ABC MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

JUNE 2016

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We hope you will enjoy this month's articles.  

This month's topic is:

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THE CASE for the
RETURN of WALL-to-WALL CARPET

We would like to make a case for the return of wall-to-wall carpet in this article. Carpet use in homes, businesses, and schools has been in decline in recent years. The current design trend is to cover hard surfaces with wood, man made flooring or tile rather than wall-to-wall carpet.

Carpet in homes has been relegated to the bedrooms and halls of the upper floor. Even in businesses today, tile is more often than not the preferred hard surface covering. Many years ago, a misconception about carpet and indoor air quality led to many schools removing the carpeting from their floors.

Wood and tile have their strong points but the benefits of wall-to-wall carpet are many-fold and provide a strong case for the return of wall-to-wall carpet to the home, the business, and the school.

BENEFITS OF WALL-TO-WALL CARPET

Carpet actually improves indoor air quality!  

The wall-to-wall carpet in the built environment acts as a filter for the indoor air, trapping dust and allergens that would normally remain free when kicked up by normal foot traffic. Of course, since the carpet will eventually become saturated, it is necessary to vacuum regularly long before that happens.

On wood and tile floors, these dust and allergen particles have nowhere to go but up into the air. As a result, wood and tile floors tend to need more constant maintenance than carpeted areas in order to keep the indoor air quality at an acceptable level or above.

Carpet provides a cozy and warm surface. 

Wall-to-wall carpet is perfect for comfortable sitting, playing or working. Carpet actually has an R-value since it will retain warm air longer, a definite energy conservation benefit for colder climates.

Carpet helps to soften slips and falls.

This is an extremely important benefit especially when toddlers and older persons are present. Carpet also cushions our footsteps, providing a comfort benefit.

Carpet can add style and beauty to any room.

The myriad number of styles, patterns, materials, and colors offered by today's carpet manufacturers can please the taste of even the most discerning consumer. Carpets that are environmentally friendly and sustainable and those that are also pet friendly  have recently pushed their way to the front of the carpet market.

For more benefits of wall-to-wall carpet and articles for further reading, please continue here.

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Proper wall-to-wall carpet installation is one of the most important factors that can determine the value of the return on your carpet investment. A proper installation can add years to the life and beauty of your carpet.

CARPET INSTALLATION TYPES

Installation with Tackless Strips

Most residential and some commercial carpet is installed over a cushion (or pad), and is fastened to the floor by stretching the carpet onto pins protruding from wood strips around the perimeter of the installation area. 

The wooden strip with projecting tacks or pins is known as a 'tackless strip,' so named because it contrasts with the now obsolete installation method of tacking the carpet directly to the floor.

Glue-Down and Double Glue-Down Installation

Many commercial carpets may be glued down, using a contact-type adhesive, which is a better method for carpet in high-use areas or under moving furniture.

Proper trowel-notch size and knowing the time it takes for the adhesive to develop, as well as proper floor preparation and adhesive selection are all required for a successful installation.

Another method of contract carpet installation is 'double glue down'. In this process the cushion (pad) is glued to the floor, then the carpet is glued to the cushion with a quick-release glue. With this type of installation, the carpet can be removed for replacement without having to remove the pad that is glued to the floor.

Installation with Tackless Strips

Most residential and some commercial carpet is installed over a cushion (or pad), and is fastened to the floor by stretching the carpet onto pins protruding from wood strips around the perimeter of the installation area. 

The wooden strip with projecting tacks or pins is known as a 'tackless strip,' so named because it contrasts with the now obsolete installation method of tacking the carpet directly to the floor.

Glue-Down and Double Glue-Down Installation

Many commercial carpets may be glued down, using a contact-type adhesive, which is a better method for carpet in high-use areas or under moving furniture.
Proper trowel-notch size and knowing the time it takes for the adhesive to develop, as well as proper floor preparation and adhesive selection are all required for a successful installation.

Another method of contract carpet installation is 'double glue down'. In this process the cushion (pad) is glued to the floor, then the carpet is glued to the cushion with a quick-release glue. With this type of installation, the carpet can be removed for replacement without having to remove the pad that is glued to the floor.

CARPET INSTALLATION 

PROCEDURES

Power Stretching vs. Knee Kicking
A carpet must be fully stretched according to the manufacturer's specifications during installation. All the 'give' in new carpet must be removed so no buckling, rippling or 'growth' occurs during use.

Unfortunately, many carpet installers use a 'knee kicker' device rather than a power stretcher. The knee kicker is seldom, if ever, capable of adequately stretching carpet to correct specifications. (The knee kicker is usually necessary for installation on stairs.) 

Carpet that has not been properly stretched will shift with use, especially in high traffic areas, and will appear lumpy with buckles, bumps, and waves (or worse) and will often require re-installation. 

To learn more about proper carpet installation procedures and steps to take after a carpet installation, please continue reading here ...

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CARPET MAINTENANCE TIPS

Carpet maintenance involves vacuuming efficiently, effectively, and consistently, and scheduling a professional cleaning on a regular basis. This will ensure the beauty of your wall-to-wall carpet will last and your indoor air quality will improve for years to come.  

IMPORTANT CARPET

MAINTENANCE TIPS

Remove spots and spills as soon as possible.

Use our  ABC Spot Cleaning Guide or our ABC Spotting Solution as per instructions. Call our office at 607-272-1566 if you cannot thoroughly remove the offending material.

Soil is the real enemy.

The ground-in dirt in an excessively soiled carpet can cause serious damage to the fibers, especially in heavily trafficked areas such as at entryways and areas not vacuumed properly or frequently enough. 

Be sure to place walk-off mats inside and outside all entry and exit doors to help prevent outside dirt from being tracked inside.

It is better to vacuum ONLY the heavy traffic areas.

When time is short, vacuum the heavy traffic areas more frequently or repeatedly rather than try to cover everything or everywhere with a once-over-light vacuuming.

Light vacuuming vs. thorough.

Light vacuuming is covering the same area with three or four overlapping strokes. More thorough vacuuming could be 6 or even 8 strokes over the same, heavily soiled areas.

Vacuum against the nap.

Do this especially in high traffic areas. Using a carpet rake to lift the carpet pile could also be helpful in removing ground in dirt.

When vacuuming rugs with fringe, always vacuum from side to side (opposite the fringes). 

To find more tips on maintaining your wall-to-wall carpet, efficient vacuuming, maintaining your vacuum, and professional carpet cleaning, please continue reading here.

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