[AshWhite]

Cleaned a NZ Wool carpet for a gentleman last week, he's called me to say that the carpet on the stairs looks worse that it did before (I also cleaned hallway, landing, dining room).

I cleaned using ultrapac with citraboost as there was traffic lane up the stairs, rinsed with F&F, then treated with Fluroseal, as he had been complaining about the carpet not being as resistant to stains as the salesman had led him to believe.

He has said there are dark patches up the stairs worse than before.

I've arranged to go there Monday morning to take a look, but what would be the best course of remedial action?

[AshWhite]

I should add, the carpet is very light coloured, almost white.

[neil 47]

Ash


4 chemicals ? its only a carpet

I would make sure its completely dry before doing anything .

Then I would spray with blitz and extract with( acid rinse and I m only saying that so the rest dont moan) , then dry with towels and a turbo dryer



Neil

[AshWhite]

lol, the 4th chemical was stain prevention treatment, not run of the mill clean.

I'm gutted cos it's the first time I've applied the Fluroseal, I just think perhaps it left the carpets a bit too damp.

Or it could be the backing coming through, I'll check on Monday.

[chrisjohn]

Ash

Shouldn't really be using Ultrapac on wool,too strong.

Chris

[AshWhite]

It didn't dwell for too long, and I acid rinsed to neutralise. I felt that the draught marks on the carpet warranted the product.

Fact is, I'm taking steps to rectify the situation, not ignoring it and doing a runner. No it is not a wind up.

[JandS]

Seems standards are slipping.

[Paul Redden Countryfresh]

Sounds like it could be dry dust wicking up

[Mr Dvae]

SORRY ASH i had a carpet some time ago, the more i cleaned the blacker it got, obviously a fault with the carpet but it aint funny when it happens.
Get some more info on monday and us oldies will try to help you out.
Dave

[wynne jones]

How long after did he call, it could still be wet and grinning if you protected it.

Sound like it's just showing the contrast of worn areas now its clean.

To use ultrapak I would have to think it was almost a skip job. Powerburst would be my choice.

[Mr Dvae]

black slippers can be a major problem, customers wear them on freshly cleaned carpet leaving a trail like an elephant with piles...

[AshWhite]

He called 4 days after it had been cleaned, so I'm assuming its not still waiting to dry out. He's a very genuine nice guy, not kicking off - in fact I'd prefer to go to him today but I'm dying of man flu, and he's not complained.

Ill just have to play it by ear come monday.

Thanks for the input.

[peter maybury]

ultrapac and citra boost are both problem solvers, not everyday use chemicals.
Why use a mixture of the two together ?
You will read a lot of suggestions on here but you really can create problems for yourself.
A manufacturer making carpets making carpets that get blacker the more you clean them!
give Prochem technical a ring and ask them what they think of an ultrapac / citraboost mixture on wool mixture........
I have not asked them but it is probably an idea that they will not market...

Peter
www.carpetcleanercardiff.com

[james roffey]

Sounds like it could be dry dust wicking up

Had this happen to me a couple of times one wet pass, it looks clean you turn your back and the dirt is pulled through

[wynne jones]

He called 4 days after it had been cleaned, so I'm assuming its not still waiting to dry out. He's a very genuine nice guy, not kicking off - in fact I'd prefer to go to him today but I'm dying of man flu, and he's not complained.

Ill just have to play it by ear come monday.

Thanks for the input.

If they are a reasonable sort, the fact you come back to sort it will be in your favour. It could just be wear showing up more now it's clean. I would white towel it with some pureclean and see what comes off, if it's clean it ain't dirty.

[Phil Taylor]

This could be a number of things.

1. Simple bad wanding technique. Not keeping the tool horizontal to the carpet.
2. Underlay delamination. Goes powderey when failing.
3. Bad chems use, too high ph on wool.
4. Something the customer has used previously on carpet.
5. General dust blowing through gappy floorboards.

to name but a few, but you display the TACCA logo, surely this fundamental knowledge is vital to the criteria for membership?

I mean it does state on their website they are looking for quality carpet cleaner's only. Not having a go at you, but TACCA really needs to tighten their policy on vetting applicants!

[Griffus]

Best to avoid UP on wool. Sounds like you went straight in and nuked the thing without trying neutral ph firstly.

That said, if all looked well when you left it must be wick back, which would indicate the carpet being left too wet. Always hard to speed dry stairs but loads of dry passes and now you know of the issue, after recleaning I'd ensure dry, or as close as, before leaving. Try a turbo angled up the stairs or a hair dryer on low heat high blast....

In future go a bit more gentle on wool, it may be that you end up with no option other than to nuke but always square this approach to cover yourself before you start.

[AshWhite]

I tested the up under the stairs first, and it seems there is no problem with the landing, the hall, or the dining room. One of the main purposes for having them cleaned was that they had some builders in which had left patches of dust here and there which wouldn't shift.
I had to leave the carpet wetter than I would have preferred n as per the fluroseal directions which recommend leaving the carpet to dry naturally.

[Jim_77]

Ash, if you used the same solution and method on the rest of the carpet and the problem is only on the stairs, my guess is that underneath the carpet it might look a bit like this....



I'd guess you used a hand tool or stair tool, which concentrates the suction really hard so will be more likely than a wand to pull fine debris through the carpet.

If it is broken up underlay it is not your fault.  Your terms & conditions should have some wording to the effect of "we cannot be held responsible for matters arising due to defects in the item being worked upon which are not apparent upon pre-inspection".  Something like that

p.s. that photo belongs to another guy who posts on the forums, I saved it with permission but so long ago now I've forgotten who it was!!

[AshWhite]

The customer cancelled the appointment as he got called in to work, so I'm waiting on him to rearrange.

From what he's said, I think it will be the backing breaking down, but I'll reserve judgement until I see it myself, you know sometimes people make a mountain out of a molehill, and vice versa.

Appreciate the input Jim, and that's a great pic!