|
PROBLEM |
DESCRIPTION |
CAUSE |
SOLUTION |
FILTRATION
MARKS |
Dark
line around room perimeter, stair edges, under doorways and drapery |
The effect of doors and windows opening, elevator movement,
furnace starting etc. that cause changes in room air pressure. Air is forced into wall
cavities or under doors filtering airborne particulate through the carpet
fibers. |
Permanent
solution is to seal the walls or floor. Filtration lines are very difficult to clean and
can quickly return if the area is not sealed. Interim solution is to spot-clean the
problem areas. |
CELLULOSIC BROWNING |
Spotty
brownish appearance in parts of the carpet. |
Carpet has been over-wet causing vegetable dye that is present in
jute backing to wick to the surface. |
Acid
rinse the carpet or topically spray a souring agent. |
SOIL WICKING |
Brownish
to yellowish discoloration of the carpet or a yellowish color on the tips of the
fibers. |
The moisture in the cleaned carpet pulls residual soil up to the
tips of the fibers. Usually occurs in a heavily soil-compacted area or in an area that has
taken an extended period of time to dry. |
Bonnet
clean with a mild neutral pH cleaner. |
HIGH pH |
Yellowish
to brownish discoloration on the carpet |
Caused by alkaline residue build-up from cleaning chemicals,
improper rinsing of the fibers or ice melting compounds. |
Test
to determine the pH of the carpet. Select an acidic rinse with opposite acidic value to
balance the pH at 7. |
TRAFFIC LANES DISCOLORATION |
Dark
areas or graying in areas which receive the highest level of foot traffic. |
Scratches and abrasions to the fiber
(level loop) matting,
flaring or tip compression (cut pile). |
This
is not reversible and is not a warranty item. |
OPTICAL BRIGHTENERS |
Gradually
evolving yellow discoloration. Carpet slowly losing its color to a yellowish tinge. Ionic
optical brighteners are agents used to convert invisible ultraviolet light to visible
light, which increases apparent brightness. |
Ionic optical brighteners found in some cleaning compounds
applied to the carpet |
Avoid
use of ionic optical brighteners. Not possible to reverse once damage is done. |
ASPHALT YELLOWING |
Yellowing
of carpet in traffic areas around entrances and exits especially from parking or street
areas. |
Caused by asphalt sealers, tar or oil. Particularly frequent
during hot seasons, fresh coatings or from asphalt being dissolved by coolants, gasoline
or similar solvents. |
Very
difficult to remove. Use entrance mats to reduce problem. Solvent-based cleaner to
remove from the carpet. |
WATER STAINS |
Shows
as a lighter area on the carpet surrounded by a darker ring. |
Occurs when liquid is spilled on the carpet. The spill pushes the
contaminants that are present in the carpet to the edge of spill where they dry. |
Extract
or bonnet clean with a mild acidic solution. |
SHADING, POOLING & CARPET
NAP REVERSAL |
Carpet
appears to have different colored sections. Sometimes looks like a waterline. |
Fibers in cut pile carpet lie in different directions usually as
a result of an installation defect. |
This
is not reversible. Carpet producers do not warranty this. |
REFLECTION & SHADOWS |
Carpet
has light or dark spots in random locations. |
Light reflections from a non-obvious light source (e.g. pinholes
in draperies, reflection from shiny objects, shiny kick plates in elevators and corners in
buildings.) |
Change
light or reflective sources. |
WEAR |
Carpet
looks worn or old. |
Reduction
in the amount of fiber on the face of the carpet. |
Replace
carpet. |
