[chris78**]

Hi There,
            I did a loung carpet the other day, Nothing special but not sure what it was made from.

Not a lot of water used and low heat (35 degrees)

Once i had finished it looked as if it was coming away from the carpet grip.

After i had packed away it was half inch away.

I then phoned a carpet fitter to put it right and he informed me that this is common when fitters use hot glue(not sure what that is)

The customer then phoned 3 hours later and informed me it was coming away on all sides.

Anyone know what i have done wrong.

By the time i had left the carpet was about dry!

Many Thanks

Chris

[trevor perry]

sounds like belguim wilton to me and yes it probbly is shrunk.

[Mike Osbourne]

Agree with Trevor,

Usually they have big patterns on them. Check the backing and see if you can see the pattern and cotton running through. Then do a float test wit a pile fibre. If it floats its PP and therefore needs respect with H2O as it will go straight to backing.

From previous posts, I think the general advice is- don't panic, don't get someone to try and force it back straight away. Assure custy and get someone in after a week.

Lots of advice on searches for Belgian wilton.

Although, did you check grippers thoroughly? Same advice if not a BW don't get a kicker on it straight away.   

[Mike Halliday]

let it relax for a couple of days then kick it back, it will go back slightly in that time.

what you did wrong was clean it without knowing what it was

Mike

[chris78**]

Cheers,
   
Do you have a link to a picture of a belgium wilton to see if it looks similar.

I have seen carpets like this before and never in 5 years had a problem! I knew it had to happen some time

Thanks

Chris

[markpowell]

Hi,
You need to get a fibre and do a float test, if it floats then the face fibre is polyprop. This is the most common fibre used to construct Belgian wiltons.
You need to lift the carpet up in one corner, look at the weft shots, do they run in both directions crossing each other, if so it is likely to be belgian wilton.
Most  belgian wiltons are patterned.
You are lucky to have gone 5 years without a shrinkage if you are not carrying out the basic tests prior to cleaning, it can save you a lot of time and money.
Mark

[Mike Osbourne]

Out of interest, if you don't check fibre type, what do you use for pre-spray.

I can't say hand on heart I check every carpet but any doubt I do and definately if it would benefit from something that isn't wool safe.

[maxcarpets]

I had a shrinker back in the summer, not a BW just loose grippers it pulled up along two edges. OH S*** I thought that'll teach me not to check! In a panic I rang my local carpet fitter to sort it out for me, then the lady came home and said, oh well dont worry about as long as its clean. So i gave myself a big kick up the ass and a huge pheeeeww! It did look a bit dramatic though! every time I looked back it was getting further away from the wall.
Still, lesson learnt!

Cheers

Justin

[John Gregory]

chris been cleaning carpets for a mere 8 months , I can see a belgium wilton before I even get on the custys drive . Maybe a bit training wound help

john

[Mark Lane-Matthews]

Some are obvious ,and some are not.
                                          Mark

[*paul_moss]

Just be carful. Patterned B/W can be easily identified but there are also alot of plain ones out there as Mark states that are not that easy to recoqnise at first.
The good news is that most of the B/W bought these days dont shrink as they have changed the backing weave.

Best thing do do is on your free day go along to Allied or one of the big carpet retailers and spend an hour checking out the  backing.
I usually do it every couple of months,you will be very supprised to see the different blends they are using these days.

[vangaurd]

i have been told by an indian
who is very clued up on carpets
and what paul is saying that company's are now making carpets that dont shrink
if your careful. you will not shrink any

[PaulKing]

let it relax for a couple of days then kick it back, it will go back slightly in that time.

what you did wrong was clean it without knowing what it was

Mike

totally good advice, get a very good fitter, pay the extra and it will go back if not don't worry they are not that expensive to replace anyway.

[mark_roberts]

Could also be one these new type carpets with a face fibre of wool and jute or just jute or even paper.  These will shrink before you eyes.

Perhaps some training is needed and insurance

Mark

[chris78**]

http://images.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&q=belgium+wilton&gbv=2

I take it these are Belgium wiltons?

This is not what i cleaned trust me.

The one i cleaned was light cream with a few small brown squares, Very basic off the shelf carpet.

Cheers

Chris

[John Kelly]

Chris, the bold designs which identified these carpets readily are not so evident now. They have much more subtle designs like what you describe. There are even plain versions available. A simple burn or float test and a glance at the backing, around radiator pipes is a good place to lift, will enable you to identify them.

[chris78**]

Hi John,
            Thanks for the info, I will have a look on Monday when i go back.


Cheers

Chris

[AquaMagic]

If you can see that back, a good way to id BW is that you can see the pattern on the back

Dene

[brian willis]

 Hi mate
  If you are unsure just put less water down, more dry stokes,stay away from edges and use an air mover,to dry out quicker.


        Cheers Bri

[calmore]

I think the term "Belgian Wilton" is misleading.

ANY carpet with a natural fibre woven backing WILL shrink if the backing gets wet.