[wayne zabel]

Looked at a carpet yesterday that was about 35 years old.The underlay had perished to fine balck powder in parts..........Do I walk away?

[peter maybury]

is it a foam backed carpet or is it a separate underlay if it is a separate underlay it will need to be replaced if it is a foam back tell the customer they would be better to replace. When the foam breaks down it becomes so fine it will actually come through the carpet backing. particuarlly if there are very small holes where the carpet has been stretched with a knee kicker. Depends really what sort of condition and quality the carpet is in.

Peter
www.carpetcleanercardiff.com

[markpowell]

Prob gonna be a wool carpet Wayne if its 35 years old, tell the customer to have the underlay replaced then clean as normal.
Mark

[Ricky M]

Prob gonna be a wool carpet Wayne if its 35 years old, tell the customer to have the underlay replaced then clean as normal.
Mark

better still replace the under lay yourself then clean the carpet.

[Jim_77]

If you're going to replace underlay, vacuum the back of the carpet VERY well before it's re-laid otherwise you'll be pulling the dusty stuff through, it will have workied its way into the backing over the years.  I'd like to bet it's a decent axminster or wilton if it's 35 years old, a tufted carpet would be shot to bits by now, so there will be loads of space for the crud to get stuck in.

To be truthful, whatever carpet it is... bloody hell 35 years isn't it time they replaced it? :

If these are the last of the big spenders, they'll probably choke when quoted for whatever work is necessary!

[wayne zabel]

Thanks for the replies fellas,the carpet is actually my mother in laws in Cambridge.Weve been down to visit her over the weekend and she asked me to clean it next time we visit.

I had a good look at it but I dont think I'll bother now I have all your advise.

It is an Axminster that shes had for over 35 years and in remarkably good conditon.Pity about the underlay

[Jim_77]

Well if it's in good nick then it might be worth it, but it isn't a 5 minute job and I'd be looking for either a decent payment or a lot of brownie points in the bank!

[murky]

Wayne,

If its an Axminster why dont you bonnet it, they do come up well if they are done that way.

OR.

Ask Marc D'Alcorn to do it for you, he's down that way, we havent heard from him for a while and we all want to know what can go wrong for him again.

Van, machine, etc etc.

Murky

(Jokin Marc, keep goin mate)