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Fading Green to BlueThis inspection was done for a consumer and was unusual because the yellow dye was defective. This report is an example of fading to ultra-violet light which has a ASTM Standard.TYPE OF SITE: Residential METHOD: Stretch-In CUSHION: 7/16 Inch Waffle SUBFLOOR: Plywood AREA INSTALLED: Living-Room, Dining-Room, & Hallway USE & MAINTENANCE INFORMATION AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION LITERATURE RECEIVED WITH PURCHASE: Just An Invoice TEMPERATURE: 76.7°F - 24.8° C RELATIVE HUMIDITY: 69% ADULTS: 2 - CHILDREN: 3 - PET(S): 2 - Dogs DO THEY SMOKE? Yes SPOTTING AGENTS: Consumer Type VACUUM TYPE: Kenmore Canister Model 4.8 FREQUENCY: Four Or Five Times A Week ENTRY MATS: Yes CONDITION of THE CARPET: See Report SOIL: See Report HEATING TYPE: Wall Unit - Gas COOLING TYPE: None CLEANING: Professional METHOD: Steam Cleaning TYPE OF CHEMICAL: Not Reported DATE LAST CLEANED: Not Given TREATMENTS APPLIED: None Reported REASON FOR COMMISSION The carpet has reportedly discolored. THE REPORT Site Conditions and Geographical Information The carpet were located in the claimant’s free standing single story house. This house was located in a residential neighborhood on the western edge of the Los Angeles Basin 2.8 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 carpet was purchased as part of the claimant’s moving-in and remodeling effort and was selected for its hue and style. One year after the installation the carpet began to turn from green to blue. On September 3, 1996 Fiber Carpet Services performed an inspection that was commissioned by the dealer. As a result of this inspection, a letter from the dealer was sent to the commissioner of this report, declining the claim. No information was ever furnished that identified the manufacturer of the carpet. Thus the claimant commissioned this inspector to find the reason for the color loss and determine if it is within industry standards. DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM AREA BY THIS INSPECTOR Upon entering the living-room, the carpet appeared to be blue, not green. This discoloring was most pronounced near the back of the house on the south-side. In the hallway, the hue of the carpet was of the same green hue as the protected remnants. Upon splitting the yarns, only the tips of the yarns appeared to be affected with the blue hue. Upon moving the sofa in the living-room, the carpet was of a different green hue compared to the remnants. ON-LOCATION 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 reflections. Numerous moisture tests were performed using a Delmhorst Moisture Sensor. This test would indicate the presence of moisture in the area that was being tested. It is possible for water to be locked-up in salts compounds from residue from urine and other compounds long after the affected area has dried. Any recent/ previous overwetting of the carpet could also be found in the latex backing of a carpet with this device. The results of these tests revealed that there were no moisture readings. Distilled water was applied to surrounding areas in an attempt to make foam from agitating the wet yarn. None was made. Next, a feel test was made by feeling the wet yarn. The carpet had a texture of "just wet carpet" with no slippery or sticky feel. An AATCC 16E COLORFASTNESS TO LIGHT (XENON ARC) was performed at Professional Testing Laboratories Inc. In Dalton Georgia. The results of this test after 40 hours was a rating of three. THE ISSUE OF THIS REPORT The question that I have been asked to address is: what has caused the color change in this carpet? GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATING THE ISSUE Color changes can occur when: 1. sun light or in particular ultraviolet rays from the sun, affect the dye. 2. oxide of nitrogen and sulfur in the air common to the Southern California atmosphere, high efficient force air heating systems and other gas appliances react with carpet dye. 3. bleaches, oxidizing agents or other chemical residues have been applied to the face yarn. INDUSTRY STANDARDS, PRACTICES & DEFINITIONS According to the FEDERAL HOUSING AUTHORITY standard for carpet, UM 44C and UM 44D in Table 1 Minimum Carpet Requirements and Test Methods for Colorfastness to light (xenon arc) Gray Scale rating), The Value, Minimum is 4 (after 40 AATCC fading units). The Test Method is AATCC 16E2. CRI is The Carpet and Rug Institute of Dalton, Georgia. It is a national trade association representing the carpet and rug industry. Their membership makes-up 95% of all the carpet made in the United States. Their publications include standards for residential and commercial installation, areas of responsibility for manufacturers, dealers, and installers, and a manual for making claims with a carpet producer. According to the CARPET AND RUG INSTITUTE in their manual called CRI AREAS OF RESPONSIBLY it says this about the dealer’s responsibilities: DEALER 1. Disseminate complete product information to end users and installers as provided by manufacturers and distributors. Information should allow for proper selection and the appropriate use of carpet sold to include: *(A) traffic classification information (B) specific uncoded style information or specifications (C) uncoded dye lot sizes and roll sequence information *(D) complete carpet cushion specifications required for use with each traffic classification as specified in CRI 104 Standards for Installation of Textile Floorcovering Material (E) complete mill pattern tolerance information and pattern match policy (F) backing material or the destiny of any attached cushion used and pole direction of the carpet (G) complete information regarding mill applied soil, static or antimicrobial treatments (H) complete warranty information (I) carpet use and maintenance information to include information on certain household products that can cause permanent carpet damage which is not the responsibility of the manufacturer: 2. Be able to identify carpet sold as the following information: (A) roll number (B) uncoded dyelot number (C) style number (D) color (E) size (F) set or drop match and number of inches of pattern repeat (G) backing material or density of attached cushion (H) mill applied soil, static, or antimicrobial treatment. 3. Order specific dye lot specifications on large order: 4. Provide installers with complete manufacturer's installation instruction, to include shop drawings diagramming the location of all carpet panels, seams, edge moldings and other pertinent information: 5. Provide end user and installer with complete dealer claim policy and procedure: 6. Inspect incoming carpet shipments for carrier related damage and file claims, if necessary, within 15 working days of shipment: 7. Determine that carpet received is identical to that which was ordered: 8. Store carpet properly, never in excess of three (3) rolls in height: 9. Evaluate shelf life and rotate inventory so as to avoid roll crush: 10. Prior to shipment inspect carpet for visible defects: 11. Provide carpet cushion that is adequate for the traffic classification to which the installation will be subjected as specified in 12. Ensure that installers adhere to CRI installation procedure as specified in CRI 104 Standards for Installation of Textile Floorcovering Materials: 13. Assume responsibility for any portion of consumer warranty that exceeds manufacturer warranty: 14. Acknowledge and respond to complaints within 15 working days of notification. * denotes responsibilities which apply to commercial transactions only THE INSPECTOR'S ANALYSIS A green carpet is actually made of blue and yellow dyes. When a green carpet changes to blue there is a color loss of yellow dye. Thus the real issue is: what has caused a loss of yellow dye? Based upon the moisture and ultra-violet light tests, a loss from improper maintenance or cleaning had not contributed to the problem at the time of the inspection. The test done by Professional Testing Laboratories however, revealed a rating of three on a 40 hour colorfastness test. A five rating would mean that there was no color loss, a four would have still passed but a three is failing. Rejection letters on problems that are inherent in manufacturing normally come from the manufacturer. According to the background information, the maker of the carpet was unknown. Furthermore, according to the industry standards furnished in this report, much information should have been given so as to identify the carpet. CONCLUSION The color loss in the carpet in question is due to problems inherent in manufacturing and does not meet minimum FEDERAL HOUSING AUTHORITY standards for AATCC 16E COLORFASTNESS TO LIGHT (XENON ARC) based upon the observations made and on the independent testing at Professional Testing Laboratories. |