How to Troubleshoot Carpet Problems
- 1). Get a feel for static problems in the carpet by touching a piece of metal. Static buildup will result in a "shock" when your finger touches the metal. Most static buildup in carpeting is the result of low humidity in the house. You can reduce or eliminate static by increasing humidity with a humidifier. A temporary solution is antistatic spray.
- 2). Take a sniff of the air to get a sense of carpeting that has become dirty or soiled. Everyday wear and tear can cause a carpet to start smelling unpleasant. The easiest method for making a foul-smelling carpet smell fresher is to vacuum up the dirt after sprinkling baking soda over the offensive-smelling area.
- 3). Look for areas of the carpet that have flattened as a result of traffic. Carpet also can become flattened from furniture that has been allowed to stay in one location for an extended period of time. Bring the carpet back up to normal by placing a clean cloth over the part that is flattened and then holding a steam iron slightly above the cloth. Release steam in short, steady bursts, but refrain from placing the iron directly onto the cloth or carpet.
- 4). Feel for a springy sensation when you walk on the carpet or look for signs of bulging or sagging. These are all signs of faulty flooring or floor understructure. Repairing this problem is much more difficult than troubleshooting it and is likely to mean calling in the services of a professional.
- 5). Keep an eye out for signs of deterioration in an older carpet. Carpets will deteriorate over time, and one method of troubleshooting this problem is to notice when the carpet begins to shed tufts. Repair options range from replacing just the section of carpeting that is shedding or replacing the entire carpet before it begins to shed tufts in other spots.
- 6). Try to find the source of a stain on the carpet. Staining may be caused by a spill of food or liquid as well as too much direct sunlight hitting the carpet. The manner in which you treat stains will vary depending on the source. Take steps to shield sunlight if the stain or discoloration is caused by too much direct sun.
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