What You Need To Know Before Installing Carpet

Lexmarks running line patterns and the Custom Patterns in the Design Gallery require more time and experience to install than other types of carpet. Make sure your installation company uses Professional Certified Installation crews, who are knowledgeable and experienced in the proper installation process.

1. Pad recommendation is for a minimum of 8 pounds. A thickness not to exceed 7/16 inch.

2. All warranties apply only to carpet installed over manufacturer approved pad and installed according to current Carpet & Rug Institute installation procedures (Refer to CRI 104). Pattern matching cannot be successfully achieved with the direct glue down method. Direct glue down will void all warranties on this project.

3. It is extremely fundamental to know that the pattern in these products are actually tufted into the carpet not printed on.

4. Cut or trim these products from the face or nap side only. This will enable a better match and seam.

5. Dry fit seams to check for color and texture match. Due to the unique construction of these products the texture of color may vary at seams. If the color of texture does not match, move over 3 or 4 rows and trim the seam. This should reduce the natural appearance of the seams.

6. The layout of the carpet should prevent the flow of light directly across seams. Seams should run the direction of the main traffic. They should not run perpendicular to doorways.

7. All Colortec carpets, due to the manufacturing process, are subject to some pattern run off when pattern matching. We do not guarantee exact pattern match. All Colortec carpet is subject to industry tolerances for bow and skew of 1 1/2 percent.

8. As always, begin pattern matching in center of the drop. This divides the pattern elongation and makes for less work.

9. Seam Sealer is essential to prevent delamination and edge ravel (Refer to CRI 104).

10. Power stretch the material 1% to 1.5% in both the length and width. Maintain the pattern by use of the power stretcher.

11. Specifications are derived from averages resulting from normal manufacturing tolerances in yarn, fiber, temperature, and humidity, and may vary within normal industry tolerances. Performance is not affected by such variances. Variance may be up to seven percent, plus or minus. Quality control tests to accept or reject goods must be performed prior to cutting and installation.

12. We do not guarantee seamless installation.

13. No claims for out of tolerance material will be accepted after goods are cut or installed.

14. Pattern streaks and banding are visually apparent streaking in patterned carpet resulting from linear juxtaposition of pattern elements visible in both length and width direction. IT IS NOT A CARPET DEFECT, but is inherent in solution dyed graphic and cut/loop patterns. This characteristic which may be objectionable in long corridors and other large areas but not visible in small rooms.

15. Corridor installation must be done using long length drops not short width drops. This will eliminate excessive amount of seams, pattern match and in some cases shading of seams.

16. All CRI Installation procedures must be followed during installation. All warranties apply only to carpet properly installed over manufacturing approved pad and installed according to current CRI Installation procedures, SEAM SEALER MUST BE USED. No delamination claims will be honored if these procedures are not followed (Refer to CRI 104 - Standard for Installation of Commercial Textile Floor Covering Materials).

17. Remember, a Certified Master Installer will have experience and equipment to install these products to your expectations and job satisfaction. If you don't have time to do it right, you surely don't have time to do it over.

*** Be Patient; Be Persistent; Be Professional ***

LEXTRON SOLUTION DYED NYLON

Attractive and Practical

The most popular Lextron solution dyed nylon colors are extruded, twisted and hest set in our own plant with rigid quality control procedures in place to monitor each step of the process. During the extrusion phase, using state-of-the-art technology and Neumag extruder equipment, nylon chips and color pigment are combined in a controlled environment and heated into a liquid state. This colored liquid mix is then forced through small apertures called spinnerets and then chilled into a solid fiber and wound into cones. The fiber has been dyed from the inside out so that the colors are locked in for fade resistance and easier stain removal.

The single ends of solution dyed fiber are then twisted to provide strenght and texture and are then ply twisted for bulk and resistance.The twist is than heat set for texture retention, bulk and a clean finish. Lextron is a high performance commercial nylon featuring warm, contemporary hospitality colors.

Lexmark extrusion capacity supports a stocking program of 35 colors which includes 7 stocking barber poles. Lexmark maintains a sufficient inventory of yarn on hand to service our running line and custom programs.

Twisting and Heatsetting

Lexmark twisting process inputs 4.5 turns per inch, before Superbra heatsetting. The twist level is above the minimum standard recommended by the leaders in the fiber industry.

Other available Yarns

Besides our own yarns, Lexmark accesses colors and fiber systens from all major yarn manufacturers. Lexmark is certified to offer all of the major specified brands.

Non stocking yarns may add to cost, minimum yardage requirements, waste factors, and delivery times.

This carpet is warranted for indoor use by the manufacturer not to delaminate. The following CRI carpet installation standards must be followed for the warranty to be valid.

1. The carpet cannot get WET. This will void all warranties.

2. Pad must be used - Density of 8 to 10 pounds minimum and the thickness should not exceed 3/8''.

3. Separate cushion shall be securely fastened to the subfloor with smooth side up.

4. Separate cushion seams shall be perpendicular to carpet seams or offset by at least 6 inches.

5. Tackless strips shall be not less than 1 inch wide and 1/4 inch thick.

6. Tackless strips are to be fastened around the perimeter of the roon with a gully slightly less than the thickness of the carpet from the wall, but not to exceed 3/8 inch.

7. Do not place tackless strips across door openings or door sills except where there is a threshold.

8. Carpet shall not be stapled to the tackless strip.

9. Before seaming, the carpet should be power stretched at seam line.

10. Trim all edges used for seaming at least one inch on each side.

11. Seam edges should be sealed with an appropriate seam sealer.

12. 4 to 6 inch hot melt tape must be used on all the seams.

13. After seaming, the carpet must be properly stretched with the edges hooked to the tackless strips of the starting and surrounding walls with a power stretcher ( See Figure for appropriate stretching diagrams). Use of a power stretcher is mandatory.

Maintenance Guide

A comprehensive carpet maintenance program should always be followed which will also improve texture retention, appearance, wear life and reduce soiling of carpet. Thorough vacuuming program is essential to the maintenance of commercial carpet. Frequent vacuuming is the most effective way to dispose of dry soil particles, sand, etc., that can damage carpet fibers. See printable version for Suggested Hospitality Carpet Maintenance Schedule Chart. Cleaning equipment such as wet /dry vacuum or portable extraction unit that is used for general carpet maintenance-or is designed specifically for spot cleaning-often is the most effective and efficient way of removing spills. Note: Wicking, which is the recurrence of stains after spot cleaning, is not uncommon for a concentrated spill. If wicking occurs after a carpet has been cleaned, simply re-clean the area using the previously used procedure(s).

Dry Stains

Gently remove as much of the substance as possible using a small, soft hand brush or spatula to break up any crusted material. Vacuum thoroughly to remove loosened particles.

Wet Stains

Blot with absorbent white cloth or paper towel, or use spatula to remove excess, then blot. For larger spills, a portable extraction unit or wet/dry vacuum is most effective for removing spilled liquids.

Suggested Cleaning Agents

** Detergent solution - Commercially available general carpet cleaning or spot-removal detergent

** Ammonia solution - Mix 1 tablespoon non-bleaching household ammonia with one cup of warm water. ( Note: Do not mix ammonia with chlorine bleach. Follow manufacturer's warnings on mixing ammonia with other chemicals.)

**Vinegar solution - White vinegar

**Clear alcohol - Rubbing or Denatured. Use as is.

** Dry cleaning Fluid - Any non-flammable brand, used according to manufacturer's directions.

Helpful Spotting Tips

1. Quick action

2. Always pretest in a inconspicuous, or on an uninstalled piece of the carpet.

3. Use drip-spout bottles; do not pour spotters onto the carpet.

4. Use clean, white, absorbent towels.

5. Work from the outside toward the center to avoid spreading the stain.

6. Blot; do not rub. Or use an extractor to flush out the contamination.

7. Expedite drying

For Frequently Encountered Spills or Stains and Suggested Removal Procedures Click on printable Maintenance Guide.

Guaranteed Not To Wear More Than 10% In Ten Years

This carpet is warranted for indoor use by the manufacturer. If properly installed and maintained the surface pile in any given area is abrasively worn more than 10% within ten years, the worn area will be replaced at our expense. The manufacturer warrants abrasive wear only, not tears, pulls, cuts, piling, matting or damage due to improper onstallation or improper cleaning agents or methods. After five years the replacement cost is pro-rated.

By abrasive wear we mean fiber loss from the carpet. Stairs are excluded. For warranty service contact your dealer. This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.

Carpet should be installed in accordance with the Carpet & Rug Institute's standard CRI-104. Carpet must be installed over manufacturer's recommended pad.

Actionback

Actionback is the industry Standard for tufted hotel carpeting. This system includes a layer of woven polypropylene adhered to the promary backing with SBR latex. Actionback typically provides a loop tuft bind minimum of 6.5 lbs./sq. in. and a delamination strength of 2.5 lbs. /sq. in. Excessive wet exposure will destabilize Actionback.

Unitary

Unitary is a rich compound of SBR latex applied to the primary backing. This backing offers higher tuft binds and delamination strengths but should not be exposed to long term moisture. Unitary's back surface is not flat, but has peaks and valleys.

Unitary Actionback (Doulbe Lock Actionback)

Here a layer of woven polypropylene is applied onto the Unitary Backing to give it a flat, consistent surface.

Permabond

Permabond begins with interlocking tufting technology and than applies a compound to the back for further stabilization. The Permabond System offers: No edge ravel, No zippering, No delamination, No PVC or 4PCH. The Permabond System adds: Dimensional stability, Moisture resistance, High tuft bind.

Loc-Tite

Loc-Tite backing system uses an exclusive interlocking tufting technology adhered to actionback. This backing system enhances tuftbind and delamination strength.

Polyurethane Precoat & Foam with Woven Scrim

Lex II EH - A polyurethane precoat with a high density polyurethane cushion attached to a woven scrim designed for medium traffic areas such as hotel/motel rooms, retail shops, small stores, etc. Cushion Density of 15 lbs/ft 3, Tuft binds normally 10-15 lbs

Lex III EH - For heavy traffic use, a higher polyurethane precoat weight with a higher density polyurethane cushion attached to a woven scrim for use in areas such as banks, restaurants, schools, office buildings, supermarkets, churches and hotel/motel lobbies and corridors. Cushion Density of 20 lbs/ft 3, Tuft Binds normally 20 lbs.

Polyurethane Foam Over Latex

Lex 20 TR - A high density polyurethane cushion (20 lb/ft 3) with woven scrim attached to a finished commercial carpet.

Lex 24 KT - A high density polyurethane cushion (24 lb/ft3) attached to a finished commercial carpet for heavier rolling traffic use.

Lex 30 KT - An ultra-high density polyurethane cushion (30 lb/ft3) attached to a finished commercial carpet for extra heavy trafic use.

Dynaback - A High density (20 lbs./sq. ft.) polyurethane cushion is attached to a finished commercial carpet, providing for improved face fiber wear. Dynaback Plus adds a woven scrim to the cushion, which allows for easy removal when carpet is replaced.