Comfort, beauty, warmth—no other household purchase better communicates the style and tone of your home. Carpet is an investment that will last a long time. Proper installation and regular maintenance are essential in enhancing your carpet's performance. The Carpet & Rug Institute has compiled the following useful information to help you preserve your investment.

Installation

A quality installation is critical to the performance of your carpet and will protect your indoor air quality. When having your carpet installed, the Carpet and Rug Institute advises obtaining the services of an installation contractor who adheres to the Standard for Installation of Commercial Carpet, CRI 104, for all aspects of the installation.

Before Installation

Have a clear understanding of the services the retailer will provide and be aware of those that you must handle. For example, there may be an additional charge to move your furniture. Discuss with the retailer who will remove the existing carpet and cushion and be responsible for disposal. Placement of seams is important. Ask that seams be placed in less visible areas. Request that the installer follow the instructions from the carpet manufacturer and/or those set forth in the Standard for Installation of Residential Carpet, accepted by the industry. Don't expect seams to be invisible.

Before the installers arrive, complete other remodeling projects intended in the room, such as painting and wallpapering. Vacuum the old carpet to avoid the possibility of airborne dust and dirt. After the carpet and cushion are removed, vacuum the sub-floor.

When Carpet is Delivered

Check its texture, color, and style; make sure there are no visible defects before installation. Be sure the installer will adhere to the Standard for Installation of Residential Carpet, CRI 105. Among other things, it requires for proper installation that carpet must be power-stretched to minimize wrinkling and rippling. Seam edges must be sealed with appropriate adhesive to prevent delamination and edge ravel. Buying your carpet from an authorized "Seal of Approval" retailer will ensure a professional installation.

During Installation

New, thicker carpet may prevent doors from swinging clear and free. The installer will remove the doors and re-hang them if possible. If the doors do not clear, arrange to have them trimmed. It is your responsibility to provide an adequate supply of fresh air during installation. Open windows and doors, use an exhaust fan, or operate the fan of your heating or air conditioning system.

After Installation

Vacuum your carpet to remove loose fibers. You may notice a slight new carpet smell, which should dissipate quickly. Ventilate the area for 48 to 72 hours. If you are unusually sensitive to odors or allergy prone, you may want to avoid the installation area during this period. If you have any questions about this, contact your retailer.

In the months following installation,
you may notice these characteristics

• SHEDDING—the shedding of loose fibers is normal and should subside with regular vacuuming.
• SPROUTING—if a single tuft extends beyond the carpet's surface, simply clip it off. Do not pull it out.
• PILE REVERSAL OR SHADING—a color change that seems to occur in various parts of the carpet, caused by light being reflected in different ways, as pile fibers are bent in different directions. This is not a defect but a characteristic of plush carpet.
• WRINKLING—if ripples persist, call your retailer. It may be necessary to professionally re-stretch the carpet.

• Install a carpet that indicates that the product type has been tested and meets the low TVOC emissions criteria.
• When the carpet is to be glued down (not usually in residential applications), ask the installer to use an adhesive label indicating that it has been tested and meets the low TVOC emissions criteria.
• Vacuum the old carpet prior to removal and the floor after the old carpet and cushion has been removed to minimize airborne dust and other particulates.
• Ventilate with fresh air (open windows, operate a fan, and/or run the fan of the heat/air system continuously) during the removal of the old carpet and the installation of the new carpet, and for 48 to 72 hours after installation.
• Use a professional installer and confirm that the minimum industry accepted installation standards are followed.
• Those who consider themselves unusually sensitive or prone to allergic reactions may wish to leave the premises while the old carpet is being removed and the new carpet installed, and for 48 to 72 hours afterward.
• A professional hot water rinse will help eliminate some allergy problems that new carpet may cause for allergy prone people.

In general, follow the same common sense ventilation precautions used when painting, wallpapering, or renovating any area of the home.

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