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Ultraviolet Light Degradation

This is nylon degradation problem. The carpet mill was the commissioner and the carpet did not pass the test for ultraviolet degradation.

PROBLEM REPORTED:    Fuzzing
PROBLEM FOUND:    ultraviolet Light Degradation
WAS A DIAGRAM MADE?:    No
SAMPLES FROM INSPECTION:    None Taken
PERSONS PRESENT:    Inspector, Claimant, & Housekeeper
THE CARPET

FIBER/ ID METHOD:    Nylon-Chemical
FIBER HUE:        White
CONSTRUCTION:    Tufted Cut Pile
YARN STYLE:    Saxony Plush
SQUARE YARDAGE:    111.33
BACK SYSTEM:    Conventional Tufted
PRIMARY BACKING:    Polypropylene
SECONDARY BACKING:    Polypropylene
THE INSTALLATION
DEALER:    Not Available
INSTALLER:    Same As Dealer
TYPE LOCATION:    Residential
DATE INSTALLED:    1995
METHOD:        Stretch-In
SUBFLOOR:        Slab
AREA INSTALLED:     Livingroom, Bedroom, & Bathroom
USE & MAINTENANCE INFORMATION AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION
LITERATURE RECEIVED WITH PURCHASE: Not Reported
TEMPERATURE: 74°F - 23.3° C RH 55%
ADULTS: 1 - CHILDREN: 0 - PET(S): 0
DO THEY SMOKE?    No
SPOTTING AGENTS:    Not Determined
VACUUM/FREQUENCY:    Upright Weekly
ENTRY-MATS:    Yes
SOIL:    None Noticed
HEATING TYPE:    Central Force Air Gas
COOLING TYPE:    Central - Electric
CLEANING:    See Report
REASON FOR COMMISSION
Assess the problem reported and make a determination of responsible party.
THE REPORT
Site Conditions and Geographical Information
This is an owner occupied, northeast/northwest corner, 26th floor condominium that overlooks the Hollywood Hills. This 35-story facility situated on the base of the hill in the Los Angeles Basin was well maintained.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION MADE TO THE INSPECTOR
A problem with fuzz was noticed in the winter of 1997, when a guest wearing black observed a fuzz or dust like material on their pants and shoes. The problem was more noticeable in the livingroom than master bedroom and was not noticed in the bathroom. It was not clear whether the drapes were opened or closed most of the time but the claimant responded saying, "am I supposed to live in darkness?"
According to the claimant two inspections had been made and the carpet mill had commissioned a cleaning. The cleaning eliminated the problem for about a month, but the problem has continued to get worse with time. There was a general consensus that the fuzz was created by degradation from ultraviolet light.
DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM AREA BY THIS INSPECTOR
Around the perimeter of the rooms the carpet in question was installed with another border of another style of carpet. There was no immediate problem observed with fuzzing or bearding. A pair of slightly discolored circular bumps were pointed out and observed in the livingroom.
Large glass windows surrounded the livingroom and the glass appeared to be tinted. Drapes for these windows were open at the time of the inspection.
The inspector was wearing black slacks and the carpet was rubbed with his knee in the livingroom and in a bathroom that had been covered by a bedsheet. The livingroom yielded fuzz as seen in photograph number one, where as the bedroom carpet yielded none.
ON-LOCATION FIELD TESTING
Moisture tests were performed using a Delmhorst Moisture Sensor in the bump that was pointed out. 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 in the bump.
300 hours of AATCC 16E, Xenon-Arc Lamp testing was run at INDEPENDENT TEXTILE TESTING and ultraviolet degradation of the fibers was observed.
THE ISSUE
The question I have been asked to address is to determine whether the yarn is defective.
GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATING THE ISSUE
Ultraviolet light degradation can come from:
1. defect in the yarn
2. excessive ultraviolet light
INDUSTRY STANDARDS & DEFINITIONS
The FLOORCOVERING DICTIONARY as defines defects:
DEFECTS - A general term that refers to some flaw in a textile product that detracts from either performance or appearance properties. In the case of a defect in material or workmanship, the manufacturer reserves the right to report or replace the carpet. An obvious defect that can be readily and easily discerned prior to, or at the time of, installation is a visible defect. A defect that is neither apparent nor visible at the time of installation but becomes apparent at a later time is a latent defect.
THE INSPECTOR'S ANALYSIS
Ultraviolet light is a form of energy that affects the structure of many molecules. Nylon is no exception. Whereas other outdoor products have remedies for reapplication of protectants to guard against ultraviolet light degradation, carpet does not.
Whereas there is no convening authority setting official standards on ultraviolet degradation there is a common acceptance of 300 hours of AATCC 16E testing to make a determination. In this case, degradation was determined.
The cause of the bump could be from over application of some type of spotter of which moisture testing did not reveal an old residue, from installation or defects in manufacturing. The carpet needed to be lifted up for a more accurate determination and that was beyond the scope of this inspection.
CONCLUSION
The yarn in the carpet in question is defective based upon laboratory testing. This is a fiber producer's responsibility.