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Crushing Covered Under Warranty on Olefin

This report was done for the homeowner and it was discovered that the carpet mill had a warranty for crushing.

THE INSTALLATION

LOCATION TYPE: Residential

DATE INSTALLED: 9/96

METHOD: Stretch-In

CUSHION: 1/2 Inch Rebond 6.5 Lb./Cu. Ft.

SUBFLOOR: Concrete

AREA INSTALLED: Living-Room, Family-Room, Dining-Room, Hallway, Office, 5 Bedrooms

USE & MAINTENANCE INFORMATION AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION

LITERATURE RECEIVED WITH PURCHASE: No

TEMPERATURE: 72.0°F -- 22.2° C RH 48%

ADULTS: 2 -- CHILDREN: 1 -- PET(S): 2 - Dogs

DO THEY SMOKE? No

SPOTTING AGENTS: Nature's Miracle

VACUUM/FREQUENCY: Upright Weekly

ENTRY-MATS? Yes

SOIL: See Report

HEATING TYPE: Central Force Air Gas

COOLING TYPE: Central - Electric

CLEANING: Professional

METHOD: Shampoo

TYPE OF CHEMICAL: Neutral pH Shampoo

DATE LAST CLEANED: 6/97

TREATMENTS APPLIED: None

REASON FOR COMMISSION

To determine if the crushing and re-occurring spots are within acceptable norms.

THE REPORT

Site Conditions and Geographical Information

The carpet was installed in the claimant's free standing single story house, located in a residential neighborhood. The house was well maintained and was owner occupied at the time of the inspection.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION MADE TO THE INSPECTOR

The carpet was installed as part of a refurbishing plan due to the age of the old carpet. A state of the art carpet with excellent stain resistance and easy in care was requested. No problems were noticed until an accident occurred with a beverage. The spot made cleaned up easily but returned the next day.

The carpet took on a 'worn look' that did not recover after maintenance. Later, oil spots were made during remodeling and required professional cleaning services to correct. However, cleaning did not restore the 'worn look'.

DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM AREA BY THIS INSPECTOR

Dark spots and heavy crushing was noted throughout the installation.

· In the family-room a large dark spot was noted in the trafficked area. This spot had well defined edges and reportedly had been removed and had come back.

· In the dining-room, smaller brown and gray spots were noted near the entrance of the room.

· In the living-room, a large dark spot was noted in the trafficked area. This spot had a slight urine odor.

· Going into the hallway there were large dark spots noted leading into the hall. Heavy crushing was also noted that led into all of the bedrooms.

There was no difference in hand noted between the spots, crushed areas and the non-affected areas. There was no animal hair noted and no other problems noted with the carpet.

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 excessive detergent residues. The results of these tests showed moisture in some of the spots and no where else.

Numerous pH tests were taken using a digital type pH meter and a special low moisture probe that made direct contact with the face yarns. This device is accurate to ± 0.1 and was calibrated with a laboratory testing solution immediately before these tests were made. All tests were made using distilled water with a pH of 7.0. The test results were as follows:

Spotted areas 6.4 6.5 6.3 Ave. 6.4

There was no slippery feel made after the water was applied to the carpet.

A small portable extractor was used to test the cleanability of the carpet and the results were satisfactory.

Testing at Professional Testing for Standard 9405-1990 was perform as warranted C this carpet. The results of the test was a 2.

THE ISSUE

The question that I had been asked to address is: what caused the carpet to crush?

GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATING THE ISSUE

Crushing can Occur when:

1. a soil attracting residue is in the carpet

· from oily residues from manufacturing

· from improper maintenance or from usage

2. there has been improper installation of the carpet.

3. it is indicative of the yarn

TEXT FROM THE MANUFACTURE'S WARRANTY

According to ACME CARPET MILLS, they say this about crushing.

LIMITED WARRANTY #4103R

ACME RUG AND CARPET MILLS INC.

LIMITED FIVE YEAR RESIDENTIAL

TEXTURE RETENTION WARRANTY

ACME Rug and Carpet Mills. Inc. warrants to the original purchaser of this carpet that from the date of original purchase and subject to proper installation and maintenance the carpet will retain its texture not showing excessive pile crushing or matting from ordinary foot traffic as a result of tufts losing twist is set forth below fur a period of five years

Resistance to pile crushing end matting is measured by texture retention which is the ability of the carpet tufts to retain their visible shape as determined by the degree of brushing opening or untwisting of the tufts at the surface of the carpet. Texture retention is measured against standardized rating scales ranging from 5.0 (new or no change to 1.0 (severe ,change):); ISO Standard 9405-1990 To perform as warranted C this carpet must retain a texture rating of no less than 3.0 under warranted conditions.

Any area of the carpet that fails to perform as a warranted will the repaired If repair is not possible, the affected area of carpet will be replaced with carpet of comparable quality and color.

Replacements will include the cost of the carpet and installation (excluding a cost of removal For replacements occurring in the first year the replacement is 100% For replacement occurring in years two through five a usage fee will be charged based upon a percentage of the retail price paid for the affected area of carpet excluding cushion and labor, as follows:

If replaced in 2nd year 20% usage fee

3rd year 40% usage fee

4th year 60% usage fee;

5th year 80% usage fee

If replacement is impractical, ACME Rug and Carpet Mills Inc. may elect reimbursement rather than replacement In that case. ACME Rug and Carpet Mills, Inc. will pay for removal of the old carpet and will reimburse the customer according to the above referenced usage fee for replacement.

Olefin is the most crushable of all synthetic fibers used in carpet and the amount of crushing is not unusual for this fiber or style of carpet. An underlining issue is whether or not the yarn would meet the ISO Standard given in the warranty. Whereas, a specific test is not mentioned and the ISO Standard 9405-1990 is a rating system, not a test, either Terapod (ASTM D-5251 or Hexapod (ASTM D-5252) would be applicable for evaluation to the ISO Standard 9405-1990. Based upon the severity of the crushing and the testing done, the results show less than 3.0.

CONCLUSION

Crushing in the carpet in did not meet the standards given in it’s warranty. Replacement is recommended.