FAQs
- What types of customers have you worked with?
Why does my carpet buckle? I am asked all the time about why carpet buckles or ripples a few years after it is installed. Several things can cause buckling, the wrong cushion, moving furniture or high humidity. However, it is my observation that improper installation is the number one cause of carpet buckling in our area. Proper installation can remedy carpet buckling before it starts. Carpet buckling is usually caused by swelling of the carpet structure due to the effect of moisture on a carpet structure component, that component being "latex". It is this substance which is used to bond the various elements of the carpet structure. This material is not truly "latex", as in rubber, but is actually an emulsion of styrene-butadiene rubber with a powdered filler, calcium carbonate. To see where the situation develops lets take a closer look at the carpet layers. After tufting and dyeing are completed it is time to attach a fabric backing or a finish back coating. If the carpet receives only a second latex coating and not a fabric secondary backing it is said to have a "unitary backing". Two applications of the styrene-butadiene rubber/filler emulsion are used. The first is designed to encapsulate and penetrate the yarn bundle and adhere it to the primary backing sufficiently to resist being dislodged by traffic. The second application is a stiffer emulsion and the function of this coat is to act as either a secondary backing, as in unitary backed goods, or to bond the fabric secondary backing to the primary backing and face yarns. The rippling/buckling which we are discussing here is caused by the "growth" of the carpet due to hydraulic pressure on the calcium carbonate portion of the latex emulsion. While this material, which is ground marble or limestone, would seem to be quite inert and not subject to absorption and subsequent swelling it is possible for a sufficient amount of water to penetrate into the SBR/filler emulsion to result in a swelling of the backing and the carpet to which it is attached. This is similar to the expansion which occurs when a dry cellulose sponge it placed in water. Only a small amount of growth is necessary for this rippling/ buckling to occur. Now your question may be why do I want my carpet cleaned with hot water extraction if it is going to cause buckling? The answer is that all three major manufacturers of carpet in the U.S. require hot water extraction cleaning to maintain their textile. Buckling is merely a characteristic of a tufted carpet when exposed to excess moisture, UNLESS THIS GROWTH IS IN SOMEWAY RESTRICTED! This is where proper installation is key! Proper installation requires that all stretch-in installations be performed using a power stretcher and a bias-stretch system. With a recommended stretch of 1 - 1 1/2% the carpet will be sufficiently restricted from growth that the rippling/buckling cannot occur. Please call us if you have any questions on how we may assist you in repairing carpet buckles. 936-582-4227 What is carpet protection? Greetings! With the holidays approaching, and many of you calling to have carpets cleaned for those holiday gatherings, I thought that now would be a good time for some cleaning news that you could use. Today I would like to answer some questions about carpet protectors. It's always a pleasure to see how bright and clean your carpets look right after they've been professionally cleaned. You can keep them looking fresh and new longer by asking for carpet protector. In general, carpet protector forms an invisible shield around each fiber, which resists soil and stains. A quality carpet protector repels most liquids, allowing spills to be removed before staining and wicking can occur. Dirt and stains cling to untreated carpet and quickly become embedded in the fibers. Carpet protector keeps dirt from sticking to the fibers, making carpets easier to care for. Our company uses DuPont Teflon® Advanced for this service. We believe it is the best product on the market. It is applied by spray application, dries quickly, and leaves no odor. It is non-toxic and safe to use around family and pets. It's CFC- and solvent-free. DuPont recommends the application of Teflon® Advanced after each cleaning on all carpet fiber types. However, we prefer to consult with each customer before recommending this product. Even wool carpets can benefit from carpet protector. With an application of DuPont Teflon® Advanced carpet protector, you have the assurance your carpet is protected with a premium quality product. The following are the benefits of having a carpet protector application performed: · Forms an Invisible shield around each fiber · Repels liquid spills · The best soil protection for all types of carpets · Helps carpets last longer · Protects your carpet investment · Helps make carpets easier to care forSafe around family and pets Carpet protector is just one of the ways to keep your carpet looking and feeling good. We recommend that you refrain from burning candles in your home, that your carpet is vacuumed regularly and professionally cleaned as often as necessary. To find out how often your carpet should be cleaned, give us a call. 936.582.4227. We can make a cleaning recommendation based on the type of carpet you have and your lifestyle (pets, kids, etc ). One last thing, many of you do not know that our company performs carpet repairing and stretching. In fact, we do as much repair and stretching as we do cleaning. We warranty our stretch and repair work for the life of your carpet. Correct Flooring Selection The correct flooring selection is crucial to the design of any room. The type of floor that you decide upon can dramatically affect the visual statement you are looking for. This is especially true with carpets and when choosing a carpet there are many variables to consider. The most important of these factors is color. In halls, stairs and darker rooms a natural colored carpet will make the space appear light and airy. In contrast a deep red or burgundy carpet will give a classic look and is especially effective when used in dining rooms. For children's rooms carpets with bold colors are the perfect addition to make a fun environment for them to sleep and play in. Carpet pattern also affects the look of a room. Plain carpet flooring can be easily matched to furnishings and can make a room seem larger than it is. Smaller patterned carpets can also have this effect and may disguise pile flattening and traffic patterns. A large patterned carpet gives a traditional look and can make large rooms show smaller and more inviting. Carpet construction will play an important role in helping you decide on which carpet to purchase. The type of carpet you buy will hinge on the look you are trying to accomplish and for and the amount of use the carpet will receive. In the living room or den a good quality carpet such as a luxurious deep pile Saxony will add a warm comforting feel to the room. For stairs be sure to buy the most durable carpet you can afford as the area will receive the most wear just as a hallway would. In the bedroom thick carpets or shag piles are popular as they are perfect for cold mornings and add a touch of luxury to the room. In spare rooms a less durable carpet can be used as the flooring will receive less use. While it is not recommended to utilize carpet for a bathroom, if you must have carpet flooring there, be sure to pick one which has a rot-resistant backing. When buying a new carpet a professional carpet installer will usually measure the job free of charge. However, measuring the floor yourself can be advantageous when pricing up new flooring ideas or if you are installing the carpet yourself. Only attempt to install a carpet if you know what you are doing. Poorly installed carpets, especially on stairs, are very dangerous and can buckle causeing undue wear. Measuring
- What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
ZBest Carpet Cleaning was started in January 2001 with a commitment to old school style customer service. When you hire ZBest to perform a service at your home or business, you will get a fully trained, competent cleaning professional. Our experienced technicians bring about your complete satisfaction with powerful commercial grade hot water extraction machinery and tools. Our cleaning systems are recommended by many of the worlds largest flooring textile manufacturers. We use only the finest biodegradable detergents and cleaners. These are safe for your family, pets and the environment. All of our work is 100% money back guaranteed.