Has my stair carpet worn out prematurely? And if so what can I do about it?

Adelaide_Alberta

Hello All,

I need some advice please.

Four years ago I had a 50 oz wool twist carpet (80% wool 20% synthetic) from an established carpet manufacturer with "top grade 9mm underlay" (waffle I think) put down on my stair, upper hallway and bedrooms. I think it cost about £25 per square metre and I presumed it was good quality as I paid extra for the 50 oz since I was told it was more hard-wearing! About six months ago I noticed that on the top step of the stairs (where your foot hits when you start to come down) the pile was flattening and starting to wear away. I called my carpet retailer and he said that was nothing unusual as the stairs always wear first. I asked him to come along and advise what I could do. He agreed to but never came.

Now the area at the top of the stairs is almost worn through and I notice the pile on all the treads is flattening and some wearing through where our feet touch when we come down the stairs. I called him again but he has no intention of coming or agreeing to premature wear. I called the manufacturer but they said I have to go through the retailer. I asked if the problem could have been caused by poor quality underlay but the guy on the phone said that would be very unlikely.

My first question is there any point trying to complain about this or should I just forget it? Am I expecting too much? A couple of friends have been surprised that my stair carpet has worn out so quickly. We are a family of three with no pets and no small kids. Since we have hardwood downstairs most of the time we are either wearing no shoes or slippers except for my husband who insists on wearing trainers - which I understand from carpet websites and other forums are bad for carpets. So I would say wear is about average if not less.

Second question is if I want to put down the same carpet again to match the hallway and bedrooms should I put down different underlay? I understand crumb is better. On the other hand the manufacturer said underlay was unlikely to be the problem. How can I find out?

Third question is if I decide not to put down the matching carpet what alternatives are there? I suppose wood would work. I would prefer carpet but how could I lay a different carpet on the stairs when I have the problem of the worn area at the top of stairs where the landing starts?

Fourth question is there any way of forcing the retailer (he is a small independent shop) to contact the manufacturer when he will not even come and look at it?

I would be grateful for any advice you have to offer.

jennifernil

Do carpets still have categories, like "contract", "heavy domestic", "light domestic"? If so, where does this carpet slot in?

For stairs, I would think you need "heavy domestic" quality. We have such a carpet on our stairs/landing, 80/20 wool twist , it has been down 23 years now and is barely worn. We NEVER wear shoes inside beyond the entrance hall, though we do allow visitors to keep theirs on!

Our living rooms are upstairs, so the stairs do get a lot of use. I would not be happy with a good quality carpet wearing through in 4 years.

If you cannot get anywhere with the retailer, I would try the manufacturer again and point out that the retailer will not co-operate.

paddy's_mum

Four years is no time at all.

A house that my husband and I sold in 1999 has just come back on the market. Out of curiosity, I looked at the photographs on the Rightmove link. All the rooms exept the lounge, where the new owners had a complete colour change, still have the good quality carpets down that I originally had installed a year or two before we sold.

I would accept that stairs take a bashing but we had three children living at home, and the current owners had two teenagers, so I think your retailer ought to be taking a look at the problem at the very least.

bifold

Duralay crumb rubber underlay is what I have(made from old lorry tyres)Its hard wearing and long lasting on stairs.You can get premature wear on the nosing part of the tread if you use waffle underlay.
Carpet flattening and wear are very different,Can you see the carpet backing?Have the tufts worn to a shorter length?.

Adelaide_Alberta

Bifold thanks for your help. I understand now that a different type of underlay would have helped the situation. I can almost see the carpet backing in the worst area so it is not just flattening. The tufts are definitely shorter. Looks like I will just to have it replaced.

Adelaide_Alberta

Jennifernil, the carpet was described as "heavy domestic". I talked to another retailer today who said most carpets are described as that now and it is no guarantee really. He also said the quality nowadays is nothing like years ago which your 23 year old carpet confirms. I remember my parents stair carpet lasting for years and years - wish mine had!

jm2926

I would WRITE to the retailer to complain, and if no satisfactory response/outcome talk to trading standards. They will be able to advise on your position for that type of product.

bifold

Adelaide_Alberta wrote: »

Bifold thanks for your help. I understand now that a different type of underlay would have helped the situation. I can almost see the carpet backing in the worst area so it is not just flattening. The tufts are definitely shorter. Looks like I will just to have it replaced.

I would write to the retailer and insist on a inspection,If your carpet is truly 80/20 wool 50 oz twist in a domestic home you should expect a far longer life.(I used to run a carpet shop ten years ago)
your other option if your carpet in your bedroom are the same use the smallest rooms carpet to replace the stair carpet,and re-carpet the room .

alanfp

I'm not an expert..

but bifold seems to know what he's talking about.

I believe that some carpet warehouse retailers use Duralay crumb rubber in their show-rooms where they have a lot of foot traffic and are always moving their stands about. If it's good enough for them.... (by the way, it looks a lot more robust than the stuff that's made of old furniture innards).

Have a look online for underlay mail order.

The idea of re-doing the stairs from spare is also good...you don't need much carpet to do stairs, and it's done say 4 stairs at a time with 'off-cuts' so you may even have some spare lying about in your shed, perhaps.

ListysDad

Its my understanding, but bifold will let me know if I'm wrong, that carpet is a) generally only as good as its underlay and b) the best underlay is still felt with a granulated rubber bottom. From what fitters have told me, that type is still the only one that will last and not breakup/down over time.

For a superb source of such underlay, try https://www.lcw-underlay.com I bought 10 rolls when we moved into our house and have fitted it under laminate flooring AND real oak flooring so it's both toastie and quiet!

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

paddy's_mum wrote: »

Four years is no time at all.

A house that my husband and I sold in 1999 has just come back on the market. Out of curiosity, I looked at the photographs on the Rightmove link. All the rooms exept the lounge, where the new owners had a complete colour change, still have the good quality carpets down that I originally had installed a year or two before we sold.

I would accept that stairs take a bashing but we had three children living at home, and the current owners had two teenagers, so I think your retailer ought to be taking a look at the problem at the very least.

I must be odd because I think four years is around the lifetime of a carpet especially on the stairs.
I have the same type of carpet on the stairs as the OP and have just had it changed after three and a half years.
There are only the two of us live here too and we don't wear shoes in the house but there are two particular stairs that seem to wear out more than the others.
This time round I bought a few extra mtrs of carpet so I can have those stairs re-laid when necessary.
I reckon that should save me quite a lot in the long run.