We also offer an affordable stair service. As your stairs begin to wear, we'll move the runner one-half step to put the fresh carpet onto the wear path. Call us.

Smaller carpet repairs can be very expensive so we're including this primer on carpet repair. Go slowly and be careful. If these repairs don't work, you are usually no worse off than you were before you tried. If things go really wrong, you can always call us.

Carpet Repair Tips

Burns
Very little can be done. Small ends of blackened fibers may simply be clipped off with sharp scissors. More extensive damage may require replacing the area with a new piece of carpet. Installers do this with a "Cookie Cutter" that puts in a replacement plug.

Fuzzing
Fuzzing is different than shedding. Loose fibers are still attached at one end. It's caused by fiber breakage, surface wear and the cutting of filaments by embedded grit. Vacuum often to get rid of grit. Carefully clip off fibers sticking out.

Indentations
You will need a steam iron, a low sodium club soda, and clean white cotton towels. Pour club soda in iron just like you would water, heat iron. You can use the high steam setting or slowly work the temperature up to wherever you are comfortable. Sprinkle the carpet with club soda until it's fairly moist. Place a white towel (use clean white cotton towels only!) over the area and iron. Check the area every minute or so to see if it is re-fluffing. This method will remove certain stains as well. It may take re-wetting the area and going over it a few times, so make sure to give it time to work. Empty the iron afterwards to remove the club soda and rinse it well.

Shading
Normal traffic causes the pile of carpet to flatten slightly, resulting in a shaded effect, especially in plush carpet. Vacuuming the pile in the same direction will temporarily correct this situation. If 2 lengths of carpet are laid in different directions, more shading will occur by the seams. Only brushing and wear can lessen the look.

Even though a conscious program of vacuuming is followed, some change will take place. The changes will not only be in the traffic areas but in other sections which receive very little traffic. This change is more noticeable on solid colors and in the better grades of plush carpet. It may first become apparent as a large spot, as if something has been spilled. It may look like a water spot. The spot may be rounded or have a wavy shape and not really enclosing any area. If the fingers are run over the spot, it will be noticed that the pile runs in one direction until the edge of the spot is reached. The edge of the area will appear rough, or raised, and then once outside the area, the pile runs in a different direction from that in the spot.

Shedding
Dogs and carpets shed. No connection. Carpet, however, stops shedding, or fluffing, sooner than dogs. Fibers will surface which have been left in the carpet during manufacturing. This is not a defect, but a normal occurrence which is corrected by regular vacuuming. 

Snags
Tufts that have pulled out of the carpet should be clipped off with a sharp scissors. Never pull them. If a long "run" occurs, a carpet dealer can re-tuft or glue back yarn in place. Snags occur most frequently in loop pile constructions.

Sprouting
A carpet sprouts when a tuft pops up that is longer than the rest. DON'T PULL IT! Instead, trim it with sharp scissors to the height of the rest of the pile. Don't use a knife.

Stains
For Synthetic Fibers Only
When anything is spilled on a carpet surface, removal results are best when the stain is treated immediately—before it dries. Water sponging over area will dilute the stain, but be careful not to spread the stain farther.

Basic directions for all the stains. (Also see spills page)

• Remove excess soil promptly by blotting or scraping with a dull edge first.
  • Apply appropriate cleaning materials directly to stain. Test for 10 seconds and blot in an inconspicuous spot before using a solvent or cleaning materials.
  • Do not rub stain, always blot with clean absorbent white cloth.
  • Avoid getting carpet too wet.
  • When dry, gently brush to restore pile.

Some stains are very hard to remove. May need to repeat process two or more times. Some stains are permanent and cannot be removed.

Static Electricity

With carpet used in more homes and offices, along with better insulation and heating, static electricity has become more noticeable. Add to that computer terminals, keyboards and such and we hear more and more about static problems. The amount of static electricity created is based on such variables as the weight, walking habits and even the type of shoes worn. It's affected by the face fiber of the carpet, construction of the carpet, the backing, type of cushion under the carpet and the kind of floor. The amount of moisture in the air and, consequently on the face yarns is a major factor in determining if someone is going to get shocked after walking over a carpet.

Static electricity may be noticeable and then it will disappear. It may or may not return. The reason it disappeared is the change of some variable. It could be a change in the type of shoe soles or the carpet has been soiled. The static electricity on a dirty carpet is less than on a clean one.

Humidity is probably the biggest factor that produces the change. Moisture in the air will be absorbed by the carpet fibers. The moisture in the fibers is important as the moisture helps dissipate the electrical charge. If there is sufficient moisture present, there will not be enough charge built up to produce a shock. An early method used to control static was to place pans of water on the stove or radiators. Moisture is added to some heating systems today by placing a humidifier on the furnace or in the room. If sufficient water is added to the air, it will eliminate the static problem but too much moisture can produce a condensation problem on window glass in colder climates.

Another method is to spray the carpet surface with an anti-static agent. It is not a permanent treatment as it is slowly removed by the soles of the shoes. If these agents are sprayed in the fall, they will probably be effective until spring, or at least a few weeks. This is the normal season of low humidity and most problems with static electricity. If static becomes noticeable before spring, then the traffic areas can be retreated. Some of the anti-static agents are sticky and will cause dirt to adhere to the carpet. Carpet and rugs can be purchased with special fibers or treatments built into them which will eliminate the static electricity problem.