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Pooling for a Fiber ProducerThis report was commissioned by the fiber producer.CLAIM STATISTICS FOR THIS INSPECTION RETAINED ON: 2/17/99 DATE INSPECTED: 2/26/99 DATE WRITTEN: 3/3/99 PHOTOGRAPHS: 1 PROBLEM REPORTED: Matting & Crushing PROBLEM FOUND: Pile Reversal DIAGRAM: Yes SAMPLES: Carpet Remnant Only PERSONS PRESENT: Inspector, Claimant, & Specifier
THE CARPET STYLE NAME & NUMBER: Tapestry FIBER Nylon ID METHOD: According To Commissioner FIBER COLOR Off White CONSTRUCTION: Conventional Tuft YARN STYLE: Cut & Loop Sculpture SQUARE YARDAGE: 80 BACK SYSTEM: Conventional Tuft PRIMARY BACKING: Polypropylene SECONDARY BACKING: Polypropylene INSTALLATION STATISTICS TYPE LOCATION: Residential DATE INSTALLED: 8/10/98 METHOD: Stretch-In CUSHION: Cushion SUBFLOOR: Concrete Slab AREA INSTALLED: Two Bedrooms & Hallway
USE & MAINTENANCE STATISTICS AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION LITERATURE RECEIVED WITH PURCHASE: Yes ADULTS: 2 - CHILDREN: 0 - PET(S): 0 DO THEY SMOKE? No SPOTTING AGENTS: Not Applicable TEMPERATURE: 72°F - 22.2° C RH 51% VACUUM TYPE Electra Lux Canister VACUUM FREQUENCY: Weekly & more ENTRY-MATS: In the Downstairs Lobby SOIL: Occasional Spot HEATING TYPE: Forced Air Gas COOLING TYPE: Central - Electric CLEANING: Never Been Cleaned
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THIS REPORT Diagram the affected area, acquire a three-inch by five-inch sample of a remnant, acquire individual tufts of the affected area, and check for pile reversal.
Site Conditions and Geographical Information This is an owner-occupied condominium, which was owner occupied at the time of the inspection. This home was positioned on the third floor of a secured common-interest dwelling, which was located on the cliffs across and over-looking the Pacific Ocean. A professional housekeeper was on duty at the time of the inspection. Different types of construction people were also coming and going during the inspection and remodeling was near completion. The maintenance and condition of this property was very good.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION MADE TO THE INSPECTOR The installation of this carpet was part of the moving in process and information on the previous carpet was unknown. Part of the criteria of selecting this particular carpet was the aesthetics. In a short time after the installation, an odd appearance in the yarn began to form in the hallway and two bedrooms. Vacuuming the carpet did not make the problem to go away.
DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM AREA BY THIS INSPECTOR A dark serpentine line ran close and next to the baseboard in the hallway and was seen in both bedrooms. The appearance of this line was more noticeable from one direction over the opposite direction and would disappear when viewed directly overhead. There was no crushing or matting noticed in the lines or adjacent yarns nor was there a difference in the size, bulk, twist, hue, or pile height of the yarns. Brushing the yarns would make the line disappear momentarily, but made no lasting change in the appearance. The line itself appeared to be border distinguishing different pile directions.
ON-LOCATION FIELD TESTING A Pile Direction Test was done using a piece of paper and a pencil decisively indicated that the pile direction ran towards the baseboard on each side of the serpentine line.
THE ISSUE The issue of this report is whether the fiber producer has responsibilities to this consumer for correcting the pile direction problem.
GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATING THE ISSUE The fiber producer warranty and the CRI CLAIMS MANUAL are the applicable standards for this issue.
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 INSTITUTES's CLAIMS MANUAL, it says this about side matches. 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). According to a study done by the CRI, on pooling they say this: After a dense cut pile carpet is placed into service, some areas may start to appear to be lighter or darker in color. If the dyed yarns from these areas are compared with the original color, no change of color will be detected. These areas of perceived change may be in traffic or heavily used areas or in areas which receive only a small amount of use. The areas may be as small as a coin, or they may be very large. Normally, the extremities of the areas are rounded, and the rows of tufts between the two areas stand almost erect.
THE INSPECTOR'S ANALYSIS This is a classic case of the condition known as pooling, shading, watermarking, or shore lining. It is a permanent change in the pile directions of which there are no lasting corrections. The forces that create it have no consensus of the cause, but two common factors are:
Tests have been performed by replacing the carpet in areas where this condition has occurred and the results have been the same. For that reason, it is not considered a manufacturing defect, but there would be a less likely chance of occurrence with less plush and/or with a loop-pile carpet.
CONCLUSION The fiber producer has no responsibility on this type claim based upon industry standards and practices and there is no defect to note in this carpet with respect to materials and construction. |