Carpet watermarking

bob_a_builder

Has anyone else suffered a problem of water marking after having carpets fitted ?

We had a new carpet fitted, after 6 months unusual patterns /patches developed in the pile - the patches do not correspond with the normal walking path i.e human traffic on the carpet

Some of it has been replaced, but now the replacement is showing same issue again in different places

The carpet industry seem to be fully aware of it and call it water marking or pooling but seem to want to wash their hands of the problem
http://www.carpetinspector.com/members/RayMorgan.htm

I was given no warning that this might be an issue with the carpet I had chosen when I purchased and as such consider the carpet to be unsuitable/unsatisfactory/unfit for purpose

Has anyone tried the small claims court procedure to get a refund ?

Annie1960

I've never heard of this, and none of my carpets has ever been affected.

Before going down small claims route, have you discussed the problem with the suppliers?

How did you pay? If my credit card you could look at the section 75 route, and if by debit card then you could investigate a chargeback.

Before that, however, does the supplier belong to any of the carpet industry bodies you could discuss this with? It should be on their headed paper/invoice if they have such membership.

bob_a_builder

A very similar cut pile carpet was previously in place for nearly 20 years without showing any such issue

Unfortunately paid by bank transfer : going to have to stop doing that !

The shop does display the Carpet Foundation logo ...

And from their code of practice

It does state - "Consumers will be made aware of the special issues relating to potential pile reversal cases."

we were not ! - so that may be one avenue

Edit : checking the small print on back of quotation does make mention of pile reversal and does say "this is not a fault"

JEN22

Non of my carpets have had this

bob_a_builder

None of mine have had it before in 3 different houses over 40 years either - but we are where we are, and we have it now !

It seems if you buy a carpet manufactured by ( not sold by) a "carpet foundation" member they will guarantee against it for 2 years

Odd that its not a fault then ?

Mr_Poves

If you mean shading and pile reversal it's a normal characteristic of most cutpile carpets , best way around is go for wool twist but not cheap .

bob_a_builder

Here is a picture of my 'characteristic', which the carpet industry doesn't think is a problem

The problem does not show at fitting time, but takes about a month to show

Would they put up with it in their home ?

Feeling_Blue

Most UK manufacturers will change the carpet if it happens within a two year period. They only do this once. The reason it is not regarded as a fault is that no one knows what causes it. It could happen in one house, but the same carpet may perform differently in another. The manufacturers accept this, hence the two year period. After that they usually say it is due to local conditions.

The best way to avoid is using 2-ply wool yarn or higher quality wool. Pile reversal usually occurs in single ply twist or velvet carpets.

bob_a_builder

best way around is go for wool twist but not cheap .

This is a 50oz wool twist carpet !