Carpet is warm and inviting, but one of the drawbacks is that it is more susceptible to fading than other types of floor coverings. When a carpet inspector is called out to a job site to look at a faded carpet, it can be tricky to determine the cause. Fortunately, a trained and certified carpet inspector knows what to do to test the carpeting to get accurate results.
Fading is when carpet fibers lose color. There are numerous causes for carpet fading, such as exposure to the sun’s rays or artificial lighting. Other causes include contact with certain chemicals, such as chlorine, bleach, nitric oxide, and more. Oxidation can also contribute to the loss of color, such as from sulfur or nitrogen.
A professional carpet inspector may use several different tests on the job site to determine the reason for fading. One test involves an inspection lamp with a high-intensity bulb. The ultraviolet light can identify some substances that may have come in contact with the carpeting, such as cleaning detergent. Another test used to determine the cause of fading in carpeting is a moisture test using a sensor. It can analyze whether moisture remains locked in the carpet fibers. Several pH tests can also give clues to what might have caused fading, and the inspector can take readings from the affected area and compare them with readings from the affected area.
When the flooring inspector has gathered all the evidence, they can create a written report for the commissioning party and present the findings.
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