Several years ago I visited the Harrogate Carpet Manufacturers Exhibition and I specifically browsed the stands which where exhibiting Belgium Wilton’s. On the back of one swatch sample read something along the following lines:
1. ‘This carpet should be left to acclimatise within the property 7 days prior to installation’. I personally cannot see any fitter that will drop off a carpet at a clients home and say: 'I'll be back next week missus to fit it for you'. I would suggest that this simply does not happen.
2. The next stipulation was that these carpets should be fitted on double gripper rods. I have only seen on one occasion where this had been the case, and this was only at the warp chain far edges of a very large lounge/dining room.
3. The third stipulation was that the carpets should be loosely laid and not 'stretched in' under tension.
Some Belgium Wilton carpets contract significantly with atmospheric moisture, so just bear this in mind when you come to clean them with any cleaning process using moisture. These stipulations could be considered a legal get out for the carpet manufacturers from the call back problems associated with these types of carpets? I am sure you can make up your own minds on that subject. I also understand that Belgium Wilton’s were a significant cause of insurance claims within our industry, which obviously means that there are many carpet cleaning companies that are falling foul of these products.
To explain how to identify Belgium Wilton’s through information within an article could be done, and I have written about in a past Newslink article, but probably still leaves the unwary carpet cleaner unsure. The best advice that can be given is to go along to a local retailer and have a look at these products ‘first hand’. As soon as you become familiar with Belgium Wilton’s, you should be able to smell them from at least 30 paces away.
So How do I deal with the client?
To advise the client of all the associated problems verbally is not sufficient to hold up in court should things take a turn for the worst. This must be placed in writing, and a signature obtained from the client, which authorises you to proceed at the client’s own risk 'with their full understanding'.
A good idea would be for a pre-drafted disclaimer form to be compiled that specifies these technicalities and the terms that you are willing to undertake the cleaning works.
How I personally deal with the situation is to assess and balance what I call the: ‘for and against logic’.
Against wet cleanings favour:
A high level of soiling.
Barely meeting at edges, or already away.
Highly tensioned carpet.
A carpet that has not been wet cleaned previously suggests an unknown quantity.
Fitted on single gripper rods.
Having a concrete or bitumastic flooring with nailed in grippers.
In the cleanings favour:
Light soiling
Firmly fitted, over well-anchored Gripper rods.
Double gripper rods
Carpet appears to have minimal tension.
Carpet has been wet cleaned previously without adverse reaction.
Grippers well anchored into wood floorboards
Whatever the outcome of this equation/ balance, it is still down to the client to make the ultimate decision to proceed or not, although they rely on the cleaners professionals advice. The situation is like the risk of Russian roulette (without the fatalities), but if the trigger is to be pulled then the client should pull it, and take any subsequent responsibility away from you.
One other thing to consider is that as much as you forewarn your client, verbally or in writing, if things do go wrong you will still be known as the carpet cleaner that shrank No. 42s carpets.
Its food for thought isn’t it. Think about it!!!
Regards
Robert Olifent
