Question about padding issues

[nels864]

We installed carpeting throughout our home 1.5 years ago. The company who sold us the carpet and padding sold us 1/2" padding. We have had issues with wrinkles and ripples and the original installer re-stretched about 8 months ago. After re-stretching the seams were highly visible and the ripples quickly returned. The carpet vendor put us in contact with a repair specialist to stretch the carpet a second time. When he came out he said there were serious issues resulting from the padding being too thick and that he would not perform the work as he thought there would be continued problems with rippling and further issues at the seams and that we should go back to the vendor and have them correct their mistake. Mind you he lives an hour away and had quoted $200 to $300 to do the job, so it was not in his best interest to walk away.

We had no idea the padding was too thick, and called the carpet vendor. In speaking with the vendor, an associate said that yes the problem was that the padding was too thick and that 7/16" padding should have been used. We bought the 1/2" pad on their recommendation as we have no knowledge of what is best for the carpet. I asked that they have an inspector come look at the problem but the vendor wants to re-stretch with a different repair guy.

I am paying to have an inspector come out before anything more is done. Any recommendations or advice?



Thanks in advance.

 

[Floorist]

What kind of carpet? (plush, berber, etc.) What weight is the carpet? What density is the pad? Did the installer use a power stretcher?

 

[DarisMulkin]

Also is it a woven product or a tufted product would help.

Daris

 

[Ernesto]

You should insist on an inspection. You let them try and repair it, you have fulfilled your part as your required. You do not have to let them try and repair it numerous times unless you want to. Still, remember the clock is ticking on any warranty the vendor would apply.

If one so called "repair specialist" walked away, thats a sign. Also the pad should be replaced. And it obviously has had a negative impact on the life expectancy of the carpet as well.

 

[FloorMaven]

Mind you he lives an hour away and had quoted $200 to $300 to do the job, so it was not in his best interest to walk away.

He may have under bid or miscalculated the amount of work or time required. Happens often when bidding sight unseen. To save face he simply passed the buck.

We had no idea the padding was too thick, and called the carpet vendor. In speaking with the vendor, an associate said that yes the problem was that the padding was too thick and that 7/16" padding should have been used. We bought the 1/2" pad on their recommendation as we have no knowledge of what is best for the carpet. I asked that they have an inspector come look at the problem but the vendor wants to re-stretch with a different repair guy.

I am paying to have an inspector come out before anything more is done.

If you think about it logically, do you really believe 1/16" difference in thickness of the carpet cushion will lead to a total abject failure of the installation? Excess cushion thickness becomes a problem when it is too high to securely pin the carpet to the 1/4" thick tack strip. In your case you experienced seam peaking after the initial restretch. This means the carpet was under heavy tension leading to the conclusion that the material was secure enough on the tack strip to create said tension.

Cushion density can surely be a problem causing excessive vertical movement but I've seen carpets installed over 9/16" 4# density prime and never experience even the slightest problem.

I'd let the dealer restretch with his new guy before you start investing money into a battle.

 

[FloorMaven]

Additionally, not sure why you would come out of pocket to hire someone to repair. Also, the original installer usually tends to do the minimum necessary to flatten the carpet hoping that it will stay that way until the warranty expires. You need someone to come in and do a thorough restretch.

 

[Ernesto]

He may have under bid or miscalculated the amount of work or time required. Happens often when bidding sight unseen. To save face he simply passed the buck.



If you think about it logically, do you really believe 1/16" difference in thickness of the carpet cushion will lead to a total abject failure of the installation? Excess cushion thickness becomes a problem when it is too high to securely pin the carpet to the 1/4" thick tack strip. In your case you experienced seam peaking after the initial restretch. This means the carpet was under heavy tension leading to the conclusion that the material was secure enough on the tack strip to create said tension.

Cushion density can surely be a problem causing excessive vertical movement but I've seen carpets installed over 9/16" 4# density prime and never experience even the slightest problem.

I'd let the dealer restretch with his new guy before you start investing money into a battle.

The restretch charge does seem kinda low for an entire house. Maybe it was a minimum charge and the vendor made it seem like a simple restretch.

I think cushion thickness also goes hand in hand with density. Some 1/2in is a lessor density than 7/16. If memory serves correct isn't 7/16 rated 6lb? Half inch should be 8lb. Density should go up with thickness. A higher cushion just means that carpet is going to flex more when walked on thus cause the wrinkling your getting.

 

[Floorist]

A lot of the 7/16 sold here is 4 lb. I would just like more details. Could be it was kicked in. Could be berber with 1/2".

 

[rugaddict]

something sounds fishy here---there is another possible source of wrinkles and ripples in your carpet and that is delamination----that means the backing has seperated from the carpet ---a restretch will not fix this and if called to do a restretch i would walk out of your house---delamination indicates defective goods---a very shaky install----or you have office chair races in your home constantly----push down on some of the wrinkles with your finger----if the carpet goes up and down--that is delamination---if you press down and the carpet moves 3 or 4 inches away---thats a wrinkle----i dont see how a half inch pad would be to blame for any of this

 

[Floorist]

Delamination can be HOs fault too. I knew one woman who cleaned her carpet weekly and soaked it and it fell apart in no time.

 

[rugaddict]

delamination can also be the installers fault----i knew a guy who would fold the carpet over---fill up a green plastic watering can he carried around with hot water and go to town----he said it made the backing more flexable and that the carpet pulled itself tight as it dried---oh yeah and the backing fell off

 

[Nick]

We use to use 9/16 all the time years ago with no problem .
I knew a guy back when who we called No See , because he use to cut everything 1/4 to a 1/2" short .
He use to take the old jute back outside the customers house and hose it down . Not a typo

 

[Floorist]

A watering can was used on stairs too with jute back. Made them really tight.

 

[Ken]

My guys use 1/2" on most jobs without issue. Maven's right, sounds like a different issue

 

[Ernesto]

My guys use 1/2" on most jobs without issue. Maven's right, sounds like a different issue

Wouldn't dare argue with a Master II installer

Delamination can also be caused by excess movement of the backing. Especially with actionbac thats full of filler. Heck, I've seen it falling apart out of the wrapper.

 

[FloorMaven]

Wouldn't dare argue with a Master II installer

Delamination can also be caused by excess movement of the backing. Especially with actionbac thats full of filler. Heck, I've seen it falling apart out of the wrapper.

There are so many things that it could be but I think the cushion being 1/2" is probably low on the list.

It seems like the dealer is willing to rectify the problem, so why not let him do so?

 

[Ken]

Wouldn't dare argue with a Master II installer

Delamination can also be caused by excess movement of the backing. Especially with actionbac thats full of filler. Heck, I've seen it falling apart out of the wrapper.

damn straight.