Advice

Regular Maintenance

To keep your carpet looking good, you should vacuum it regularly and more frequently in the first few months (minimum once a week) and in high traffic areas (minimum twice a week). The intensity of traffic must be clearly identified, as areas with greater traffic require a higher cleaning frequency (2-3 times per week). It is essential to use a vacuum cleaner with a rotating brush to obtain best results, as this type of vacum cleaner removes dirt efficiently through its mechanical action. To prevent fine dust from being released back into the air, the vacuum cleaner must be equipped with an efficient filter.

For LOOP PILE carpets a cylinder type vacuum cleaner is recommended in that it does not have driven, rotating brushes that can cause ‘fuzzing’ of the surface. With most cylinder types, the brushes on the head may be retracted for cleaning carpet (and should anyway, only be used for hard floors). It is recommended that consumers use a cleaner with high suction power (determined by wattage of motor) and with a large head so that a greater surface area may be covered more easily.

For CUT PILE carpets it is essential to use a vacuum cleaner with a rotating brush to obtain best results, as this type of vacum cleaner removes dirt efficiently through its mechanical action. To prevent fine dust from being released back into the air, the vacuum cleaner must be equipped with an efficient filter.

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Periodic Maintenance

To ensure your carpet retains its appearance and to maximize its lifespan, thorough cleaning is periodically required to remove the deepest soil. Depending on usage carpet should be professionally steam cleaned every 12 to 18 months. Oily, sticky soil and well-settled soil that vacuums are unable to remove causes gradual but significant dulling of colours. To remove and revitalize your carpet, use hot water extraction cleaning (steam cleaning). Steam cleaning should only be undertaken by a professional carpet cleaner. Shampooing, do-it-yourself steam cleaning or dry cleaning is not recommended.

We recommend you contact a professional cleaner to carry out this work. When having a carpet professionally cleaned, use a reputable company and check references fully.

REMOVE SPILLS IMMEDIATELY

• Tackle spillages and stains immediately, don’t leave them until later or allow them to dry.
• Blot away all the liquid stain with dry kitchen towel or a clean white dry cloth.
• Semi-solid substances should be removed with a plastic spatula.
• Remember to be patient – don’t rub vigorously or over-soak the stain.
• Always work from the outside of the stain inwards to minimise it spreading.
• To clean off any remaining stains, blot with a clean, damp cloth.

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Appearance Retention

All carpets will change in appearance over time, primarily due to foot traffic. Matting generally occurs as a result of pile flattening together with the entanglement of fibres tuft to tuft. It occurs in all tufted carpets to some degree, but is more likely to occur in high traffic areas. This may result in the loss of sharpness of the carpet pattern. Though induced by wear, it is often caused by underlay failure, improper maintenance, including inadequate vacuuming or inappropriate or ineffective treatment of spots and spills. It is not considered a manufacturing fault unless it happens rapidly or to an unacceptable degree. Fuzzing or blooming is caused due to the tips of the fibres in a cut pile carpet losing a degree of yarn twist over time. Most apparent in traffic areas or in front of chairs, this isnormal and should be expected. Generally fuzzing can be corrected by shearing away the cobweb of fibres on the installed carpet with use of a cropping tool.

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Colour Variation

It is normal for installed carpet to show minor colour variation from store samples or minor variations between production runs and dye lots. This is common in all wool carpets where the blend of wools can vary from lot to lot. Our quality assurance program seeks to minimize potential for variance and ensure any variation is within recognised textile industry standards. Colour appearance can vary depending on the type of light under which a sample is viewed and the light sources where the carpet is installed. Viewing of the sample at your residence and under as many different light conditions as possible prior to making your final decision is recommended.

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Crush Marks

Crush Marks refer to noticeable light and dark areas, often in strips. This is more likely to occur with the plusher pile carpets and is caused by the weight of the carpet in a large roll pressing down on the layers underneath and bending the fibres. It can also happen when two pieces that have been rolled at different tightness are laid next to each other. Over time and with regular vacuuming and general foot traffic, this effect will diminish, though it can take 3-6 months or so for the marks to disappear entirely. This is not considered a manufacturing defect.

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Fading

All CAUSEWAY carpets meets all industry standards. However, carpets like all other dyed textiles, will slowly lose colour over time when exposed to direct sunlight. Carpet should be protected from prolonged periods of direct sunlight with curtains, blinds, shades, or awnings and furniture moved periodically to expose all areas evenly. Colour change can also occur as the result of ozone, emissions from heating fuels and air conditioners, pesticides, cleaning agents, benzol peroxide, and other household items. Care should be taken when using these items. The occurrence, known as ozone damage, is largely unexplained, but appears to be more prevalent in coastal areas with a high ultra-violet content. Some colours are more susceptible than others. If you believe there maybe a risk of ozone damage, please discuss your choice with your retailer. It is not considered to be a manufacturing defect and does not effect the performance of the carpet.

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Fading on Wool

Carpets made from wool can and do fade in use. The degree of fade can vary depending on the colour chosen and the local conditions to which the carpet is subjected.Fading can be caused by exposure to ultra violet light which is found in daylight, but is accelerated when sunlight shines directly onto the carpet. This has the effect of lightening or “Bleaching” the colour just as exposure to sunlight will lighten human hair. Wool is after all animal hair. Protection should be given to carpets exposed to such conditions just as you would protect other furniture or fabrics.

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Fluffing

Fluffing or balls of fluff is completely natural on a new carpet. These are loose bits a fibre leftover from the manufacturing process. The fluff will appear in your vacuum bag the first few times but it is not harmful in any way.

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Indentations From Heavy Furniture

Place furniture cups under the legs of heavy furniture and regularly shift the furniture a few inches one way or another to give the pile a chance to recover. To revive flattened pile you can use a warm steam iron over a towel laid on top of the carpet. Hold the steam iron gently to the towel and use the control to inject steam do not press the iron down on the towel as this could leave gloss marks on the carpet underneath.

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Matching

For technical reasons it is not possible to obtain an exact colour match between different widths, we therefore recommend that installations are made from one width wherever possible and we cannot accept responsibility for mismatching in installations made up from different widths. Edge to edge matching of tufted patterned carpet cannot be undertaken.

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Missing or Damaged Tufts

Tufts may be damaged or identified as missing following stretching of the carpet during installation, damage caused by pets scratching or the moving of furniture. In the case of loop pile carpets, lengthwise tufts can be pulled from the backing. Sprouts, or snagged tufts, can be easily trimmed without damaging the carpet and missing or damaged tufts can be easily replaced by retufting. These can be readily fixed on site by a skilled installer or carpet professional. It is recommended a small piece of spare carpet be retained to provide a source of additional tufting yarn.

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Pattern Matching/Bowing & Skewing

CAUSEWAY uses the best available techniques to minimise pattern distortion during manufacture. Occasionally some distortion due to shrinkage or stretch during and after manufacture is unavoidable. Repeating patterns may not precisely match along the length or width of carpet or from one production run to another. Installation methods and site and storage conditions can also contribute to instability in the pattern, such that a perfect pattern match cannot be guaranteed. Installation of patterned carpet requires more time and effort which should be considered in the original labour quotation. A competent carpet layer should be able to obtain a close pattern match in most circumstances. However some irregularities may still be visible. If concerned, please discuss further with your retailer and/or carpet layer. All carpets are subject to some degree of bowing and/or skewing. Bowing of up to 40 mm over any single width of carpet is generally acceptable.

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Pile Pressure

All cut pile carpets, especially plain colours are liable to shading, that is to show light and dark patches arising from unequal crushing of the surface pile. No care on the part of the manufacturer can obviate these tendencies which are inherent in all pile fabrics. Nor can we accept any responsibility in connection with the same.

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Pile Reversal (Shading & Disturbance)

Light can play strange tricks with carpet. From certain angles particular areas appear lighter or darker than others. This is caused by disturbed pile reflecting the light differently in the affected areas. This is a feature of cut pile carpets notably of a solid colour. Temporary changes in appearance maybe able to be removed or lessened by vacuuming or brushing of the pile. However, in fine cut pile carpets, permanent pile reversal (shading, watermarking or puddling) can also occur, and at times may become quite severe. Years of research and inquiry have failed to find a reason to explain the underlying cause such that it is considered a phenomenon related to the location of the carpet which cannot be predicted or prevented. It is not a manufacturing defect and apart from affecting appearance, has no detrimental effect on the performance of the carpet. As this characteristic can affect the appearance of a carpet, you are advised to discuss this with your retailer when considering your purchase.

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Pilling

Pilling can sometimes occur on wool loop pile and wool blend carpets. The expression is used to describe the little balls of fibres which collect on the pile surface. Is caused by the tearing or breaking of the top fibres of the loop by abrasive action on the surface of the surface of the carpet resulting in a ‘fuzzy’ appearance, usually in the main areas of usage (i.e.) doorways, turns, stairs, etc. Pilling is not classified as a manufacturing defect within the flooring industry but is due to local conditions in situ beyond our control. Pilling can easily be removed with a sharp blade or hand cropper.

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Shedding

Shedding is a normal characteristic of cut-pile carpets, particularly staple or spun yarn products. It is caused by some of the outside fibres of yarn bundles becoming detached during early carpet wear stages. This will not affect durability. Regular cleaning with a vacuum fitted with a beater bar will remove most of the loose fibres during the few months.

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Shift Lines

Shift lines are parallel lines appearing on the surface of patterned loop pile carpets at regular intervals due to the nature of carpet construction. Lines may be more apparent with “large” designs or patterns. Colour, directional pile lay and light sources are also contributing factors. Certain light sources shining across the carpet may accentuate these lines in the form of shadowing. This is not a manufacturing defect and will not affect the carpet’s wear or durability.

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Shrinkage

CAUSEWAY cannot accept responsibility for the shrinkage of any carpet which has not been secured firmly to the floor, nor any carpets installed in an area subject to excessive moisture (e.g. bathrooms, toilets, kitchens). Double sided tape will not prevent shrinkage.

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Sprouting

Sprouting refers to a single tuft rising up from the pile surface. DO NOT pull the tuft. These can be safely trimmed with scissors without affecting the appearance. If you have a loop pile however, do not cut it. A professional repair is advised.

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Tracking vs. Permanent Shading

“Tracking” is the imprint left by footprints on your carpet which is more common on the plusher cut pile surfaces and disappears with vacuuming. Carpet is most prone to tracking in high traffic areas and should be given extra attention during routine vacuum cleaning. All cut pile carpets will develop lighter or darker patches over time known as “shading” or “watermarking.” it is caused by the permanent bending of the carpet pile fibres which then reflect the light differently, much like velvet. The extent to which shading occurs cannot be accurately predicted or prevented and is most often related to the location of use rather than the type of carpet construction. Shading does not affect the wear or durability of the carpet and is not recognized as a manufacturing flaw or defect.

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Treatment After Installation

Claims will not be accepted for carpet which has been treated after installation with any protective material, nor defects or damage due to the application of any topical treatments (including fungicides, bactericides, biocides, anti-static, stain resists, cleaning agents etc) which has adversely affected the soil resistance, stain resistance and/or other attributes of the carpet.

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Wrinkling

Wrinkling may occur after installation due to excessive humidity, iinadequate underlay or unsatisfactory installation procedures, especially relative to power stretching. A competent installer can usually correct this problem.

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