Installation
CARPET: 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 and Rug Institute has compiled the following useful
information to help you preserve your carpet investment.
INSTALLATION: A quality installation is critical to the
performance of your carpet and will protect your indoor air quality.
BEFORE INSTALLATION: Have a clear understanding of the
services the retailer will provide and be aware of those that you must handle. For
example, while most installers will usually move your furniture, there may be an
additional charge. Discuss with the retailer who will remove the existing carpet and
cushion and who will 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 the accepted industry standards.
Before the installers arrive, complete other remodeling projects intended in the room,
such as painting and wall-papering. Vacuum the old carpet to avoid the possibility of
airborne dust and dirt. After the carpet and cushion are removed, vacuum the sub-floor.
DURING INSTALLATION: Upon delivery, inspect the new carpet
for proper color, texture, and style and ensure that it is free of visible defects before
it is installed. Carpet should be power stretched to minimize wrinkles and ripples. 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 during installation to provide an adequate supply of
fresh air, as with other renovation projects. Open windows and doors, use an exhaust fan,
or operate the fan of your heating or air conditioning system.
AFTER INSTALLATION: Vacuum your carpet after installation 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 NEXT FEW MONTHS: In the months following installation,
you may notice some of the following common carpet characteristics. These are all normal
and will not affect the carpet's life or beauty in any way.
Shedding (loose fibers) - This is normal and subsides within a short time with
vacuuming.
Sprouting - A single tuft extending beyond the carpet surface, usually along walls
or at seams. Simply clip it off - do not pull.
Pile reversal and shading - Describes what seems to be a color change in various
parts of the carpet. The same area may appear light when viewed from one direction and
dark from another. This is caused by light being reflected in different ways as pile
fibers are bent in various directions. This is not a product defect, but rather a
characteristic of plush carpet.
Buckling and wrinkling - May sometimes occur in wall-to-wall carpet installations.
If the ripples persist, call your retailer, as it may be necessary to professionally
restretch the carpet. |
