How does pH affect carpet adhesive? The numeric scale used to measure the acidity or alkalinity of a substance is known as pH, or potential of hydrogen. The scale goes from 1 to 14. The lower numbers represent more acidity. All higher numbers represent more alkaline matter. Water is neutral with a pH of 7.
Furthermore, pH is important for carpets during installation and for long-term care. If the pH is too high or too low, it can cause problems for the client. Carpet inspectors can test pH on-site and perform other important tests.
The pH of the subfloor can have a big effect on how well the carpet adhesive works. Most of all, without the right pH level, the adhesive can cause the backing to fail or the carpet to delaminate. In some cases, it can also cause the adhesive itself to fail.
As a result, carpet cleaners should also pay attention to pH. Different fibers react to varying levels of pH in cleaning solutions, as do the types of stains. Also, certain carpet fibers, like olefin, can withstand high alkalinity. Other fibers, like wool or nylon, do better with a more neutral pH. A professional carpet cleaner should be able to match the cleaning product to the different carpets for the best results.
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