Carpet lovers often ask us how to protect their carpet warranty. Well, there are a lot of do’s and don’ts. The fact is, you can void your warranty without lifting a finger. We’ll tell you how to protect your carpet warranty and get the longest life out of your carpet.
What is Covered in Your Carpet Warranty?
There’s a lot of confusion out there among carpet lovers. That confusion starts with industry labeling. A baseline carpet warranty, which many manufacturers call a “wear warranty,” doesn’t really cover standard wear (and-tear). That means your carpet won’t qualify for a repair or replacement just because it shows signs of crushing, matting and abrasion dullness.
With great carpet care, degradation can be delayed. However, over time, everyday foot traffic will effect the appearance of your carpet. That said, warranty coverage is generally limited to defective merchandise and structural failure. This type of failure is where the carpet actually pulls apart or detaches from your floor.
If you want a warranty that covers the new look and feel of your carpet, hunt down products with “Appearance Retention” or “Stain and Fade” warranties. Manufacturers willing to guarantee the appearance or the performance of their products are confident of the quality of that product. They know you’ll be paying top dollar for that level of quality, up front. They also put their money on the unlikeliness such warranty coverage will be redeemed.
Pro Tip: If you are a carpet buyer, keep in mind that no warranties cover soiling and everyday dirt. Manufacturers say everyday maintenance and soil removal are the homeowner’s responsibility.
It is Easy to Void A Carpet Warranty.
There is always fine print, right? Like home Insurance or health Insurance, carpet “Insurance” comes with a host of specific conditions. Granted, the fiber type may effect coverage. But no matter the construction, your carpet is going to have an expiration date that is tied to the product’s cost and quality.
Warranties guarantee coverage for a limited timeframe – anything from five years up to twenty, for superior, luxury carpet. If your carpet has issues after that expiration date, you will not be able to claim warranty coverage.
There are several reasons your manufacturer may reject a claim. You may void your warranty if you install a residential carpet for a commercial application. You may also lose coverage if the usage conditions or foot traffic in your venue is higher than allowed. Furthermore, a manufacturer may not honor your claim if you do not maintain that carpet as specified in their contract.
It can come down to finger pointing too. Manufacturers can point to poor installation. In response, installers may blame the end user for maintenance failures. Coming full circle, homeowners can turn around and finger the carpet’s quality. This “they said, we said” dynamic is a clear reason to work with carpet specialists rather than big box stores or discount franchises. The service a buyer gets from local retailers, not to mention the accountability, is worth the cost.
In the blame game, the consumers can control only two things. At the outset, a homeowner choose the quality of product they purchase. After installation, that buyer determines the way that wall-to-wall flooring is maintained. There are two effective ways to protect your carpet warranty. One, before you buy, look for a quality carpet with comprehensive coverage. Two, be prepared to provide ongoing maintenance and periodic professional cleanings.
An Ounce of Prevention Helps Protect Your Carpet Warranty.
It can be easy to forget that one of your manufacturer’s warranty requirements has to do with how you live with your carpet. Professionals identify four areas of preventative maintainence that can protect your carpet warranty and guarantee the longevity of your flooring. Follow our advice to ensure the greatest likelihood that your warranty will kick in, if that flooring fails.
When it comes to prevention, carpets last longer when homeowners control the amount of daily dirt and grit that gets tracked onto their flooring. Among the easy strategies that cut down on soil transference, are the use of doormats, the habit of sweeping entry zones free of grit and the choice to take your shoes off before entering carpeted zones.
A second great strategy minimizes sunlight damage with the use of effective window coverings. Thirdly, by cleaning your air ducts and regularly changing HVAC filters, you can avoid filtration soiling. A fourth strategy is to use furniture coasters under the legs of your heavier furnishings to cut down on damage caused by the weight compressing your carpet fibers.
Effective Carpet Maintenance Requires Time and Money.
An imporant part of your carpet’s maintenance plan is regularly scheduled vacuuming. Some manufacturers suggest no less than one whole-house vacuuming per week – to remove dirt from carpeted areas and all other flooring as well. They also recommend daily cleaning of the high-traffic areas on your carpet.
That’s a hefty commitment. Leaving your shoes at the door suddenly sounds more reasonable, right? The trade-off for all that cleaning effort is that your carpet will show less dirt and discoloration. More than that, its fibers will retain their texture and luminosity over time.
It may go without saying, but a third maintenance priority is the immediate response to any stains or spills. Wine or coffee, for example, can leave lasting discoloration on light-colored carpet. If you do have a spill, beware of unsolicited advice about how to remove spots from carpet.
The carpet care pros lay out the best reponse to a host of likely accidents. In mosts cases, you’ll want to blot first. However, you won’t likely know which gentle cleaning products and protocols to use to completely remove the spot. For the best results, call an IICRC certified carpet cleaner and ask that provider how best to respond.
Please be advised: You will need to schedule a professional cleaning of your carpet every 12 to 18 months. This care is required by your carpet manufacturer. The specific interval between cleanings is stipulated by your warranty. Manufacturers recognize hot water extraction as the best method of deep cleaning.
An Important DIY Don’t.
Don’t confuse professional service with your big-box rental of a DIY carpet cleaning machine. These devices often leave too much detergent or water in the pile of your carpet, leading to rapid re-soiling and the growth of bacteria and mildew.
Instead, do call the pros. Professional cleaners have the best equipment and cleaning solutions for the job. Make sure that your chosen company is IICRC certified and let them talk you through the benefits of carpet protection after two or more deep cleanings.
While carpets come from the manufacturer pre-protected, that additive can wear off over time. Give your carpet the best chance to respond to cleaning and stand up to wear and tear. Ask your cleaner about carpet protection.
What’s the Takeaway?
There are many ways to compromise the warranty coverage on your carpet, whether in a commercial setting or a residential application. Given your warranty’s limitations, it is better to consider the carpet quality up front and keep it deeply clean, rather than counting on a warranty to rescue under-performing textiles from regular wear-and-tear.
It is always up to the manufacturer whether they will honor your carpet claim. However, these strategies will hedge your coverage bet:
- Do buy from a local flooring specialist rather than a big-box retailer.
- Do choose your carpet based on the intended venue and likely wear and tear.
- Do use easy preventative strategies to protect your carpet. It is possible to stop soil at the door.
- Do minimize contaminants in your home environment by keeping your HVAC system clean.
- Do vacuum regularly and respond immediately to spots or spills.
- Don’t follow internet advice when addressing stains on your carpet. If you are unsure what to do, call the pros.
- Do schedule professional carpet cleanings based on the requirements of your warranty.
- Don’t rely on DIY efforts and rented equipment. You can easily worsen your carpet’s condition. Also, your efforts will not honor the manufacturer’s policy.
- Do choose IICRC certified cleaning companies who use hot water extraction. Schedule service every 12-18 months.
A Few Last Thoughts…
Trends come and go but carpet is a timeless investment. And like any investment, with carpet, you get what you pay for. Yes, all carpet products come with a warranty. But it can be difficult to redeem warranty coverage for anything but the worst product failures.
If your carpet does “unravel”, you need to make your claim within your warranty’s limited timeframe. The older your carpet is, the more likely the manufacturer will prorate its value and the allowance they offer you for repair or replacement. But don’t despair. There is a lot you can do to lengthen the lifetime of your flooring. Provide your carpet with the care it needs and partner with cleaning pros for periodic deep cleanings.
Whether or not your manufacturer steps up, your carpet and your wallet will thank you.
For more advice about buying carpet and pointers for your carpet’s care, enjoy the following: