|
|
Yellowing from Defective Stain Resist in ResidenceThis report was written for the consumer.THE CARPET STYLE NAME & NUMBER: Stop Light FIBER PROTECTANTS Scotchgard® Stain Release FIBER/ ID METHOD: Nylon-Chemical FIBER HUE: White CONSTRUCTION: Tufted Cut Loop YARN STYLE: Saxony SQUARE YARDAGE: 91 BACK SYSTEM: Conventional Tufted PRIMARY BACKING: Polypropylene SECONDARY BACKING: Polypropylene THE INSTALLATION TYPE OF SITE: Residential METHOD: Stretch-In CUSHION: 1/2 Inch Rebond SUBFLOOR: HardWood AREA INSTALLED: Living-Room, Dining-Room, Family Room, Hallway, & 2 Bedrooms USE & MAINTENANCE INFORMATION AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION LITERATURE RECEIVED WITH PURCHASE: Just An Invoice TEMPERATURE: 67.3°F - 19.6° C RH 60% ADULTS: 1 - CHILDREN: 0 - PET(S): 0 DO THEY SMOKE? No SPOTTING AGENTS: Dish Washing Detergent VACUUM/FREQUENCY: Upright Three Times Of Week ENTRY-MATS: Yes SOIL: None Noticed HEATING TYPE: Floor Unit Gas COOLING TYPE: None CLEANING: See Report REASON FOR COMMISSION The carpet has reportedly yellowed. THE REPORT Site Conditions and Geographical Information The carpet was located in the claimant’s free standing single story house located in a residential neighborhood on the western edge of the Los Angeles Basin 7.5 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 No problems were noticed with the carpet until five months after the installation when the hallway and a spot in the living-room were steam cleaned. The spot in the living-room turned yellow and the cleaner replaced this section. Later the carpet began to turn yellow throughout the installation. The dealer commissioned an inspection and his report concluded that the yellowing was due to problems with the backing of rugs and paint that was accidentally spilt on the carpet. A letter from Steven Smith said that if a certified inspector could find results that said otherwise, his company would make restitution. DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM AREA BY THIS INSPECTOR The yellowing was throughout the installation. The spots were darker than the surrounding carpet. It was in trafficked area and non-trafficked area, under rugs and not under rugs and in all rooms where the carpet was installed. The shapes were globular with well defined edges that varied in sizes. The paint stain was found only in the master bed-room. ON-LOCATION 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 yellow spots disappeared under this light. Numerous moisture tests were performed using a Delmhorst Moisture Sensor. This test would indicate the presence of moisture in the area that was being tested. It is possible for water to be locked-up in salts compounds from residue from urine and other compounds long after the affected area has dried. The results of these tests revealed that the yellow spots had slight moisture readings. Numerous pH tests were taken using a digital type pH meter and a special low moisture probe that made direct contact with the face yarns. 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: affected areas 7.4 7.2 7.4 6.4 6.9 Ave. 7.06 non-affected areas 6.9 6.4 7.6 7.2 6.4 Ave. 6.9 An ammonium salts test was performed using a test kit from E. M Science. This test involved using a small portable hot water-extraction machine and distilled water. Ammonium salts are a by product of urine deposits. The water was tested prior and after the extraction was done. The results of this test revealed that there were no readings. A tannin spotter from The Ramsey Chemical line was applied to the affected area. The result of this test revealed that the yellowing disappeared. 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 carpet had little stain resistance, but could be made stain resist by DuPont products. THE ISSUE OF THIS REPORT The question is have been asked to address is: what has caused the carpet to yellow? GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATING THE ISSUE Yellowing occurs when: 1. problems are inherent in manufacturing 2. Butylated Hydroxy Toluene known as BHT, mixes with olefin and/or sulfonated phenol or acid dye blockers 3. acid dye blocker have been affected by ultra violet light 4. excessive alkalinity remains in contact with the acid dye blockers 5. certain types of light reflection come in contact with the carpet 6. oxides of sulfur or nitrogen are excessively strong in the atmosphere 7. a foreign substance has been spilled on the carpet that contains a pigment such as in the case of pet urine stains 8. there is a loss of color from some type of bleaching agent 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. THE INSPECTOR'S ANALYSIS Observations of the yellowing being darker than the surrounding carpet rules out a color loss from bleach. Yellowing from atmospheric conditions and ultra-violet light does not make sense based upon the problem being found under rugs and other objects not under rugs. Ultra-violet light and ammoniated salts testing rules out urine being a culprit. BHT yellowing does not yellow where seaming tape is located and there was no pattern like this noted in this installation. Moisture testing indicates that the yellowing is related to moisture and the connection is likely from the professional cleaning, however, pH testing rules out excessive alkalinity from being a culprit. Therefore the only indicator left is an undefined defect inherent in manufacturing. The stain resist test and the definition provided by the IICRC supports that lack of stain resistance being the cause of yellowing. CONCLUSION Based upon the stain resistance tests and the lack of supporting evidence of another culprit, the yellowing in the carpet in question was due to defects in the stain resistance inherent in manufacturing. |