Steve
Testing is something that is an essential part of our working lives and not something that you necessarily need a kit for, just the products you carry in your van. You need to inspect/test the quality of the fitting, seams etc. The type of fibre(s) in pile and backing and the type of carpet/fabric construction. We usually test unidentified fibres by burning a sample, a float test for polyprop. We test for dye bleed and pile distortion with our acidic and alkaline cleaning solutions, at the temperature and concentration to be used. We will also do dry and wet Crock tests. The inspection doesn't finish for me until I've finished the Dry Extraction process (vaccing). But even then, even whilst cleaning, you need to keep your good glass eye peeled for the unexpected. DIY gripper rod fitted the wrong way round. Flattened teeth on a doorway metal bar. An old spillage that's re-acting adversely to the cleaning process and so on.
Can I suggest to all less experienced technicians that a quality training course, such as those offered by the NCCA or IICRC are an essential investment of your time and money.
