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Matting & Crushing from CushionThis report was done for a consumer against the dealer.THE CLAIM STATISTICS INSPECTOR WAS CONTACTED ON: 9/21/97 INSPECTOR WAS RETAINED ON: 9/23/97 DATE INSPECTED: 9/30/97 DATE WRITTEN: 10/8/97 PROBLEM REPORTED: Matting & Crushing PROBLEM FOUND: Installations Errors PERSONS PRESENT: Inspector & Claimant
THE CARPET MANUFACTURER: World Carpets, Inc. NUMBER on BACKING: DOS 09680 900823 5135 ROLL & INVOICE NUMBERS: Not Reported STYLE NAME & NUMBER: Conquistador COLOR NAME & NUMBER: Cliffside FIBER/ ID METHOD: Nylon-Chemical FIBER HUE: Tan CONSTRUCTION: Tufted Cut Pile YARN STYLE: Saxony SQUARE YARDAGE: 145 BACK SYSTEM: Action Back PRIMARY BACKING: Polypropylene SECONDARY BACKING: Polypropylene
THE INSTALLATION DEALER: Larry Lester Carpet CO. INC. LOCATION TYPE: Residential DATE INSTALLED: 9/20/95 METHOD: Stretch-In CUSHION: 1/2 Inch Rebond 3.25 Lb./Cu. Ft. SUBFLOOR: Concrete on the First & Second Levels, Plywood on the Third Level. AREA INSTALLED: Living-Room, Den, Stairs, & 2 Bedrooms, Hallway, 2 Bathrooms
USE & MAINTENANCE INFORMATION AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION LITERATURE RECEIVED WITH PURCHASE: None Reported TEMPERATURE: 75.0°F - 23.8° C RH 44% ADULTS: 1 - CHILDREN: 0 - PET(S): 0 DO THEY SMOKE? No SPOTTING AGENTS: None Reported VACUUM/FREQUENCY: Upright Weekly ENTRY-MATS? Yes SOIL: None Noticed HEATING TYPE: Central Force Air Gas COOLING TYPE: Central - Electric CLEANING: Never Been Cleaned
REASON FOR COMMISSION The claimant says that the carpet's tufts have lost twist.
THE REPORT Site Conditions and Geographical Information The carpets in question were in the claimant's in town-homes of this common-interest development. This facility was located in the San Fernando Valley in a residential neighborhood. The maintenance and condition of this property was good. This unit was owner occupied at the time of the inspection.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION MADE TO THE INSPECTOR Loss of twist was noticed several months after the installation. Also, gaps next to the base board were noticed in both bedrooms and the nails from the tackless strip could be felt throughout the installation. On 1/21/97 an inspection was commissioned by the dealer that determined: "Nothing had been found as a result of this inspection that can be considered as justification of a valid claim against the manufacturer. The installation related conditions as stated above, require additional dialogue between the dealer and the consumer as to what were the conditions of the installation warranty."
DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM AREA BY THIS INSPECTOR The carpet was crushed and matted in most of the trafficked areas. There were no oblong stretches noted in the secondary backing to indicate that a power stretcher had been used. The cushion did not have duct tape over its seams. There were gaps between the carpet and wall noted in both bedrooms. Appearances and upkeep in this unit appeared to be adequate and there were no apparent problems inherent from maintenance.
ON-LOCATION FIELD TESTING Numerous moisture tests were performed using a Delmhorst Moisture Sensor. This test would indicate the presence of moisture locked-up in salt compounds from urine and detergents. The results of these tests showed no moisture throughout the installation. An ultra-violet light was used to draw a reflection from substances with optical brightening agents. Yellow reflection will come from most urine stains; a blue or lavender reflection from detergents. The result of this test revealed that there were no reflections. 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 electronic scale from Acculab, model number: V-333. This device is accurate to .1 grams. The results of this test showed a 3.25 pound density of the cushion.
THE ISSUE OF THIS REPORT The question that I have been asked to address is: what has caused the loss of twist in this yarn system?
GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATING THE ISSUE
INDUSTRY STANDARDS & DEFINITIONS The DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING FEDERAL HOUSING COMMISSIONER sets the standards for minimum cushion thickness and density. For Bonded the standard is: · For CLASS 1 carpet which is defined as 'Light and Moderate Traffic (such as living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, recreational rooms and corridors" the standard is 0.375 or 3/8 inches thickness and five pounds per cubic foot density. · For CLASS 2 carpet which is defined as "Heavy Duty Traffic (for heavy traffic use at all levels, but specifically for public areas such as lobbies and corridors in multi-family facilities recreational rooms and corridors" the standard is 0.375 i.e. 3/8 inches thickness and 6.5 pounds per cubic foot. · The Carpet Cushion Council also recommends Class 2 for stairs and hallways." Concerning carpet cushion on Residential stretch-in-installations, the CRI105 says this: Foam cushion seams are to be covered with vinyl coated fabric tape (duct tape) or secured with adhesives. Staples or adhesives are to be applied 6 inches (150 mm) within the perimeter edges all around. Concerning power-stretching, the CRI105 says: 9.14 Power Stretching - Following seaming, carpet must be power stretched and firmly hooked onto the tackless strip at the starting walls in surrounding area. The use of a power stretcher is mandatory.
THE INSPECTOR'S ANALYSIS Some loss of twist is to be expected from normal use of cut-pile tufted carpet and many warranties do not cover this type of problem. One person with no pets and no evidence of improper maintenance is not justification of the amount of pile distortion that has occur. A more likely cause thus might be found in the installation. · The U.S. Government requirements for FHA-finance housing for separate-carpet-cushion are called HUD UM72 and the Carpet Cushion Council has endorsed this standard as a minimum recommendation. For over 20 years, they have been proven to work. In addition, the Carpet Cushion Council has conducted their own testing for performance and has shown that these standards are a minimum guideline for standard carpet performance. Better grades of carpet cushion are suggested when more support is needed. In this case the usage is light, but the cushion is only 65 per cent of a minimum requirement and half of what would be required in a Class 2 situation. Thus, rules that have been set by the Federal Government and that have been proven repeatedly have been broken. The results are undeniable in the lack of performance of this carpet. . In addition, whereas the CRI105 RESIDENTIAL INSTALLATION STANDARDS say in bold print, 'The use of a power stretcher is mandatory', findings of the carpet's backing did not indicate that power stretching did not take place. The results of loss of performance are synergetic with the cushion problem. The result of this could be compared to an automobile tire that has been incorrectly balanced; the longevity and appearance have been lost. Later down the road the carpet will likely buckle and delaminate. The likely scenario of how the improper cushion density caused the loss of twist would be that yarn slippage occurred first. The yarn slippage would be due to a break down of the latex holding the yarns in place. These raised yarns would receive more wear and therefore lose twist and then mat. The next step in the process would likely be buckling and delamination.
CONCLUSION The loss of twist was due to failures to meet the minimum requirements of the installation standards. The conclusion is based upon the observations of lack of power stretching and failure to meet minimum cushion requirements. |