Sheet Vinyl Defects
Causes, Responsibility & Solutions

Complaints about sheet vinyl floors are common. Many of them, unfortunately, can be traced to improper installation. Some installers simply don't get the right training for any number of reasons. Couple that with very specific installation methods and you can see why problems happen.

Common Complaints

The five most common customer complaints are:

• Seam Failure
• Wrong Adhesive
• Improper Use of Flooring
• Sub Floor Preparation
• Wrong Patching
• Wrong Trowelable Underlayment Material

Each of those complaints is an installer problem, not yours! If you are suffering from one of those problems, you need to dig in your heels and fight for what is right.

Other Problems

Sunlight, asphalt drives, clay soils, rubber floor mat bottoms, oil from cars, solvents, etc. can all cause discoloration problems with sheet vinyl. Moving heavy objects can tear the clear wear layer. Sheet vinyl is a tender product. You have to be careful with it.

Improper use of adhesives, installing vinyl over old adhesives, lumber shrinkage, poor nailing, the wrong type of nail or staple, etc can also create massive defects. Keep in mind that the glossy surface of sheet vinyl makes it easy to see defects.

Different Grades of Sheet Vinyl

Did you know that the clear wear layer on top of the sheet vinyl is not the same thickness for each brand or style? Generally speaking, the most expensive sheet vinyl products have the thickest wear layer. This is what you walk on so this is where you should pay attention.

Probably the best sheet vinyl products are those that are made for commercial applications. If you have lots of traffic or rough conditions at your home, you may want to consider a commercial vinyl floor. They are expensive, but most of them wear like iron if you maintain them.

Constant Care

Do you want your sheet vinyl to look good for years? The best way is to keep it squeaky clean. This means daily or every other day dust mopping or vacuuming. I would also wet mop it at least once a week. Sand, dirt, dust, grit, etc. create a sandpaper effect when you walk on sheet vinyl. This can really take away a glossy finish in short order.

Removing your shoes before walking across sheet vinyl is also a good idea if you are so inclined. But, watch out! Those of you who wear panty hose or nylons can cause problems. In certain situations, these foot / leg coverings can cause stains. Can you believe that? I didn't realize that fact until I did the research for this column!

Factory Approved Products

Before your new floor is installed, make sure the underlayment, adhesive, nailing patterns, subfloor, seam sealer, etc. are all factory approved. This will take some work on your part. If you work with a reputable flooring company - usually they cost more - you should not have to worry. Get competitive bids and ask for their certification papers!

Sheet Vinyl Installation and Defect Publications

You can't believe how technically challenging it is to install sheet vinyl products the right way. Each sheet vinyl product has its own separate set of instructions. You simply can't use the same adhesives, techniques, underlayment, etc. with all sheet vinyls. If you want the job done right, you need to make sure the installer is following the directions.

Where Do You Find The Instructions?

While doing research for this column and bulletin I called the major sheet vinyl manufacturers. My calls were only returned by one company - Armstrong World Industries, Inc. They were very helpful and provided me with some unbelievable books and booklets.

The most incredible book I looked at was titled:

Armstrong F-5061 Guaranteed Installation Systems
2006

This book covers every installation detail you could imagine for installing many of Armstrong's products. It covers all of the materials, tools, adhesives, underlayments, etc. It tells you what is and is not acceptable.

If you want your sheet vinyl installed correctly, I suggest you ask for this book or at least get copies of the pages that pertain to your situation and the sheet vinyl you intend to use. It is also available online from Armstrong at http://www.armstrong.com/commflooringna/article15949.html.

Other Publications

Armstrong also sent along copies of other great booklets. You might want to scan several of these as well. They will probably be available from Armstrong or a local distributor. Some are available online at http://www.armstrong.com/commflooringna/request_lit.jsp. It is worth hunting these down! Here are the titles:

• Residential Complaint Guide
• Installation, Maintenance, Accessory Products.....
• Maintenance Recommendations & Procedures for Commercial Resilient Flooring

Call Armstrong at: 800-233-3823!

Companion Articles:   Common Sheet Vinyl Problems, Sheet Vinyl Woes

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The following is a listing of the most common sheet vinyl problems, complaints, and defects. Most of the problems are usually traced to poor maintenance and care on the part of the homeowner. There are installer related problems and actual material defects. This guide will help you zero in on the probable cause. The information that follows was taken from a very fine publication developed by the Armstrong World Industries, Inc. folks. Visit a dealer or distributor in your area that sells Armstrong products. They should have this publication handy so you can see the helpful illustrations. The copy I have has is 8.5 by 11 inches in size and has a bright yellow cover with black type.

Change in Gloss

This will appear as an overall dullness in the sheet vinyl, a dullness in traffic areas, and scuffs under chairs. The cause is almost always improper maintenance. Dirt, dust and grit act like sandpaper and scratch the gloss finish of the vinyl. You can avoid these problems by dust mopping and wet mopping on a frequent basis. Consider installing floor mats and rugs at doorways. Polishing compounds may help restore the shine.

Cracking

You may see random cracks in the vinyl, over joints in the underlayment, under chairs with wheels, or cracks at doorways, etc. The causes of cracks are numerous. Virtually every crack problem is remedied by replacing the vinyl and solving any subfloor or underlayment problems. Almost always the party responsible is not the homeowner.

Discoloration

You will possibly see yellowing in a traffic lane or color patterns at entry points into the room or random spots or splashes of color. Asphalt sealers, oil, rubber shoe soles, and nylon stockings can cause stains! Carpet components, rich colored clay soils and ordinary spills also cause staining. Try to remove shoes before walking on the vinyl floor. Purchase sheet vinyl with discoloration warranties.

Heat / Sunlight Stains

You may see yellow, red-brown or black discoloration near heat vents, radiator legs or supply pipes and spots near windows or glass doors. You can avoid some of these problems by not allowing vinyl to come into contact with high heat sources. Close window shades during the most intense periods of sunlight.

Dents and Surface Damage

High heels, bar stools, corner tears at cabinets, rips, tears, etc. can really cause problems. The solutions vary from repair to total replacement depending on the degree of damage. A homeowner can be held responsible for high heel marks, chair leg problems and rips, tears and gouges caused by dragging or rolling heavy objects across the vinyl. Many other defects can be traced to improper installation.

Irregular Surface Defects

You see the old floor pattern show through. The floor appears like sheets of plastic that have sealed bubbles of air because of regular humps. The vinyl needs total replacement and the problems can almost always be traced to the installer or the manufacturer.

Print Defects

You see irregularities in the sheet vinyl pattern. Some of these meet the manufacturers specifications. There are quite a few that can be traced to a manufacturing defect. The distributor can show you illustrations of what is deemed acceptable and what is a true defect.

Pattern Matching

Some pattern problems meet the manufacturer's specifications. Others can be traced to installer or manufacturing defects. Once again, check the book for examples of who is responsible!

Seam or Joint Opening

Most seams that open are not acceptable. Some can be within manufacturer's specifications. Usually a credit card is used as a gauge. If the card can be placed in between vinyl tiles, the gap is too large. Open seams in sheet vinyl are not acceptable. The installer is almost always responsible.

Miscellaneous Defects

Get a copy of the yellow and black booklet!

Companion Articles:   Sheet Vinyl Defects, Sheet Vinyl Woes

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Carpet buying and cleaning is a big business.  There are lots of carpet dealers and cleaning services. It makes sense when you think about it. Carpets receive some of the greatest wear of just about anything in your home. You don't usually walk on your walls, ceilings, doors or windows....at least I hope not!

All Over the Map

Carpet quality is all over the place. You can buy quality or junk. Some less than honest carpet dealers go to great lengths to disguise their garbage, trying to trick you into thinking it is quality. Comparison shopping coupled with some basic knowledge will help you get the most for your money.

A natural fiber like wool makes a superb carpet. The reason for this is that the wool wears down by releasing small parts of the top of each fiber. Think of those mechanical pencils that you twist to get fresh lead. This is why wool carpets can look great until you wear them down to the backing.

Synthetic fiber carpets tend to show wear because the fibers actually change shape or get scratched. Even after you clean them, they look worn. If you can afford it, buy wool area rugs. My wife and I have numerous ones that look tremendous. Two of them have been down for nearly 12 years and look great.

Cleaning Carpets

In a few moments, you are going to read about the Carpet Rescue Kit you need to clean your carpets when an accident occurs. Once you have your Rescue Kit in place, here are some ways to clean common spot problems.

The first thing to remember is to act quickly. Stains are simply molecules in a solution. The solution might be water or some solvent. If the water or solvent evaporates, the stain molecules can lock themselves quite tenaciously into the carpet fibers. If you keep the spot moist with water or the solvent, you stand a better chance of getting it out.

Try to avoid rubbing the stain. Blot the area with dry, light colored rags or towels.

Always work from the edge of the stain in towards the center. If you do it any other way, you might spread the stain.

A Recipe Guide

Dry cleaning fluid that can be purchased at your grocery store, regular liquid dish soap, vinegar, and ammonia can be used in different combinations to remove 90 percent of most stains. The Carpet Spot Removal Guide that I talk about in column Area Rug Cleaning Tips tells you exactly what mixtures to use and in what order to apply them. You don't use the same procedure for each stain. The reason is simple. Each stain has a different chemistry.

Oxygen Bleach

Several years ago, I was doing research for a deck sealant column. Part of the column was dedicated to properly cleaning wood before treating it with synthetic resin water repellents. During the research I came across a product called oxygen bleach. It was developed in Europe some time ago to clean hospital linens and commercial laundry like restaurant tablecloths. Just about everybody knows why you can't use chlorine bleach to remove stains. It is so aggressive, it destroys the fabric and removes color. Oxygen bleach is virtually 100 percent color safe and is fabric/carpet safe. It aggressively attacks stain molecules and blasts them apart.

The oxygen bleach is a powder you mix with water. It is simply a dried form of hydrogen peroxide and soda ash. Once mixed with water, it simply creates more water, oxygen ions, and soda ash. In other words, it is non-toxic.

Tough stains like coffee, tea, red wine, Kool-aid, urine, vomit, etc. can usually be quickly cleaned from carpets with an oxygen bleach solution. You simply apply it to the stained area, let it sit for 3 - 5 hours and blot it up. Once again, the trick is to keep the spot slightly damp with additional oxygen bleach solution so that the stain doesn't dry out. Oxygen bleach works well on dried stains too, although it may take multiple applications and treatments. See oxygen bleach for additional information.

Professional Help

The worst thing you can do to a carpet stain is to attack it with no plan. If the carpet is expensive, you can ruin it in short order. For this reason, it is not a bad idea to call in a real professional carpet cleaner. There are possibly companies in your area that have special equipment, washers, tanks, drying racks, etc. to treat area rugs. Don't take a chance if it is an expensive rug that is a family heirloom. Call in a pro. Remember, plan ahead. Call local quality rug dealers and ask for the pros before an accident happens. These phone numbers must be handy!

Related Articles: Area Rugs - Spot a Great One, Area Rug Cleaning Tips, Area Rug Dealers

Column B256

Everybody spills something on carpeting from time to time. Perhaps it is red wine or cherry Kool-aid on that new off-white plush carpet. Or the dog or cat has an accident. Maybe you walk in with car oil or grease on your shoes. Whatever the stain, you can often remove it if you have a rescue kit handy.

The Rescue Kit

The absolute first thing you need to do is call this number - 800-882-8846 - or visit this website - www.carpet-rug.com right now! You will be contacting the Carpet and Rug Institute. They have - in my opinion - the absolute best literature on how to clean spots from carpets.

Two of their online publications must be kept handy at all times. These two publications are:

• Residential Customers - Spot Solver
• Carpet Maintenance Guidelines

These two handy publications list items that cause stains (acid, bleach, catsup, gum, grease, lipstick, oil, paint, rust, urine, etc.) and the appropriate methods and cleaners to use to attack the stains. They tell you the step by step procedure to use in order to minimize damage to the carpet. The Carpet Spot Removal guide is one of the absolute best tools I have ever seen. It must list 300 things that cause stains! You simply locate the cause of the stain in a little window and next to the stain you are told the first, second, and sometimes third steps to take to remove the stain.

Stain Removal Aids

Here are the products you will need to complete your carpet rescue kit:

• Dry Cleaning Fluid - available at grocery stores
• Nail Polish Remover (without acetone!)
• Liquid Dish Soap (No lanolin, No bleach)
• White Vinegar
• Ammonia
• Spot Removal Kit
• Oxygen Bleach

The first five items on the above list can be purchased at any grocery store. The spot removal kit can be purchased at most high quality carpet stores. Oxygen bleach can be found at some Sherwin Williams paint stores that sell "Cuprinol", home centers that sell Wolman's Deck Brightener, and from ME! I sell it under the brand name Stain Solver. Oxygen bleach is color safe and fabric safe and removes all sorts of carpet stains and odors. Call 513-407-8727 or order at my website.

Related Articles: Area Rugs - Spot a Great One, Area Rug Tips, Area Rug Dealers

Column B256

Top USA Area Rug Dealers

The following is a partial list of some area rug dealers that were selling high quality products at the time I wrote this bulletin. You can usually identify quality goods by price, fiber type and appearance. Another excellent source of quality area rug dealers is a local interior designer (ID) who is a member of one of the two major ID associations. If an interior designer wants to stay in business for a long time, he/she must consistently recommend high quality products. These individuals know who the top area rug companies are in your town or city. Call and chat with them. Remember that you may be able to negotiate price with some dealers. It never hurts to ask!

Reviewed November 2007

• At Home In The Valley
  16531 Saticay St.
  Van Nuys, CA 91406
  818-780-4663
• Isberian Rug Co.
  520 E Hyman Ave
  Aspen, CO 81611
  970-925-8062
• Mussallem Fine Arts Inc.
  5801 Phillips Hwy
  Jacksonville, FL 32216
  904-739-1551
• Crystal Tree Carpet & Flooring
  1201 US Hwy 1
  North Palm Beach, FL 33408
  561-622-6333
• Weber Oriental Rugs Inc.
  6157 Central Ave
  St. Petersburg, FL 33710
  727-347-3359
• Bijar Oriental Rugs Inc.
  761 Miami Cir NE
  Atlanta, GA 30324
  404-351-0013
• Village Carpets
  1455 W Fullerton Ave
  Chicago, IL 60614
  773-935-8500
• Rug Cottage
  2566 Hwy 1 SW
  Iowa City, IA 52240
  319-683-2001
• Suff's Furniture & Oriental
  228 E Main Street
  Georgetown, KY 40324
  502-863-1422
• Dana Kelly Oriental Rugs Inc.
  870 E High St.
  Lexington, KY 40502
  859-266-9274
• Khazai Oriental Rug Gallery
  9800 Shelbyville Rd.
  Louisville, KY 40223
  502-327-1499
• Koko Boodakian & Sons
  1026 Main St.
  Winchester, MA 01890
  781-729-5566
• Azar's Oriental Rugs
  4265 28th St. SE
  Grand Rapids, MI 49512
  616-957-5666
• Hagopian Imports Inc.
  14000 W. Eight Mile Rd.
  Oak Park, MI 48237
  248-546-RUGS
• Gabberts Inc.
  3501 Galleria
  Edina, MN 55435
  952-927-1500
• Tinnin Oriental Carpets
  2089 Lakeland Dr.
  Jackson, MS 39216
  601-981-5234
• Avalon Carpet Tile & Flooring
  2209 Dune Dr.
  Avalon, NJ 08202
  609-967-7516

• Einstein-Moomjy Inc.
  934 Rt 22
  North Plainfield, NJ 07060
  908-755-6800
• American Home Furnishings
  901 St. Michaels Dr.
  Santa Fe, NM 87505
  505-988-4502
• Balian's Carpet
  55 Arterial W.
  Auburn, NY 13021
  315-252-6141
• A Morjikian Co.
  979 Third Ave #403
  New York, NY 10022
  212-753-8695
• Warner's Rugs & Carpets
  2205 Sardis Rd. North
  Charlotte, NC 28227
  704-845-1300
• Miller Residential Interiors
  407 N 4th St.
  Bismarck, ND 58501
  701-222-8601
• Rug Gallery
  9350 Kenwood Rd.
  Cincinnati, OH 45242
  513-793-9505
• Haddad Oriental Rugs
  4700 N High St.
  Columbus, OH 43214
  614-267-1177
• K A Menendian Oriental Rugs
  1090 W 5th Ave.
  Columbus, OH 43212
  614-294-3345
• Bockrath Flooring & Rugs
  5557 Far Hills Ave.
  Kettering, Ohio 45429
  937-438-0870
• Oriental Rug Gallery
  5228 Monroe St.
  Toledo, OH 43623
  419-882-7847
• Moorman's Carpets & Rugs
  3835 NW 63rd St.
  Oklahoma City, OK 73116
  405-848-4888
• Weisshouse
  5511 Walnut St.
  Pittsburgh, PA 15232
  412-687-1111
• David Alan Rug Co.
  1009 W 6th St.
  Austin, TX 78703
  512-499-0456
• Perry Emmet & Co.
  8200 Washington Ave.
  Houston, TX 77007
  713-961-4665
• Charles Roberts Oriental Carpet
  323 First Ave. S.
  Seattle, WA 98104
  206-621-9580

Related Articles: Area Rugs - Spot a Great One, Area Rug Tips, Area Rug Cleaning Tips