Consumer Tips and Facts
Comfort, beauty,
warmth—no other household purchase better communicates the style
and tone of your home. Carpet is an investment that will last
a long time. Proper installation and regular maintenance are essential
in enhancing your carpet’s performance. The Carpet & Rug Institute
has compiled the following useful information to help you preserve
your investment.
Installation
A quality installation is critical to the performance of your
carpet and will protect your indoor air quality. When
having your carpet installed, the Carpet and Rug Institute advises
obtaining the services of an installation contractor who adheres
to the Standard for Installation of Commercial Carpet, CRI
104, for all aspects of the installation.
Before
Installation
Have a clear understanding of the services the retailer will
provide and be aware of those that you must handle. For example,
there may be an additional charge to move your furniture. Discuss
with the retailer who will remove the existing carpet and cushion
and be responsible for disposal. Placement of seams is important.
Ask that seams be placed in less visible areas. Request that the
installer follow the instructions from the carpet manufacturer
and/or those set forth in the Standard for Installation of
Residential Carpet, accepted by the industry. Don’t
expect seams to be invisible.
Before the
installers arrive, complete other remodeling projects intended
in the room, such as painting and wallpapering. Vacuum the old
carpet to avoid the possibility of airborne dust and dirt. After
the carpet and cushion are removed, vacuum the sub-floor.
When
Carpet is Delivered
Check its texture, color, and style; make sure there are no
visible defects before installation. Be sure the
installer will adhere to the Standard for Installation of Residential
Carpet, CRI 105. Among other things, it requires for proper
installation that carpet must be power-stretched
to minimize wrinkling and rippling. Seam edges must
be sealed with appropriate adhesive to prevent delamination and
edge ravel. Buying your carpet from an authorized "Seal of Approval"
retailer will ensure a professional installation.
During
Installation
New, thicker carpet may prevent doors from swinging clear
and free. The installer will remove the doors and re-hang them
if possible. If the doors do not clear, arrange to have them trimmed.
It is your responsibility to provide an adequate supply of fresh
air during installation. Open windows and doors, use an exhaust
fan, or operate the fan of your heating or air conditioning system.
After
Installation
Vacuum your carpet to remove loose fibers. You may notice
a slight new carpet smell, which should dissipate quickly. Ventilate
the area for 48 to 72 hours. If you are unusually sensitive to
odors or allergy-prone, you may want to avoid the installation
area during this period. If you have any questions about this,
contact your retailer.
In the months following installation,
you may notice these characteristics:
- SHEDDING—the
shedding of loose fibers is normal and should subside with regular
vacuuming.
- SPROUTING—if
a single tuft extends beyond the carpet’s surface, simply clip
it off. Do not pull it out.
- PILE REVERSAL
OR SHADING—a color change that seems to occur in various parts
of the carpet, caused by light being reflected in different
ways, as pile fibers are bend in different directions. This
is not a defect but a characteristic of plush carpet.
- WRINKLING—if
ripples persist, call your retailer. It may be necessary to
professionally re-stretch the carpet.
Common
sense recommendations for installing new carpet:
- Install
a carpet with CRI's Indoor air Quality Carpet Testing Program
label, indicating that the product type has been tested and
meets the low TVOC emissions criteria.
- When the
carpet is to be glued down (not usually in residential applications),
ask the installer to use an adhesive displaying the CRI's Indoor
Air Quality Adhesive Testing Program label, indicating that
it has been tested and meets the low TVOC emissions criteria.
- Vacuum
the old carpet prior to removal and the floor after the old
carpet and cushion has been removed to minimize airborne dust
and other particulates.
- Ventilate
with fresh air (open windows, operate a fan, and/or run the
fan of the heat/air system continuously) during the removal
of the old carpet and the installation of the new carpet, and
for 48 to 72 hours after installation.
- Use a professional
installer and confirm that the minimum industry-accepted installation
standards of CRI 104 and/or CRI 105 are followed.
- Those who
consider themselves unusually sensitive or prone to allergic
reactions may wish to leave the premises while the old carpet
is being removed and the new carpet installed, and for 48 to
72 hours afterward.
In general, follow
the same common sense ventilation precautions used when painting,
wallpapering, or renovating any area of the home.
