Colour Matching - Carpets are produced in batches (creels) of 500sq.m. to 3000sq.m. The recipe for the dye colour remains constant, but each production of the colour may vary within the permitted tolerance.  Each batch is checked against the master sample. Carpets which are laid with the pile direction travelling different ways even though from the same roll / dye batch may appear not to match because of the way light reflects on the carpet pile. 

Shedding / lose fibres - During production of the carpet when the spun yarn is cut for tuft formation some lose fibres (fluff) will fall / remain on the surface of the carpet. The amount of lose fibres varies from different yarn mixtures.  The lose fibres / fluff can easily be removed by vacuuming.

Pulled loops -  These only appear in loop pile carpets where one of more loops in the continuous pile is pulled.  The pulling of a loop is usually due to some local condition, i.e. a sharp object, a cat claw snagging on the loop, etc. Trimming the offending loop level with the rest of the pile will usual deal with the problem and stop it turning into a ladder.

Sprouting - Occasional an odd tuft will stand proud to the rest, this is easily remedied by trimming the offending tuft with scissors, leveling with the rest of the tufts.

Shading - This occurs because the pile of the carpet has become crushed, flattened or brushed in a different direction to the natural lie of the carpet pile causing light to reflect differently resulting in dark / light patched on the carpet.  This will occur on all pile fabrics but is more noticeable with plainer carpets.

Static - carpets do not produce static but like many other household fabrics and objects have a capacity to store it.  Static usually  occurs in a dry environment.  It is a build up of static electrcity which is discharged when a person makes contact  with an object which can conduct electricity.  The solution to this is to add moisture into the room (i.e houseplants, vase of fresh flowers etc or  a topical treatment to the carpet are available for this condition.  For commercial computer rooms specific products are available. 

Fading - This is caused by exposure to sunlight.  The degree of  fade / lightening depends on the colour chosen and the local conditions to which the carpet is subjected.  Protection should be given to carpets exposed to these conditions. 

Flattening - all pile fabrics will flatten in the main areas of use.  The amount of flattening will also depend on the density / pile fibre, height, weight of the product concerned and condition and quality of the underlay.  A good carpet deserves a good underlay. 

Pile Reversable  - It looks like watermarks on the carpet: it is the changing of pile direction on the surface of the carpet and the way light reflects at different angles showing effects of shading. This is not a manufacturing fault and can occur to any carpet, but is more noticable on plain carpets.  It is somewhat of a phenomenon in the carpet industry as to why it occurs and as yet, despite tremendous amounts of research, there is no commonly known manufacturing processes that can cure or cause the problem. 

Indentations - occur when heavy items are placed on the carpet such as furniture legs etc. The pile usually will recover over a period of time but depends how long the load was in situ, how heavy it was, the quality of the carpet and underlay etc. Vacuuming will speed up recovery of the carpet, also gentle teasing of the tufts.  The use of caster cups under furniture legs will spread the load / weight over a larger area thus causing less indentations.

Soiling - this is the result of some local condition to which the carpet has been subjected, maintenance, or lack of maintenance. Spillages should be cleared up as soon as possible, and the offending area cleaned.  Sugary drink spillages should be cleaned thoroughly as any sugar residue left in the carpet will attract dirt quickly.  Likewise shampoo left in the carpet will cause dirt to be attracted to it.  Professional cleaning is advised. Dust carried in by draughts under doors, around skirting's, though folor boards etc can soil a carpet and every effort should be made by the consumer to elimate any drafts were possible, before carpet installation to prevent this occurring.    

The above information is given to you to help you make an informed choice.   If you need any further clarification please contact us for advice.