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Yellow Spots made with FolexThis report was commissioned by the dealer and the Foley was found to be of safe pH, and the stain resistance was defective.TYPE OF SITE: ResidentialDATE INSTALLED: 11/5/95 METHOD: Stretch-In CUSHION: 1/2 Inch Rebond 6 Lb./Sq. Ft. SUBFLOOR: Concrete AREA INSTALLED: Living-room., Stairs, & Hallway USE & MAINTENANCE INFORMATION AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION LITERATURE RECEIVED WITH PURCHASE: Not Determined TEMPERATURE: 70.9°F - 21.6° C ADULTS: 1 CHILDREN: 1 PETS: 0 RELATIVE HUMIDITY: 60% DO THEY SMOKE? No SPOTTING AGENTS: Folex VACUUM TYPE: Upright FREQUENCY: Weekly ENTRY MATS: Yes CONDITION of THE CARPET: Good SOIL: None Noticeable HEATING TYPE: Central Force Air Gas COOLING TYPE: Central - Gas CLEANING: Never Been Cleaned REASON FOR COMMISSION To determine why the carpet in question has yellowed. THE REPORT Geographical Background Information The carpet in question was located in a two-story, condominium on the eastern edge of the San Fernando Valley. The condition of the facility and the maintenance were very good. BACKGROUND INFORMATION MADE TO THE INSPECTOR The carpet had no apparent problems when first installed. Approximately a week after treating spots with the Folex Spotting Agent, the hue of the carpet changed to yellow. The dealer was notified and the mill commissioned an inspection. The conclusion of the report was that the yellowing was due to the release of BHT, an organic solvent used in the cushion and backing of the carpet. Tuftex Mill rejected the claim based upon BHT not being present in carpets and pads made in recent years. A second inspection was commissioned to this inspector to make a second assessment of the yellowing problem. DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM AREA BY THIS INSPECTOR The yellowing was confined to the areas reportedly treated with the Folex Spotting Agent. These spots had well-defined edges and were globular in shape. Their diameter varied from a few inches to a foot in diameter as seem in photograph number one. FIELD TESTING An ultra-violet light was shone throughout the installation. This tool draws a yellow reflection from most urine stains and a blue or lavender reflection from detergents with optical brightening agents. The result of this test revealed that the yellowing disappeared as seen on photograph number two. No other reflections were found. Numerous pH tests were taken using a pHep + Pen by Hanna®. 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: yellow areas 7.3 7.4 7.3 7.4 7.4 Ave. 7.36 non-affected areas 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 Ave. 7 The pH of the Folex was measured at 8.7 A DuPont® Stain Resist Test was performed to determine the amount of possible stain resistance on the face yarn. The results of these tests revealed that the yarns that were randomly selected received a significant red stain when tested. Other yarns that were treated with a stain resist solution were not stained, as seen in the sample includes. THE ISSUE OF THIS REPORT The question I have been asked to address is: what has caused the carpet to yellow and are the these factors in compliance with industry standards? GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATING THE ISSUE Stain Resist carpet turns Yellowing when: 1. Butylated Hydroxyl Toluene known as BHT, mixes with olefin and/or sulfonated phenol or acid dye blockers 2. certain types of light reflection come in contact with the carpet 3. a foreign substance has been spilled on the carpet that contains a pigment such as in the case of pet urine stains 4. oxides of sulfur or nitrogen are excessively strong in the atmosphere 5. there is a loss of color from some type of bleaching agent 6. acid dye blockers have been affected by ultra violet light 7. excessive alkalinity remains in contact with the acid dye blockers 8. stain resist treatments are defective The Standard for Carpet Cleaning S001-1994 is the standard for cleaning and is published by the INSTITUTE OF INSPECTIONS, CLEANING and RESTORATION CERTIFICATION at the recommendation of the FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY. These service standards are for professional cleaning and are recognized by nearly all carpet mills and carpet cleaning associations. INDUSTRY STANDARDS, PRACTICES & DEFINITIONS According to the S001-1994 CARPET CLEANING STANDARDS, in the glossary of terms it says the following: yellowing - A carpet condition that result from one of several possible sources, to include: dye loss, fume fading, general soiling, oil tracking, oxidation, stain-resist degradation, etc. According to the S001 - 1994 on pages 3 and 4 it says this concerning consumer responsibility for immediate spotting: 3. Immediate Spotting - Most spots can be removed easily if the excess is lifted or blotted and treated immediately by carpet owners with plain water, or with spotters containing mild (pH range of 5 to 9), dilute detergents that do not leave residue. If ignored those spots, or components thereof, may bond with fiber dye sites, forming permanent stains. Immediate spotting is an essential responsibility for home and business owners/managers. THE INSPECTOR'S ANALYSIS · Tuftex is correct regarding the non-use of BHT. · The ultra-violet light test eliminates urine, bleach, and atmospheric conditions as a cause of the yellowing. All of those conditions would have let the yellowing remain visible. · This leaves only the conditions of Stain Resist Degradation on the list of causes. Of these causes the Folex Spotting Agent is the common link to the yellowing. It is important to note that the claimant was required to do immediate spotting and according to the pH tests it revealed that the Folex is in compliance with industry standards. The Stain Resist test indicates that something is wrong with the stain resistance. CONCLUSION The yellowing in the carpet is due to the combination of mild alkaline reacting with stain resist materials, based upon 1. the tests performed 2. the rules given for spotting in the S001-1994 3. the background information. The Stain Resistance in the carpet in question is not performing according to industry standards and norms based upon: 1. the rules given for spotting in the S001-1994 2. the stain-resistance test RECOMMENDATIONS Replacement of the carpet is the most sound remedy for this problem. |