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Pile reversal due to TrackingThhis report was done for the dealer.THE CLAIM STATISTICS INSPECTOR WAS CONTACTED ON: 7/13/98 INSPECTOR WAS RETAINED ON: 7/13/98 DATE INSPECTED: 7/21/98 DATE WRITTEN: 8/3/98 PROBLEM REPORTED: Color Change PROBLEM FOUND: Pile Reversal WAS A DIAGRAM MADE?: No SAMPLES FROM INSPECTION: None Taken PERSONS PRESENT: Inspector & Claimant
THE CARPET MANUFACTURER: Mohawk Carpet NUMBER on BACKING: Not Applicable FIBER/ ID METHOD: Nylon-Chemical FIBER HUE: Taupe CONSTRUCTION: Tufted Cut Pile YARN STYLE: Sculptured Textured Pattern SQUARE YARDAGE: Not Determined BACK SYSTEM: Conventional Tufted PRIMARY BACKING: Polypropylene SECONDARY BACKING: Polypropylene
THE INSTALLATION DEALER: The Commissioner INSTALLER: Same As Dealer LOCATION TYPE: Residential METHOD: Stretch-In CUSHION: 1/2-Inch Rebond SUBFLOOR: Concrete AREA INSTALLED: Livingroom, Den, Hallway, & 3 Bedrooms
USE & MAINTENANCE INFORMATION AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION TEMPERATURE: 79°F ADULTS: 1 - CHILDREN: 0 - PET(S): 1 - Outside Dog DO THEY SMOKE? No SPOTTING AGENTS: Not Applicable VACUUM/FREQUENCY: Professional Service Once A Month ENTRY-MATS? Yes SOIL: None Noticed HEATING TYPE: Forced Air Gas COOLING TYPE: None CLEANING: New Carpet
REASON FOR COMMISSION The carpet has a problem with its hue.
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 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 Immediately after the installation, the hue had an unexpected variance. The carpet mill commissioned an inspection, but there has been no resolution. In addition, no corrections had been attempted.
DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM AREA BY THIS INSPECTOR The design of the carpet had irregular shaped areas of light and dark hues, but the carpet appeared lighter in front of a sliding-glass-door in the den, darker under a shelf in one bedroom, and had a light streak in the hallway.
ON-LOCATION FIELD TESTING An inspection lamp was used to evaluate closer and to create shadows. This high intensity lamp is equipped with a 200-watt halogen bulb. The odd light and dark hue in the den, hallway, and bedroom were all more noticeable when this light was shone on them. A Pile Direction Test was done using a piece of paper and a pencil. The pile direction of the carpet was different from the rest of the carpet in the three -- in the den, hallway, and bedroom. 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.
THE ISSUE The question that I have been asked to address is: what caused the pile reversal in the carpet in question?
GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATING THE ISSUE Pile reversal can be caused by:
INDUSTRY STANDARDS & DEFINITIONS According to the FLOOR COVERING DICTIONARY, it says this about shading. SHADING - An optical effect cased by light reflection on the carpet pile giving the appearance of alternate lighter or darker areas. Examination will show that the tuft are actually of a uniform color and are restored to a one-color effect when the pile is smoothed in one direction. This characteristic is most notable in cut loop constructions, particularly pile carpets. In addition, in cut-pile fabrics, an apparent change in color when the pile is bent, caused by differences in the way light is reflected off the bent fibers. This phenomenon is a characteristic of pile fabrics, not a defect. According to the CARPET AND RUG Institute's CLAIMS MANUAL, it says this about side matches. 8. Pile crushing, pile shading, and soiling are not manufacturing defects and will not be considered as a basis for claims. Claims for fuzzing and pilling will be subjected to examination and testing by the manufacturer. Claims for missing tufts will not be considered except on a basis of repair. No claims will be honored for carpet installed on stairs, in elevators and in bathrooms. The mill reserves the right to correct any repairable manufacturing defect. (See Glossary for definition of terms). In a publication of the CARPET & RUG INSTITUTE called Pile Reversal ("Shading," "Watermarking"), it gives this definition: Tracking -- A gradual change in appearance of a textile floor covering from edge to middle of a narrow band caused by repeated walking over the same area which may result in a localized change in pile orientation and may be irreversible.
THE INSPECTOR'S ANALYSIS The carpet has not been down long enough for wear related problems to be a factor and moisture testing and the pattern of the pile direction do not support maintenance being a problem. The initial impressions of a 'light area in front of a sliding-glass-door or dark spot under a bookshelf would be shadows. However, the light test dispels that possibility along with confirmation that the pile was reversed. There are many hypotheses on what causes pile reversal involving the materials, manufacturing procedures, magnetic forces in the earth and airflow and the ionization of the air. However, dense-cut-pile yarn and 'location specific' are the only two common factors. Once it has developed, it cannot be permanently removed. Replacement of the carpet with a similar product would likely lead to the same problem. The classic description of pooling involves serpentine lines or irregular shaded circles where the carpet appears to be wet and this carpet does not fit that exact description, instead it is closer to a variance in shading called "Tracking". According to the Song-Beverly Implied Warranty Act, a product sold without an expressed warranty is expected or implied that it will perform to a reasonable standard. The difficulty is in determining what is considered reasonable and that is beyond the scope of this inspection report.
CONCLUSION Pile reversal in the carpet in question was due to "Shading" or "Tracking" and is not considered a manufacturing defect. Considerations beyond this are beyond the scope of this report. |