Tony Wilson
Member
anyway cleaned a Poly carpet Friday and the carpet had these weird patterns here and there. I've seen this many times over the years. But what actually causes it?
I believe it's called Pooling?
- Thread starter Tony Wilson
- Start date
Spurlington
Member
Carpet Pooling: Why does my carpet look like that?
Have you ever noticed an area of your carpet that wasn’t stained, but still appeared to be a different color? As if one area of your carpeting was laying in a different direction than the rest of your carpet, thus creating the illusion of a wet, or dirty spot in a random area?
This phenomenon is known as “carpet pooling.”
What does carpet pooling look like?
Carpet pooling, also referred to as “watermarking,” occurs when an area of carpet fibers lay in a different direction than the rest of the fibers. To visualize the effects of carpet pooling, run your hand over an area of carpeting. Now stand back and look at the area you have just rubbed. Does the spot appear darker than the rest of the carpeting? Or perhaps it appears lighter from another angle, depending on how the fibers have been laid over.
When carpet pooling occurs, you will notice spots that look like they have been rubbed over when, in fact, no disturbance has taken place. The affected area may vary in size from a small spot, to a rather large area and will display defined, random edges to the problem. In other words, it will be obvious where the areas of carpet pooling stop and start.
This is the same rug, viewed from two different angles. The change in colors is not due to staining, but carpet pooling.
What causes carpet pooling?The causes of carpet pooling are not well documented. However, there are a few theories about the cause:
1. Carpet pooling will often occur adjacent to trafficked areas. However, the area does not have to have been heavily trafficked, and from time to time pooling will occur in nearly new carpet where little foot traffic has taken place.
2. The presence of electromagnetic fields is thought to have some effect on carpet pooling, with the fields causing carpet fibers to automatically lay in non-uniform directions.
3. Static electricity has also been blamed for carpet pooling. In some instances a distinct change in static charge has been measured inside of pooled areas.
Unfortunately, there is no definite answer as to the cause of carpet pooling, thus leaving even the best cared-for carpet susceptible to this mysterious malady.
Can I do anything about it?
Unfortunately, carpet pooling cannot be repaired without replacing the carpet. And, even then, there’s no guarantee that the new carpet won’t pool. The good news is that carpet pooling does not affect the durability of the carpet. Additionally, the problem won’t be exacerbated by cleaning, nor regular vacuuming maintenance.
If you believe that carpet pooling is occurring in your home, ask us about it during your next visit from Select Floor Care. We’d be happy to better explain the issue and confirm that the odd appearance of your carpet is, in fact, caused by pooling.
Have you ever noticed an area of your carpet that wasn’t stained, but still appeared to be a different color? As if one area of your carpeting was laying in a different direction than the rest of your carpet, thus creating the illusion of a wet, or dirty spot in a random area?
This phenomenon is known as “carpet pooling.”
What does carpet pooling look like?
Carpet pooling, also referred to as “watermarking,” occurs when an area of carpet fibers lay in a different direction than the rest of the fibers. To visualize the effects of carpet pooling, run your hand over an area of carpeting. Now stand back and look at the area you have just rubbed. Does the spot appear darker than the rest of the carpeting? Or perhaps it appears lighter from another angle, depending on how the fibers have been laid over.
When carpet pooling occurs, you will notice spots that look like they have been rubbed over when, in fact, no disturbance has taken place. The affected area may vary in size from a small spot, to a rather large area and will display defined, random edges to the problem. In other words, it will be obvious where the areas of carpet pooling stop and start.
This is the same rug, viewed from two different angles. The change in colors is not due to staining, but carpet pooling.
What causes carpet pooling?The causes of carpet pooling are not well documented. However, there are a few theories about the cause:
1. Carpet pooling will often occur adjacent to trafficked areas. However, the area does not have to have been heavily trafficked, and from time to time pooling will occur in nearly new carpet where little foot traffic has taken place.
2. The presence of electromagnetic fields is thought to have some effect on carpet pooling, with the fields causing carpet fibers to automatically lay in non-uniform directions.
3. Static electricity has also been blamed for carpet pooling. In some instances a distinct change in static charge has been measured inside of pooled areas.
Unfortunately, there is no definite answer as to the cause of carpet pooling, thus leaving even the best cared-for carpet susceptible to this mysterious malady.
Can I do anything about it?
Unfortunately, carpet pooling cannot be repaired without replacing the carpet. And, even then, there’s no guarantee that the new carpet won’t pool. The good news is that carpet pooling does not affect the durability of the carpet. Additionally, the problem won’t be exacerbated by cleaning, nor regular vacuuming maintenance.
If you believe that carpet pooling is occurring in your home, ask us about it during your next visit from Select Floor Care. We’d be happy to better explain the issue and confirm that the odd appearance of your carpet is, in fact, caused by pooling.
Steve Lawrence
Member
I have a different theory about this phenomenon. I believe that tension in the carpet backing caused by stretch installations and perhaps usage causes the face fibers to lay in different directions. The face fibers then reflect light differently and you have "pooling" effect. Interesting that we often see this same thing on fine rugs. It's not correctable. Tell your custies during your inspection that this is a permanent "feature".
SamIam
Member
It is mostly in highly used areas and traffic patterns but ya, pooling, reverse knap shadowing.
You can adjust it a little with a rotary but as you walk on it will always be there.
You can adjust it a little with a rotary but as you walk on it will always be there.
GeneMiller
Member
Crop circles from miniature aliens. That's my theory.
Gene
Gene
LOL Gene. And I was going to blame it on Bigfoot.
Steve Lawrence
Member
PrimaDonna
Megatron
I find this phenomenon so fascinating, because no one has been able to figure out why it happens or how to stop it.
Mikey P
Administrator
Could be a myth, but I've heard that if you uninstall a room with existing pooling and rotate/flip the carpet that the pooling moves back to its old location
Jack Zipper Zerkie
Member
The pooling is caused by old guys and dogs that can,t hold it and go on the carpet there causing pooling. jz
Desk Jockey
Member
Is that Kenni Chestknees unit you're talking about? As long as he's cool with it.......
Desk Jockey
Member
Get your mind out of the gutter!
Yes it is.
Yes it is.
Spurlington
Member
Clayton Shull BSc
Member
Pooling, AKA Water Marking, Pile Reversal, and even Pile Shading, comes from a change in the pile direction that is different than the factory lay direction or nap, with the resultant light reflecting differently than adjoining unaffected areas.
Zee
Supportive Member
Old Coastie
Supportive Member
It looks like the Ghost of Kitties Past.
Lee Stockwell
FOJL
The mills beat their collective heads against the wall over this years ago.
Finally, using a time-honored marketing strategy of "turning flaws into features" they now say:
"This is not a flaw, this is a characteristic of fine plush carpets."
Finally, using a time-honored marketing strategy of "turning flaws into features" they now say:
"This is not a flaw, this is a characteristic of fine plush carpets."
