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, CRI 105,
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.
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| 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.
From the Carpet
and Rug Institute
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