Why does carpet bubble after being cleaned

[C.J.]

Getting ready to sell our house so we had our carpets cleaned the other day and some bubbles popped up after they were done. At least one in every room. I turned on the ceiling fans and left the doors n windows open for a day and things returned to normal. I would prolly be worried that I got some half assed carpet cleaner, and that may be, but I’ve seen this happen before on different kinds of carpet jobs, all stretch in.

I’ve never gotten into the cleaning and restoration side of the industry so I don’t know if this is common or if I’ve been hacked but I’m sure there is somebody out there with an answer as to why carpet bubbles when cleaned.

 

[DarisMulkin]

The cleaning has relaxed the carpet, I presume it was steam cleaned, the dragging of the wand can help cause it while relaxed. Kind of like the old aqua stretch from years ago. It may go back down when completely dry. When wet DON'T walk on it.

 

[Floorist]

I have seen carpet shrink after it dried from steam cleaning so much that it was short of the tack strip. Then it is usually too stiff to stretch it back on.

 

[DarisMulkin]

Run the length of the Carpet, the length of the room ?

I have seen carpet shrink after it dried from steam cleaning so much that it was short of the tack strip. Then it is usually too stiff to stretch it back on.

That was the old jute backed stuff. I had an account here that on Saturdays I went behind them and stretched it all back or repaired the seams they tore apart. It was a good side gig.

 

[JPfloor]

That was the old jute backed stuff. I had an account here that on Saturdays I went behind them and stretched it all back or repaired the seams they tore apart. It was a good side gig.

I remember that...I've seen the tack strip ripped right out of the floor...

I remember using hot water to get rid of bubbles on Axministers and jute back carpets. (probably shouldn't admit to that.. )

But as far as cleaning goes that's kind of an indication of over wetting. Water should never get to the secondary backing with tufted goods. We used to do dual process. Scrub and extract. Had to be real careful with how much water you put down...

With today's tufted stuff over wetting could break down the sizing leading to delamination. In CJ's case, where the bubbles went back down, coulda just been expansion from the heat and pushing the wand around. But I'd still bet it was over wet. Gotta apply the water only when pulling the wand back towards yourself so it gets sucked up right away. If you pull the trigger when pushing it forward water will soak in.

 

[Floorist]

I remember that...I've seen the tack strip ripped right out of the floor...

I remember using hot water to get rid of bubbles on Axministers and jute back carpets. (probably shouldn't admit to that.. )

But as far as cleaning goes that's kind of an indication of over wetting. Water should never get to the secondary backing with tufted goods. We used to do dual process. Scrub and extract. Had to be real careful with how much water you put down...

With today's tufted stuff over wetting could break down the sizing leading to delamination. In CJ's case, where the bubbles went back down, coulda just been expansion from the heat and pushing the wand around. But I'd still bet it was over wet. Gotta apply the water only when pulling the wand back towards yourself so it gets sucked up right away. If you pull the trigger when pushing it forward water will soak in.

I remember when carpet cleaning companies would hire college students for the summer to clean carpet. 1/2 hour of instruction and out they would go. Saw many carpets get too wet and/or too hot. But it was good for the installation business. We used Host dry carpet cleaner at the store I managed. Never got a complaint, so I guess it worked. Owner's son did the cleaning.