[Bryan H]

Hi Guys,

Got a small problem - cleaned a carpet recently with a small red blob which had sunk to bottom of pile.  assumed it to be kiddies play paint or similiar.  Tried to remove prior to clean but could not do so totally, so went ahead & cleaned the carpet, client was out. Only the very tiniest of marks was left, needed glasses to see it.  Unfortunately what remained at the base of carpet seemed to have wicked up & is now the size of a ten pence piece.  Client of course blames me & initially denied that the mark was there to start with, although it could be seen from the doorway !

I am going back in the morning to see if I can remove.

If I can't, do you think she has a claim against me.

It appears to be water soluable & when I could remove no more by hand tool or spotting, I believed that I had done all that was possible.  I did not expect it to flare out.

Bryan

[Big_Fish]

Hello Bryan,

We had a mark like this. It was water base marker pen on the back of the carpet. We have also had similar on fabric where the pattern has been drawn onto the cloth before cutting.
On both occasions it took some explaining.

Good Luck

Nicky

[woodman]

Hi Bryan

She probably try and claim,

if it's water soluble you may still be able to get it out, try eco-spotter and extract.

You may also have to take a look at the back of the carpet and the underlay.If the problem has migrated to the underlay and is left it will wick back up again when damp.

Simply place a bit of gaffer tape over the mark on the back of the carpet and if it's on the underlay then cover that with the tape aswell.This will prevent wick back.You can then treat the mark as normal.

If this also fails there's still hope, if the area isn't to large it can be re-tufted , if this is something you can't do your self then let us know and it can be arranged for you.

[nick.solution]

Hi Bryan

Firstly No the client is not in a position to claim against you. Unless He/ She advised of the posibility that something happened in the particular area, Depending on what you "promised" you could do.

This type of stain is becoming more apparent and sometimes requires a second clean, if you use either a solvent chemical or an alcohol based spotter such Solution Eco spotter. try to work to dry each do not over wet.

Best regards Nick

[SMP]

Would something like Prochem Absorbastain (or whatever that chalk is called) not be appropriate?  After cleaning off as much of the stain as possible, keeping it as dry as possible, sprinkle a pile of the powder over the area.  If wicking occurs it should wick all the way up into the chalk.

I did this once on a wood dye stain - it was fascinating to find an area withing the chalk that the dye had wicked up into and formed a round hard lump.

Just a thought.

Cheers

[Len Gribble]

Bryan

Take a hair drier with you, this will speed up drying and help stop wicking up.

Len

[Doug Holloway]

Bryan,

Did you bring the red blob with you ?

No of course you did'nt , so don't let anyone try to bully you into thinking that their problem has now become your problem.

Be firm , be strong , be fair,

Cheers,

Doug

[Nobby]

I would go along the stain absorber route mentioned above.

Nobby

[Bryan H]

Thanks guys,

No I don't  think I am liable, as of course I didn't bring the red blob with me  :   I havn't got any absorbant powder,  would talc do I wonder ??

Woodman,     I've not done any re-tufting for years,  eyes not as young as they used to be, but I do have a cookie cutter, if she would allow me to use it.

She won't expect to pay though, so I guess I'd have to do anything FOC   -   not looking forward to tomorrow.

Bryan
 

[Dynafoam]

Bryan,

I would not recommend the use of talc - this can adhere to the fibres, requiring you to use methods of removal that could lead to further up-wicking.

Kitchen or cotton towels, used as a poultice and weighted to ensure good fibre contact are a better option.

When applying your chosen solvent, do so sparingly and between blots to avoid re-mobilising the deeper pigmentation.

[The Great One]

Hi

I think this post increases the need to invest in either a digital camera or camera phone.

I am going to invest a.s.a.p.

Regards

Martin

[Bryan H]

Hi,

Just an update on my red blob.   Managed to remove using Red RX & hot iron 99.9%   Nothing else would touch it.

It was a 'water-washable' felt pen.  I found some more in close proximity. (pens not stains)

Slight lightening of the off white carpet,  she's not happy about that now  -  whats the betting I get another call demanding a free re-tuft.  She'll be lucky !
Think Iv'e done my bit,  60 mile round trip & 2 hrs on the job ! 

The signs on my van say Carpet Cleaner  -  not miracle worker !  Although I reckon most of us do the near impossible most days !

Bryan

[The Great One]

Hi

Tell her you've used the best stuff but it's not 'Jesus in a bottle'

Good luck!

Regards

Martin