This article provided by: Bane-Clene Systems Indianapolis, Indiana www.baneclene.com from “The Clene Times” Vol 19, No. 9 Sept 2009.
Title: The sin of omission
Most carpet installers don’t like them but carry one on their truck. Power (pole) stretchers are necessary in re-stretch jobs but are seldom used for normal installations. The reason installers don’t like them is that they’re heavy, time consuming and obnoxious to use. Installation is a hard enough job and often is grossly underpaid thanks to cheap promotions, unscrupulous carpet merchants or a combination of both.
It’s a lot quicker and easier to just “kick” them in. But, after installation without a stretcher the carpet relaxes with a little humidity and seams begin to peak like pup tents ay a boy scout encampment. Carpet cleaning firms can profit from sloppy installation by offering re-stretch service. It’s interesting, but when re-stretching a carpet, customers are often surprised and asked about the power stretcher. They often say, “the installer never used anything that looked like that.” It’s difficult to explain that it’s not the fault of the carpet to irate clients who most times do blame the carpet.
Thr right way!
Meanwhile, CRI (http://carpet-rug.org/) has embarked on a program to blame carpet cleaners for the mills’ warranty problems since we’re the last ones in the carpet chain to see the customer and we make such an easy target. Carpet warranties have been chosen as the vehicle to facilitate this “blame the cleaner” gig. Carpet mills certainly can’t afford and don’t want to offend the carpet retailer who buys their product or the installer who may work for the sales outlet.
To counter this injustice, literature will soon be available to help cleaners explain this dilemma to their customers without blaming the carpet. We must all try to remember that carpet is our friend. Apparently some in the carpet business have forgotten that! End
As you can see, we cleaners can be held responsible for the poor craftmanship of other. As a consumer some questions you may want to ask your retailer are:
- During installation will a power stretcher be used
- Are the installers certified
- Will the carpet ripple when cleaned
- Are seams tight and guaranteed to last
Thanks to Bane-Clene Systems for their great advise and don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions.
- David Mavilio
- Regal Fabric Care
- 781-995-0683
- www.regalclean.com
- david.mavilio@regalclean.com
