What if my carpet is damaged?

The most common problem with carpets is staining. The best advice is immediately following a spill, remove any semi-solid material with a rounded spoon. Place a clean, white absorbent material such as paper towels or a kitchen towel over the spot and press to draw the liquid away from the carpet fibers. The idea is to blot, not to scrub.

As soon as towels are wet, replace with dry ones and continue. Then place dry ones on the spot and weigh them down with a heavy object. Again, replace them when they grow wet. If the stain persists, it may be necessary to call a professional carpet cleaner (see above).

Other carpet damage

Some carpet damage can be dealt with without calling for the professionals but bigger jobs will need a practiced hand to ensure the safety of your carpet. Companies such as London Carpet Repairs specialise in carpet repairs but most ordinary carpet installers are relatively affordable to hire for just small jobs.

What can I do myself?

Carpet dents

Heavy furniture can leave indentations in carpet. In this case prevention is better than cure. Try to put furniture glides or cups under the furniture legs, or occasionally move your furniture a couple of inches to give your carpet a break. When areas have become crushed, use a coin to work the carpet pile back upright, then hold a steam iron not more than 4 inches above the spot - don't actually touch the carpet - until the iron warms the fibres.

Carpet fading

Once carpet has faded, there is no way to revive the colour. So protect it from damage by the sun's ultraviolet light with the help of shades or other window coverings. Or utilize window glazing or films that reduce ultraviolet rays.

Sprouting tufts

If a tuft rises above the rest of the carpet pile, do not pull it out - just snip it off flush with the surface.

When do I need a professional?

Carpet snags

A snag occurs when a loop is pulled out of a loop&cord carpet. It is a relatively easy job for a professional but can cause nightmares for an amateur to restitch it in.

Split seams and tears

For tears or problems with seams in wall-to-wall carpeting, it's a must to contact a professional carpet installer. To do the work properly, you must release the tension of the carpet, a job that requires a few special carpet installation tools and a experience in working with carpeting.

Carpet rippling

If your wall-to-wall carpet suddenly appears to be rippled, it's probably because of high humidity. Normally, this problem disappears on its own when the weather becomes drier. If it doesn't, have a carpet installer re-stretch your carpet.