE & MAINTENANCE INFORMATION AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION LITERATURE RECEIVED WITH PURCHASE: None Reported TEMPERATURE: 74°F - 23.3° C RH 33% ADULTS: 3 - CHILDREN: 4 - PET(S): 0 DO THEY SMOKE? Yes SPOTTING AGENTS: None Reported VACUUM/FREQUENCY: Upright Daily ENTRY-MATS? See Report SOIL: Slightly Soiled HEATING TYPE: Floor Unit Gas COOLING TYPE: None CLEANING: Never Been Cleaned REASON FOR COMMISSION To determine the reason for the fuzzing. THE REPORT Site Conditions and Geographical Information The carpet was located in the claimant’s free standing single story house. This house was located in a residential neighborhood in the Los Angeles Basin eight miles from the Pacific Ocean. The house was well maintained and was owner occupied at the time of the inspection. BACKGROUND INFORMATION MADE TO THE INSPECTOR The claimant noticed an excessive amount of carpet fuzz after the carpet was vacuumed. Concern was heightened when the children began to place fiber in their mouths. DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM AREA BY THIS INSPECTOR One half inch loose fuzz was noted in the trafficked areas of the installation. The heaviest problems were located in the living-room. A slight amount of fuzz was still attached to the carpet. ON-LOCATION FIELD TESTING The claimant’s vacuum cleaner was inspected and the setting on the brush was set for high pile. The bag was 1/4 full. There were no burrs on the head. There were beater bars on the head and the brush looked worn. An ultra-violet light was shone throughout the installation. The result of this test revealed no reflections. Numerous moisture tests were performed using a Delmhorst Moisture Sensor. The results of these tests revealed that there were no readings. THE ISSUE OF THIS REPORT The question that I have been asked to address is: what has caused the carpet to fuzz? GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATING THE ISSUE Fuzzing, and Shedding can be caused by 1. Mill defects that can include:
2. improper vacuuming of the carpet 3. excessive foot traffic DEFINITIONS According to the IICRC FLOOR COVER REFERENCE GUIDE GLOSSARY fuzzing is defined as the following: fuzzing - Hairy appearance on a carpet's surface caused by wild fibers or slack yarn twist; or by fibers slipping out of the yarn (especially staple) as a result of routine service or cleaning. Carpet of continuous filament yarn is fuzzed by filaments snagging and breaking. It is corrected by shearing during manufacture, or by a carpet technician using a device called a micro-shear. THE INSPECTOR'S ANALYSIS · The moisture test revealed that there was no severe over wetting of the carpet. · The ultra-violet light test indicates that other chemicals such as industrial strength detergents were not present. Some loose fiber that is one quarter to one half inch long is indicative of tufted-staple-yarn and is not considered a defect in manufacturing on new carpet. The cause is from sheared ends that did not get encapsulated into the latex. Normally this condition should decrease or cease within three to six months with normal usage and maintenance. If the condition continues then there may be a problem with: · latex penetration inherent in manufacturing · improper maintenance inherent in vacuuming · improper usage, such as excessive foot traffic This carpet should be given another three months of observations to see if the problem continues. If it does then a replacement of the vacuum cleaner brush and laboratory test of latex penetration should be performed. CONCLUSION Shedding in the carpet in question was normal and should self correcting in time. |