You are here: Services > Forms & Policies > Flooring Performance

 

 

Flooring Performance
(Or, how to get past the warranties, performance ratings and mumbo jumbo to figure out what to expect from YOUR floor)
 
Carpet
 
1.     Seams
 
  • Seams are never guaranteed to be invisible.
  • Some carpets hide seams better than others. The general rule is that the longer and more textured the yarn, the easier it is to hide the seam. Looped carpet (berber), patterned carpet, and velvet plush carpet are the most difficult seams to hide.
  • Seams should not unravel or pull apart.
  • In general, seams are placed out of major walkways, away from walls full of windows, and underneath furniture whenever possible.
  • Fantastic Floors & Interiors will always measure your rooms to have the least amount of seams as possible, with the best placement possible. This may increase your square footage slightly, but your carpet will look better for longer if you have as few seams as possible.
 
2. Staining and Soiling
 
  • There is no such thing as STAIN PROOF carpet.
  • If your carpet cushion/pad does not have a moisture barrier, STAINS CAN COME BACK. They can remain in the pad and reappear in the carpet after a cleaning.
  • Some stain/soil warranties have exclusions like mustard, coffee, tea, etc.
  • Use the appropriate stain removal guide for your carpet. Each carpet and stain is different!
  • Staining is not the same as dirt. Clean your carpet regularly.
  • Most warranties require PROOF OF PROFESSIONAL cleaning by a CRI certified cleaner every 24 months to uphold the warranty requirements. Visit www.IICRC.org for a listing of CRI certified carpet cleaners and keep your receipt in case you do have a warranty issue.
  • Stain removal takes time! First, blot the stain with a white cloth. Then use plain water on a damp cloth until you are no longer removing any more of the stain. Don’t use anything else without referring to your stain removal guide! The “old wives’ tales” about what removes stains no longer apply, because the fiber you carpet is made from is most likely different than what you had even 10 years ago.
 
3. Wear
 
  • All carpet will begin to show wear over time, especially in high traffic areas.
  • The more you vacuum your carpet, the better it will look.
  • When looking for a vacuum, choose one with adjustable height settings and an option to turn off your beater bar. Inexpensive vacuums do loose suction over time, so they may need to be replaced more frequently.
  • Different types of carpet show wear in different ways. Some yarn “blossoms”, some flatten, some untwist.
  • Manufacturer warranties vary on what they consider to be texture retention loss, and what costs they will cover if loss is discovered. Some warranties are pro-rated after a few years, which means you will get a credit for a certain percentage of the replacement costs. Once you have chosen a carpet, if you have any questions about what is covered, please ask!
 
4. Installation is Everything!
 
  • Every carpet will fail without proper installation. Our installers are all certified as Master Level carpet installers and have a minimum of 10 years of experience.
  • A poor installation can result in wrinkles, peaking or fraying seams, uneven patterns or edges, and improperly installed stairways.
  • Keep in mind that though many Do-it-yourselfers install tile, wood or laminate floors, few attempt carpet installations. The expertise of carpet installers is invaluable for your investment.
  • Fantastic Floors & Interiors does NOT hire installers from a work pool. We have a personal relationship with all our installers, and your salesperson will hand-select the installer that is right for your project. We guarantee their work and professionalism for the LIFE OF YOUR CARPET.
 
5. Ask Questions, Keep Warranties
 
  • If you are unsure what your warranty covers, ask your salesperson! They are the experts, and will be able to answer all your questions.
  • You will receive a ‘Prescription for Maintenance” as well as manufacturer’s warranty information and stain removal guide with your carpet purchase from Fantastic Floors & Interiors. Keep this information handy, in case of emergency spills.
  • If you are at all concerned with how your carpet is wearing, contact us at Fantastic Floors & Interiors. We’re here to help, and will contact the manufacturer for you if necessary.