Advice on Horrid Berber Carpet

[WinniWoman]

We had our master bedroom carpet replaced with a very light colored BERBER about 2 years ago. Our old carpet was 24 years old and we thought Berber was a no maintenance carpet and I liked the look. Well, here we are 2 years later and the threads are matted down like we have had the carpet for 20 years! When I vacuumed it one day with my upright, a piece of thread got caught and tore the carpet, resulting in me having to pay a carpet repairman. Now, I cannot use that vacuum cleaner anymore and have resorted to a stick vac (which is basically a Dustbuster with a handle) because I can't have a vacuum with rotary brushes that could cause this problem again. On top of this, there are dark shadows/stains that come through the carpet- not a result of anything we do. Heck- we don't even wear shoes in our bedroom! I have tried to clean whatever they are by blotting with Woolite and a damp towel and sometimes it looks as though it had helped, but then it just continually gets worse again.

Does anyone have any insight or advice on this issue? This carpet cost a lot of money and unfortunately, replacement is not an option. The place I bought it from has been help at all. I contacted them within a year of the purchase and they blew me off.

 

[PStreet1]

Any documentation of having contacted the sellers? If so, you might be able to make a case to the manufacturer. I would think the manufacturer's warranty would be for a year, but of course, you are beyond that. However, with pictures/documentation of contacting the seller, the manufacturer might do something, even as a good will gesture.

 

[Passepartout]

I agree with Pat. At the very minimum, you should go to the retailer and register a complaint. See the owner, not some schmuck salesman. They may well go to bat for you with the maker. There is absolutely NO reason you should not be able- even encouraged to use a rotary, Beater Bar type vacuum. A decent berber, or sculptured carpet should be the best carpet- except for a commercial type, low, level-loop for residential use. Back almost 40 years ago, I was in the 'bidness' and saw several instances where the whole houseful of carpet was replaced by the manufacturer at no cost to the buyer. All that was necessary was the dated receipt, and statements that the carpet was in residential use, and properly maintained. Your inability to properly vacuum it would be grounds enough for replacement. It simply SHOULD NOT fray with a vacuum. Oh, it shouldn't mat either, but that may be caused by gunk down in the nap, next to the backing, that hasn't been able to be removed by vacuuming.

Good Luck. I think you could well get a new carpet out of this. Be firm.

Jim

 

[vacationhopeful]

I had residential grade wall-to-wall berber rugs in one house. Before I brought it, the owner had 2 cats living there for 2+ years - long hair cats. He did not own a vacuum cleaner of ANY TYPE.

I did own a rotary vacuum cleaner; first got rid of the excess cat hair and second, had the rugs professionally cleaned. I lived there for about a year before reselling the place.

The rugs still looked great when I sold the place.

Yes, I got a very good deal on the house.

 

[Paumavista]

We had Berber for years

Berber carpets are/were very popular in our neighborhood and area in San Diego and the carpets looked beautiful for many, many years with no special cleaning or maintenance issues.....In fact we installed them again in the kids rooms here in S. Carolina and when we just sold the house last year they looked fine after 5 years........I've never heard of the problems you're describing.....I would definitely go back to where ever you purchased the carpet and the people who installed them and speak with someone....this sounds highly unusual....dark shadows/stains.....I would want someone to come look at this!

 

[Rose Pink]

In addition to the advice already given, I think I'd be pulling up that carpet to see what is under the shadows and stains. Could there possibly be a mold issue beneath the carpet or in the pad? Is it something from the installation such as an adhesive? Is the padding bad?

You can retack the carpet back down after you look to see if there is an underlying problem. You say that replacement is not an option. Is going without a carpet an option? What is the floor beneath the carpet?

 

[WinniWoman]

We bought this carpet from 1800empire- they are located on new Jersey- we are in rural Hudson valley NY. I am going to get my receipt out and see if it has the manufacturers name on it. It really is terrible- and yes- it is a low level loop type carpet. There is nothing underneath except plywood- no mold issues, etc. I contacted the seller once and they sent someone to look at what happened with the vacuum and quoted m3 like $900 to fix it with a new patch of carpeting! I got a guy in for $80 to repair it.

As for the matting, it was matting even before I stopped the rotary vacuuming. The vacuuming would raise the loops and make it look nice and then once we walked on it it would flatten again!

 

[vacationhopeful]

Empire Carpets -- been advertising for years as a cheap carpet & free installation. Sorry for your experience.

I have found the local owner operated businesses to be MUCH better for helping or correcting a problem. Have also found they know which carpet manufacturers provide quality carpets.

And their sales quotes and in home with samples - very high pressure. My one local carpet business man HATES doing a measurement where the people are waiting for the Empire guy - only a few of those people call him back to buy; most call months later for him to SOLVE for free or very cheaply the new issues they have with their new carpets.

 

[sjsharkie]

We had our master bedroom carpet replaced with a very light colored BERBER about 2 years ago. Our old carpet was 24 years old and we thought Berber was a no maintenance carpet and I liked the look. Well, here we are 2 years later and the threads are matted down like we have had the carpet for 20 years! When I vacuumed it one day with my upright, a piece of thread got caught and tore the carpet, resulting in me having to pay a carpet repairman.

Does anyone have any insight or advice on this issue? This carpet cost a lot of money and unfortunately, replacement is not an option. The place I bought it from has been help at all. I contacted them within a year of the purchase and they blew me off.

Not sure what material your Berber carpet is made out of. Olefin is the cheapest, but it is notoriously susceptible to crushing (likely the matting problem you talk about) and snags. From your description, it sounds like you have a looped Berber carpet -- if you snag something on it, it can tear easily if not repaired. Crushing can also make the carpet look dirty due to the way it reflects light.

The salesman should have warned you about these drawbacks. I'm not sure what you can do other than to check your warranty and see if you have any recourse.

Good luck.

 

[Passepartout]

We bought this carpet from 1800empire

Any chance that the decision to buy from them was based on price? All carpet is not created equal. Caveat Emptor. Buyer beware.

 

[Elan]

Don't want to hijack the thread, but this is kind of related: Is there a way to tell what brand & style a particular carpet is? We have a short shag off-white variegated carpet in our living room that's held up wonderfully given that we have 3 kids and aren't a "remove your shoes" household. I have a remnant from the installation 12+ years ago, and I wouldn't mind replacing other carpet in our house with something similar. Could an experienced carpet person tell me the brand/style from the remnant?

 

[PigsDad]

As for the matting, it was matting even before I stopped the rotary vacuuming. The vacuuming would raise the loops and make it look nice and then once we walked on it it would flatten again!

That is usually the result of a carpet that does not have proper density. If the loops are not packed in tight enough, then there is very little support for the carpet to stand up and will start to mat down. This is usually the sign of a lower-grade carpet; it looks good at first, but does not last long.

Kurt

 

[Passepartout]

I have a remnant from the installation 12+ years ago, and I wouldn't mind replacing other carpet in our house with something similar. Could an experienced carpet person tell me the brand/style from the remnant?

Not likely to discern the brand, but the style, weight, and fiber should be able to be figured out. Almost certainly, after 12 years, the one you bought then has been 'updated' (made more cheaply) or discontinued. I worked in the bidness over there for Sunset Floors who I don't think is still in business. This was back in the '70's. Jim, I'd take the rem and shop it around some of the older F.C. stores in town. Maybe Carpet One, or CarpetMasters on Fairview. I worked there until the owner fired me and my partner for doing more work after hours than on his jobs.

Jim

 

[riverdees05]

We have Berber in our house and have had endless problems with the seams. Never again!

 

[Elan]

Not likely to discern the brand, but the style, weight, and fiber should be able to be figured out. Almost certainly, after 12 years, the one you bought then has been 'updated' (made more cheaply) or discontinued. I worked in the bidness over there for Sunset Floors who I don't think is still in business. This was back in the '70's. Jim, I'd take the rem and shop it around some of the older F.C. stores in town. Maybe Carpet One, or CarpetMasters on Fairview. I worked there until the owner fired me and my partner for doing more work after hours than on his jobs.

Jim

Thanks. Good point about it likely being made more cheaply now.

It really is amazing how well this carpet cleans up with just our Hoover cleaner. If it had a slightly darker base color it would likely look even better.

 

[MuranoJo]

I posted on an older thread about the berber in our media room looking pretty worn. However, for 21-year-old carpet, it really has held up pretty well. Not sure I'd get berber again, though, for a high-traffic area.

 

[rapmarks]

I installed berber about 12 years ago, I usually have people comment that I got new carpeting, this many years later.

 

[WinniWoman]

Any chance that the decision to buy from them was based on price? All carpet is not created equal. Caveat Emptor. Buyer beware.

No. The price was outrageous! I decided to use them for the convenience of them coming to our home with samples, etc. as we live in a rural area and I was pretty exhausted after just going through a horrendous year with my mother dying. I was willing to pay for the convenience and thought I was getting an expensive, quality carpet. I have done some research and so far have found that there are 2 types of Berber carpet- nylon and synthetic (Olefin as mentioned above by another Tugger). The synthetic one is the problem, as there is supposedly a chemical that they use in the manufacturing process and if it doesn't dry thoroughly it can show up in the carpet over time in spots. I am assuming that is the cause of our stain problem.

 

[WinniWoman]

Not sure what material your Berber carpet is made out of. Olefin is the cheapest, but it is notoriously susceptible to crushing (likely the matting problem you talk about) and snags. From your description, it sounds like you have a looped Berber carpet -- if you snag something on it, it can tear easily if not repaired. Crushing can also make the carpet look dirty due to the way it reflects light.

The salesman should have warned you about these drawbacks. I'm not sure what you can do other than to check your warranty and see if you have any recourse.

Good luck.

Yes. That is exactly what our situation is. You nailed it. The salesperson said we should have n issues with our carpet since we were using it in a Master Bedroom where there is little traffic. Yeah- right.

 

[WinniWoman]

Empire Carpets -- been advertising for years as a cheap carpet & free installation. Sorry for your experience.

I have found the local owner operated businesses to be MUCH better for helping or correcting a problem. Have also found they know which carpet manufacturers provide quality carpets.

And their sales quotes and in home with samples - very high pressure. My one local carpet business man HATES doing a measurement where the people are waiting for the Empire guy - only a few of those people call him back to buy; most call months later for him to SOLVE for free or very cheaply the new issues they have with their new carpets.

Definitely wasn't cheap.

 

[Passepartout]

From the OP

Does anyone have any insight or advice on this issue? This carpet cost a lot of money and unfortunately, replacement is not an option. The place I bought it from has been [no] help at all. I contacted them within a year of the purchase and they blew me off.

If you can't get support from the retailer, I don't know where else you could turn. Perhaps a bad BBB report might persuade them to take another look at the carpet and get the manufacturer to either replace it or make an adjustment to satisfy you. Any decent retailer knows they have to satisfy customers to get repeat business. They can not succeed by abandoning customers after one sale.

Good Luck.

P.S. As you can see from other posts, many people have and have received good service from Berber style carpets. All Berber isn't 'horrid'. You either got something defective, or inappropriate for the application.

 

[Rose Pink]

Did I miss it? Have you contacted the manufacturer? I know you contacted the seller and they were of no help.

The manufacturer may be interested to know that the retailer is not supporting their product.

FWIW, I have sculptured berber carpet in my basement. I've had a few problems with pulled loops and called in the carpet repair guy but nothing major. I would buy it again.

 

[vacationhopeful]

Definitely wasn't cheap.

Should have said CHEAPLY made carpets - sold in your home. Around here there are a dozen plus carpet selling bricks & mortar stores and then there is Empire Carpets. Lots & lots of TV ads (and how do they pay for them); print ads in the Sunday papers and Shopper's Guides.

It is like letting a timeshare sales person come to your home - they are slick and seem very knowledgeable. I had them ONCE 20+ years ago meet me at an almost empty storefront. Yes, the place needed carpet, but the salesperson was annoyed it was NOT my home, I knew something about the price of carpets and installation and did NOT accept it as standard installation of wall to wall carpets as being less the 11'6" wide rooms only or metal joiner strips as a seem agent verses heat activated glue with a backing tape (that is what their "leader" price special sale item). Ghetto carpeting practices at designer prices. I asked a million questions and changed directions several times .... got him to write up several offers ... until he saw I was NOT buying his rotten and overprice carpet & installation.

 

[WinniWoman]

Should have said CHEAPLY made carpets - sold in your home. Around here there are a dozen plus carpet selling bricks & mortar stores and then there is Empire Carpets. Lots & lots of TV ads (and how do they pay for them); print ads in the Sunday papers and Shopper's Guides.

It is like letting a timeshare sales person come to your home - they are slick and seem very knowledgeable. I had them ONCE 20+ years ago meet me at an almost empty storefront. Yes, the place needed carpet, but the salesperson was annoyed it was NOT my home, I knew something about the price of carpets and installation and did NOT accept it as standard installation of wall to wall carpets as being less the 11'6" wide rooms only or metal joiner strips as a seem agent verses heat activated glue with a backing tape (that is what their "leader" price special sale item). Ghetto carpeting practices at designer prices. I asked a million questions and changed directions several times .... got him to write up several offers ... until he saw I was NOT buying his rotten and overprice carpet & installation.

Well, I guess I was stupid. I hadn't bought carpeting in over 20+ years. I was under a lot of personal stress also that year and just wanted to shop the easiest way possible. I was so tired. I do have another call into Empire and received a voice mail message from them from someone in their corporate office) so I will be contacting them tomorrow. I got the name of the manufacturer as well. The carpet does have warranties on it. I am hoping for a replacement, but I am sure that is overly optimistic. My original carpet that was replaced was purchased at SEARS when I was just 31 years old and pregnant and I knew from nothing about carpets and that carpet served us well all these past years- dogs and my son and everything. I can't be an expert in everything.

 

[WinniWoman]

Thanks to the posters here on TUG, I remained persistent and am happy to report that the carpet company agreed to replace our carpet with a $250 labor charge only. I had researched and found the phone number for the carpet manufacturer and contacted them directly (since there are obviously warranties on the carpet) after being told by the carpet company that the claim was denied by the manufacturer (after their
2nd "inspection"). They did have my claim, but after my explanation they called the carpet company and -lo and behold -I received a call today from them with the good news! A salesperson is going to come to my home next month with samples and then we will set up the install. They said I would get a carpet in the same price range I paid, but obviously will be advised on better quality.

We will see how this all plays out. Thanks to everyone (and my Facebook friends as well- who told me I had grounds to sue and certainly to put in a Better Business Bureau complaint, which I was just about to do)