Avoid Common Carpet Problems

So you've gone through the long, arduous process of choosing just the right color, fiber and construction of your carpet. The installer spent a whole day in your home, and you finally have your beautiful, brand new flooring installed. But what is that smell? And are those wrinkles in the carpet?
The following list describes some of the biggest problems carpet owners run into, along with practical solutions.
First-year Carpet Problems

• Shedding and Sprouting - Some types of carpets will shed balls of "fluff" throughout their first year. This is normal and should not be a cause for concern, since these balls are generally too large to become airborne. Sprouting occurs when a tuft happens to rise above the pile of the carpet. Sprouting is also common during the first year, but can also occur throughout the life of the carpet. Solution: Carpet should gradually stop shedding after one year. Vacuum regularly to shorten the amount of time your carpet sheds. If you find a sprouting carpet tuft, cut it to size with a pair of scissors. You could damage your carpet if you try to vacuum or pull it.


• Odor - When carpet is installed, it is very normal for a slight odor to linger for a couple of days. This odor may either come from the removal of the old carpet or the adhesives used during installation of the new carpet. Solution: To help the odor dissipate, open all windows and run some fans. Running your home's heating or air conditioning unit can also help.


• Wrinkles and Buckles - If carpet is improperly installed, it may ripple, buckle or wrinkle. This is not normal, and should immediately be corrected. Solution: Contact your carpet installer, and have them fix your carpet by using a power stretcher. It is best to check for defects before the installer leaves to make corrections easier. Do not let anyone tell you that wrinkles or buckles are normal.

Long-term Carpet Problems

• Crushing - Over time, foot traffic and heavy furniture can crush carpet fibers. While a certain amount of crushing is normal for all types of carpets, some carpets like acrylic can be crushed more easily than others. Solution: You can fight carpet crushing by vacuuming heavy traffic areas often. You'll also want to move heavy furniture a few inches on a regular basis or put down furniture coasters.


• Color Loss/Yellowing - Fading, color loss and yellowing can be caused by several factors including sunlight, atmospheric gases and cleaning chemicals. Solution: Protect your carpet from fading and yellowing by keeping it away from dangerous chemicals and shielding it from UV radiation. You should also invest in window drapes, colorfast carpet or even UV window protection. Make sure you protect your carpet from color loss, because it is usually impossible to reverse.


• Staining - Stains can occur even in carpet that is generally resistant to staining and soiling. Treat all stains as quickly as possible for best results. Solution: The good news is that even the toughest stains can generally be erased when treated correctly. Visit our carpet stain removal guide to learn more about how to treat stains in different types of carpets.

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