Matting and Crushing from improper Cushion
This report was done for a consumer against the dealer. It won in
court.
THE CLAIM STATISTICS
WAS A DIAGRAM MADE?: No
THE CARPET
FIBER/ ID METHOD: Nylon
FIBER HUE: Taupe
CONSTRUCTION: Tufted Cut Loop
YARN STYLE: Saxony
SQUARE YARDAGE: 151.67
BACK SYSTEM: Conventional Tufted
PRIMARY BACKING: Polypropylene
SECONDARY BACKING: Polypropylene
THE INSTALLATION
TYPE OF SITE: Residential
METHOD: Stretch-In
CUSHION: 9/16 Inch Urethane Grafted Prime 1.28 Lb./Sq. Ft.
SUBFLOOR: Concrete on the First Level, Plywood on the Second Level.
AREA INSTALLED: Dining-Room, Living-Room, Stairs, Hallway, & 3 Bedrooms.
USE & MAINTENANCE INFORMATION AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION
LITERATURE RECEIVED WITH PURCHASE: Yes
TEMPERATURE: 70.3°F - 21.2° C
RELATIVE HUMIDITY: 64%
ADULTS: 2 - CHILDREN: 3 - PET(S): 1 - Dog
DO THEY SMOKE? Yes
SPOTTING AGENTS: ReSolveŽ
VACUUM TYPE: Eureka Upright
FREQUENCY: Every Other Week
ENTRY MATS: Yes
CONDITION of THE CARPET: See Report
SOIL: None Noticed
HEATING TYPE: Central Force Air Gas
COOLING TYPE: None
CLEANING: Never Been Cleaned
REASON FOR COMMISSION
To determine the reason for the pulled loops.
THE REPORT
Site Conditions and Geographical Information
The carpets in question were installed in town-homes of this multi-unit
common-interest, gated development. This facility was located in the coastal plain of
Ventura County. 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
The carpet was selected when the claimant was purchasing and moving into this
town-house with a selection of a ‘standard package’ without upgrades. No
problems were noticed upon moving-in.
One month later, the carpet began to look flat and yarns started pulling loose from the
carpet. At six weeks after the installation a seam in the living-room became more
noticeable and corrective services were performed three times. The appearance of the seam
improved, but its visibility was more obvious than before.
The installer reports that the pad is 3/8 thick, FHA/HUD approve and is called Sedstec.
DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM AREA BY THIS INSPECTOR
Loose yarns were noticed next to the baseboard. Latex was still attached to yarns that
had been pulled free and tips of the pulled yarns did not appear frayed. There was no
evidence of pulled yarns in trafficked areas. The carpet was heavily crushed and slightly
matted in most of the trafficked areas.
The carpet was pulled back in the entry to the living-room and there were two rolls of
tackless-strip. The secondary had oblong-marks in the mesh that indicates that the carpet
was power-stretched. The edge of the carpet appeared not to have latex. There were no
actual voids in the carpet.
ON-LOCATION FIELD TESTING
An ultra-violet light was shone throughout the installation. The result of this test
revealed that there was no sealer.
Fifteen Tuftbind Tests were performed over a random area. The results were as follows:
6 5.5 6.5 6 5 6 6 9.5 9.5 12 4 10 5 5.5 6 Ave 6.83
A sample of this cushion was sent to PROFESSIONAL TESTING LABORATORY Inc. of Dalton
Georgia for testing. The results of these tests were as follows:
CUSHION THICKNESS 0.53 INCH
CUSHION DENSITY 1.4 POUNDS PER CUBIT FOOT.
THE ISSUE OF THIS REPORT
The question that I have address is: what has caused to the carpet to mat and crush?
GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATING THE ISSUE
Matting and Crushing can Occur when:
1. there has been improper installation of the carpet.
ˇ from cushion thickness or density
ˇ from lack of power stretching
2. they are indicative of the yarn
3. a soil attracting residue is in the carpet
ˇ from oily residues from manufacturing
ˇ from improper maintenance or from usage
INDUSTRY STANDARDS, PRACTICES & 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 Grafted Prime the standard is:
ˇ 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 2.7 pounds per cubic foot density and 0.375 inches thickness.
ˇ 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 2.7 pounds
per cubic foot and 0.25 inches thickness. The Carpet Cushion Council also recommends Class
2 for stars and hallways."
THE INSPECTOR'S ANALYSIS
The inspector changed the issue from pulled loops to matting and crushing, because the
claimant’s major grievance had to do with excessive wear or appearance. The wear
issue was defined crushing and matting which is due to improper cushion thickness and
density.
CONCLUSION
Matting And Crushing are due to improper cushion thickness and density based upon
testing from an outside independent testing laboratory and the FHA/HUD rules given.
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