4 month carpet worn

Las20

Hi,

I purchased carpets throughout my house from SCS and had most of them fitted on 11th December. The last one was fitted a couple of weeks ago on my landing, the delay was due to some issues with my stairs. I had noticed the carpets that had been fitted in December had stated to show wear within a few weeks, and I asked various people’s opnions and everyone agreed the carpets were looking pretty bad.

I contacted scs and they sent one of their surveyors yesterday. He told me the cause was due to us not wearing shoes, and that the oils from our feet have damaged the pile! 🤢 I was shocked as I’ve never heard of this before, neither had my builders who were at my house at the time, and so I checked online after he left. I can see this is a “real” thing as there are carpet cleaning companies referring to it. However I’ve had many carpets and never worn shoes, so I’m confused as to why this would have happened and especially after such a short space of time. The carpets we have are the polypropylene, which are supposedly very durable.

He basically said there’s nothing we can do to make the carpet look any better, and if I’m unhappy to take it up with the company directly. I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d been wearing shoes, would that have been his reason for the wear? It feels like an easy get out to me. While I can see the bare feet issue is a real thing, I can’t find anything that states the length of time it would take to ruin a carpet. This carpet was apparently reduced at £17.99 per sq meter and we purchased quality underlay, so not the most expensive but not the cheapest either. I find it very difficult to accept any carpet would show wear after four months, and if that was a possibility then we should have been warned at time of purchase not to go bare foot. Has anyone else had this or got any advice for me? They will be coming back to me in seven days and I want to have as much info as possible.

I should also say I’ve had another carpet fitter take a look at it and he said this carpet looks like it’s three years old and he’s never seen one as bad so soon, he also felt it hadn’t been laid well.

Thanks so much!

LadyDee

I didn't think there were oil glands on the soles of your feet - just sweat glands, so decided to check - found I remembered my biology classes correctly.

In 50 years of house ownership, I've never worn anything on my feet. I've had top-end pure wool carpets right through to the cheapest carpets available, and no carpet has ever shown wear as you describe. My current carpet is 10 years old, it was very cheap and doesn't look worn at all.

Maybe they are using the wrong "surveyor".

neilmcl

This is a new one on me. Carpets being ruined for people NOT wearing shoes.

Las20

Hi LadyDee,

Thank you for the response, it all sounded remarkably fishy to me and my builders, also the fact the surveyor was an scs employee not independent only added to the doubt. I’m not sure where i go with it though, I will definitely use the info you’ve given me when they come back to me as part of my defence! Lol

Many thanks!

Las20

Hi neilmcl,

Everyone I’ve mentioned it to said the same! I don’t know anyone that’s had the same issue.

sheramber

There is an article stating that the claim that oils were released os wrong but that the sweat is the problem. It introduces moisture and bacteria onto the carpet.
Similar to what happens to the inside of your shoes.

Dust sticks to the moisture.

http://carterscarpet.com/better-wear-shoes-go-barefoot-carpet/

neilmcl

Any chance you could post some pics to give us an idea of the wear. You won't be able to post full links yet but just post without the http:// and someone will do the rest.

LadyDee

sheramber wrote: »

There is an article stating that the claim that oils were released os wrong but that the sweat is the problem. It introduces moisture and bacteria onto the carpet.
Similar to what happens to the inside of your shoes.

Dust sticks to the moisture.

http://carterscarpet.com/better-wear-shoes-go-barefoot-carpet/

Could be - but that doesn't mean the carpet will show any signs of wear in four months.

I would add that as well as never wearing shoes in the house, until recently I've also had a houseful of animals - multiple cats and dogs; and still my carpets have never worn out, so the dirt tracked in by dogs, cats and visitors hasn't had an effect on the wear of the carpet.

hollydays

Most of the ( few) links I found seemed to suggest the oil was from lotion put on the feet.

sheramber

Polypropylene does not get a very recommendation here

https://www.thespruce.com/olefin-polypropylene-carpet-fiber-2908797

daveyjp

Its probably the £3 sq m carpet they are currently advertising.