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Yarn Slippage from too wide panelsThe panel widths indicated that the selvage was not trimmed enough to satisfy standards.THE CARPET FIBER/ ID METHOD: Nylon FIBER HUE: Multi-Color CONSTRUCTION: Tufted Loop YARN STYLE: Level Loop SQUARE YARDAGE: 351 BACK SYSTEM: Conventional Tuft PRIMARY BACKING: Polypropylene SECONDARY BACKING: Polypropylene THE INSTALLATION LOCATION TYPE: Commercial TYPE OF BUSINESS: School DATE INSTALLED: 8/97 METHOD: Direct Glue Down SUBFLOOR: Concrete AREA INSTALLED: Dining-Rooms USE & MAINTENANCE INFORMATION AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION LITERATURE RECEIVED WITH PURCHASE: Not Determined TEMPERATURE: 73.8°F - 23.2° C RH 60% VACUUM/FREQUENCY: Upright Nightly ENTRY-MATS? Yes SOIL: Slightly Soiled HEATING TYPE: Not Determined COOLING TYPE: Not Determined REASON FOR COMMISSION The claimant says that the carpet’s loops have pulled. THE REPORT Site Conditions and Geographical Information The carpet in question was installed in the dining rooms of a dormitory cafeteria facility. This facility was located in the San Gabriel Valley and the maintenance and condition of this property was good. BACKGROUND INFORMATION MADE TO THE INSPECTOR The carpet was installed as part of a refurbishing plan due to the age of the old carpet. Immediately after the installation, stringing fibers were noted at the edge of the carpet and along with pulled yarns. Repairs were made and some improvement was made. The manufacturer states that this is a ‘straight roll’ tufted product that comes in 12 foot widths. On special orders, slightly wider panels can be ordered. The installer states that carpet was roll cut on the top side. Some difficulty was experienced on keeping the pattern match.. DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM AREA BY THIS INSPECTOR The carpet was installed into two dining-rooms where a back dining-room had no problem. The main dining-room had a recessed subfloor so that the carpet was made flush with the tile floor. There was no metal noted where the tile transitions into the carpet. The main dining-room had three panels with the first panel measuring 11 feet, 11 1/2 inches, the second 11 feet, nine inches, and the third 11 feet ten inches. Pulled loops were noticed at the carpet’s edge and in the seams. The most affected area was between the first and second seams. ON-LOCATION FIELD TESTING An ultra-violet light was shone to find evidence that seaming adhesive was used on cut edges and indeed seaming adhesive was found. A carpet awl was used to probe the carpet to determine how strong the tuft-bind was in the affected areas. The result of this test revealed that there was no weak tuft-bind. THE ISSUE OF THIS REPORT The question that I have been asked to address is: what caused the carpet yarns to pull? GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATING THE ISSUE Pulled loops can occur when: 1. there is excessive foot traffic and/or improper proper maintenance 2. there is a manufacturer’s defect 3. there is a failure to meet minimum standards of installation INDUSTRY STANDARDS & DEFINITIONS Concerning Direct Glue-Down Installations, the CRI104 - 1994, says this 8.2 Layout - Cut the carpet to the proper length and spread out In the area where it is to be installed. The carpet shall be cut three to four inches longer than the area measurement. Where applicable, also allow for pattern repeat. Align all breadths, or sections. of carpet in their proper position, and trim the seams. THE INSPECTOR'S ANALYSIS 1. The carpet has not been down long enough for a usage or maintenance issue and thus are not considered a likely culprit. Also, observations and background information did not support this as culprits. 2. Pulled loops that are inherent in manufacturing generally occur through the installation. When remnants are available, then tuft-bind tests could be performed, but in this case they were not. 3. Since most of the pulled loops found occurred at the cut edges, installation guidelines need to be addressed.
Since the panel widths indicate that proper selvage was not trimmed enough to satisfy the standards, installation or specification problems obviously exist. It should be noted that if a deeper trimming of the selvage was made, another panel of carpet would be needed to complete the installation. Thus the cost for carpeting this dining-room would be approximately one third higher. The testing done with the awl was not sophisticated enough to make a definite statement, but would indicate that if the corrective services are performed, the problem may be controllable. Trimming loops at the carpet’s edge and reburling loops in the seam should be sufficient. Replacement is not recommended. CONCLUSION Pulled loops in the carpet in question was due to problems inherent in the installation and not in manufacturing based upon the measurements taken. |