If you get your carpet professionally cleaned and you notice ripples in it afterwards, naturally, you’re going to be alarmed by this sight. Ripples in carpets after cleaning can be caused by a number of different reasons, and as well as being unsightly, they can be a trip hazard. The good news is that in many cases the ripples will disappear once the carpet is dry, but this isn’t always a guarantee, depending on what caused them in the first place. Here at Carpet Bright UK, we can tell you everything you need to know about why this problem might occur, and steps you can take to avoid it.
Differential expansion
Ripples often form in carpets after cleaning due to a process called differential expansion. This is when the padding and latex in the carpet temporarily expand when they come into contact with moisture used during the cleaning process and absorb it, thus creating a rippling or lumpy effect.
Generally, once the carpet has dried, these layers should return to their normal size and the rippling will dissipate.
However, the choice of cleaning method for the particular type of carpet can influence how severe this effect is, and even whether or not it returns to normal.
Any cleaning technique that involves applying large amounts of water to the carpet can make it more susceptible to rippling. And it goes without saying that if a carpet isn’t dried properly, the rippling might not go away at all.
For this reason, it’s always a good idea to get your carpets cleaned by professionals, like our carpet cleaning Essex team, rather than attempting to clean a carpet yourself where you might not know how much water to safely apply to the carpet.
We use low-moisture cleaning methods, so we never saturate your carpets with water, thus reducing the chance of your carpet rippling. Furthermore, we use effective rinsing techniques to draw the moisture out of the carpet once we’ve cleaned it, so that it dries quickly and any ripples that may have formed will only be temporary.
Since certain types of carpet materials hold onto water more than others, we understand how to clean and dry each kind of carpet fabric correctly, reducing the risk of rippling from occurring.
Improper installation
Quite often, rippling occurs in a carpet after it has been cleaned not because of anything to do with the cleaning process itself, but because it has been improperly installed.
If a carpet wasn’t stretched tightly when it was installed or properly secured in place, this can lead to movement in the carpet, causing ripples to occur.
The only way to solve the problem will be to contact a professional carpet fitter who will be able to stretch the carpet tightly using the right tools, and then attach it to the tack strips on the edge of the carpet, so it remains securely taut and in place, and the ripples will disappear.
It’s interesting to note that carpets are harder to stretch during the colder months of the year, so if you had them installed in winter, rippling is more likely to occur.
Carpet padding that’s worn or old
The padding underneath the carpet holds it in place, providing stability and insulation. Over time, however, carpet padding can get worn, especially in high-traffic areas, meaning that it loses its efficiency at securely holding the carpet in place.
The increase in moisture and movement to the carpet padding when it’s being cleaned can cause ripples to form. The only way to effectively resolve this would be to replace this with a new, durable, high-density padding that offers your carpet better stability and protection against movement and rippling.
Age of the carpet
Rippling in a carpet is more likely to occur after it has been cleaned the older the carpet is. This makes sense, since the wear and tear of the carpet will not only affect the condition of the carpet and its backing, thus making it less stable and prone to movement, but the glue that holds the carpet together may also break down.
If your carpet is old and worn, then replacing it might be the only option to prevent further rippling taking place. But, ironically, if you get your carpets professionally cleaned regularly by our carpet cleaning service in Colchester, this can slow down the aging process of your carpets, helping them to stay strong and healthy for longer, and thus less likely to experience wear that can result in rippling.
Putting weight on the carpet
One of the worst things that you can do after a carpet has been cleaned, and especially so if it’s still damp, is to put weight on it, such as by dragging heavy furniture across it, or even moving office chairs over the carpet.
When the carpet is still wet, the moisture can affect its alignment, causing it to shift when pressure is exerted on it, thus resulting in rippling.
Wait until the carpet is dry before replacing your furniture, and always lift it and don’t drag it across the carpet. Place soft protector pads under heavy furniture to avoid making indentation marks in the carpet, and put a rug underneath any office chairs with wheels, to prevent the delamination of the carpet backing.
The good thing is that when you book with our carpet cleaning Essex business, we can assist with moving furniture during the cleaning process, so we’ll make sure to lift and move it correctly, creating a seamless and smooth finish for your carpet.
Changes in temperature
When a carpet is cleaned with warm water, high humidity levels from the cleaning process can cause the carpet to swell, buckle and ripple from the sudden change in temperature.
By ensuring the indoor temperature is consistently maintained and good ventilation is provided in a room, this can reduce the dramatic change to the carpet structure that results in rippling.
When you choose our carpet cleaning service in Colchester, our experts will make sure a carpet is cleaned and dried under the right temperature and humidity levels, and we can also advise you on how to maintain this in the future.
At Carpet Bright UK, we use effective, professional methods that reduce the likelihood of ripples, waves or other lumps and bumps appearing in your carpets from how we’ve cleaned or dried them. For super-smooth cleaning results for your carpets, get in touch with us today.
