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Common Carpet Problems This article
will list some common carpet problems and what can be done about them.
Traffic Lane Gray
Traffic lane gray is the term used to describe carpet that looks darker
where there is the most traffic. If your carpet looks gray or dingy even
after a good cleaning, this could be your problem. The individual carpet
fibers that make up each tuft are designed to reflect light. As the carpet
is worn, the fiber reflects less light and appears darker from a distance.
This problem is caused by wear. Dirt acts as an abrasive actually
scratching your carpet as you walk on it. This problem is not correctable
but it can be prevented by having your carpet cleaned often and
rearranging furniture from time to time to change the flow of traffic
through your rooms.
Pile Reversal
Pile reversal is a characteristic of cut pile carpet. If your carpet
has a wavy line down it or appear darker on one side of the room than the
other with a clearly defined border this may be your problem. What has
happened is that the carpet tufts have actually shifted and are laying the
opposite direction. If you move your hand across a pile carpet you will
see that it changes colors and will become lighter or darker. With pile
reversal the carpet fibers have shifted giving you this effect. Pile
reversal is not considered a defect of carpet. It is merely a
characteristic of pile carpeting and is uncorrectable.
Filtration Lines
Filtration lines occur around the edges of walls and underneath doors.
If you have a black or gray line around your room or under a door, this is
most likely your problem. They are caused by your HVAC system. As air is
forced into the room from your heating and air conditioning system it
creates pressure in the room. To equalize this air pressure, the air flows
underneath walls and doors. The carpet along this area will act like a
filter trapping these fine particles of dust and soot. Most homes will get
filtration lines and they are difficult to remove but can be improved with
carpet cleaning. You can help prevent them by leaving doors open for air
to travel through and by making sure your heating system is well
maintained.
Candle Lines
Candle lines are caused by of course candles. Do you have a black or
gray line around your furniture? When candles burn, they produce soot
which will settle around furniture and draperies leaving an outline. They
essentially create smoke damage which is difficult to remove but a good
carpet cleaner can substantially if not completely remove them. Similar
damage can be caused by a poorly adjusted mixture on your gas heater or a
fireplace flue that is not venting correctly. To help prevent candle
damage, keep wicks cut down and try to buy higher quality candles that
don't contain lead in the wick. |