You notice one day your carpet is no longer flat. There are wrinkles, bunching and sections that stay matted no matter how often you vacuum. Does the carpet just need a good stretching or is something else going on? Pro Carpet Repairs has the answers. 

Carpet Layers

It may seem as though a piece of carpet is nothing more than fiber loops attached to a piece of backing, when in actuality the majority of mass produced carpets include four components: the face yarn, the primary backing, the adhesive binder and the secondary backing.

• Face yarn is what you see when you look at a piece of carpet and is available in different styles, textures and materials. 
• The primary backing is either a woven or nonwoven fabric that provides the carpet’s structure. While still pliable, the primary backing holds the face yarn in place. 
• The adhesive binder joins the primary backing and the secondary backing.
• The secondary backing is where the rubber meets the road, so to speak. This is the piece of backing that actually touches the carpet padding, subflooring or main floor as a method of reinforcing the primary backing. 

What is Delamination?

When the adhesive that joins the primary and secondary backing begins to deteriorate, and the layers begin to separate, that is considered delamination.  

What Causes Delamination?

• The most common cause is improper application of the adhesive binder or using an adhesive that isn’t suitable for the job. If the adhesive ingredient ratios aren’t correct or if the mixture wasn’t accurately blended, poor bonding may occur causing the layers to fail. 
• During installation if the carpet is not properly stretched, over time ripples and wrinkles can occur. If not promptly corrected, this may result in the bonding agent breaking down, causing delamination. 
• Carpets that have been exposed to excess moisture during cleaning or from constant spills, water leaks, or even from pet urine, may delaminate over time. In the case of pet urine, as soon as the urine soaks through to the adhesive, it begins to break down. 
• Furniture with castors, including office chairs and hospital beds, combined with a person’s weight, can quickly cause the adhesive backing to fail. 

Can Delaminated Carpet be Repaired? 

If the delamination is caught in time and if the damage is minor, there is a good chance it can be repaired. But we can’t stress enough it has to be caught quickly. Studies have shown carpet backing can lose up to 90 percent of its adhesive power when exposed to excess moisture. In the case of water damage or flooding it is important to call Professional Carpet Repair and Restoration as soon as possible so the drying and dehumidification process can begin.

Delamination that is determined to be extensive generally can’t be corrected and the carpet will need to be replaced. Depending on what caused the delamination, the padding may be able to be salvaged but only a carpet restoration professional will be able to make that determination.  

Not sure what’s causing your carpet problems? One call to Pro Carpet Repairs is all it takes for your concerns to be answered. Specializing in carpet repair, dyeing and water damage restoration, please call 864-569-9366 or email contact@procarpetrepairs.com to schedule an appointment today.