What To Expect After New Carpet Installation

New Carpet: What To Expect After Installation

You have spent weeks, maybe even months, picking out the perfect carpet to suit your home and lifestyle. And now the time has finally arrived. It is installation day!  

We are just as excited as you are, but now that your carpet has been installed, you may notice a few changes in the coming weeks. Here is how to know if what you’re seeing is normal, or if you should call your flooring professional.

Shedding

Balls of fluff or loose fibers floating around? Do not worry, that is totally normal. Your new carpet is not unraveling. It just contains some fiber tips sheared in the manufacturing process to achieve uniform pile height. This “shedding” will minimize over time with regular vacuuming.

Sprouting

On close inspection, you might see an occasional “sprout” or snag lifting above the carpet surface. This can be caused by pet nails, high heels, furniture, or even vacuuming. Do not pull on it, that could damage your carpet. Simply snip the tuft with scissors to match the existing pile height. Problem solved!

Seams

Carpet rolls typically are 12 ft. in width so seams are expected in most rooms. However, the visibility of the seams depends on the texture and color of your carpeting as well as the lighting and furniture placement.

Filtration Soiling

As your carpet begins to age, you may notice grayish lines around baseboards, under doors, near HVAC vents and along the edges of stairs. This is filtration soiling, and it happens on carpet fibers in areas with a concentrated flow of air over the carpet.  

This issue is not a carpet defect, nor is it a result of the quality of carpet selected. It is the result of your air filtration system. The good news is that changing air filters regularly and vacuuming consistently can help minimize filtration soiling.

Buckling and Wrinkling

Carpet buckling occurs when the underside of carpet becomes detached from the adhesive. This can be caused by dragging heavy objects across the carpet, an increase in temperature, humidity or excess wetting during cleaning. 

If you notice any buckling or wrinkling in your carpet, be sure to contact a professional right away.