September 7, 2009

Rug Repair is separate from Rug Restoration, though the two can be rather closely related in many respects. Restoration will usually require professional expertise, while repair work can sometimes be handled just fine by oneself, depending on the exact nature of any damage involved and, even, the sort of rug you have to begin with.

Precious rugs, such as valuable Oriental heirlooms, ought to be handled by an expert craftsperson, in case more damage is caused than was originally around! Silk is an expensive material which should be professionally serviced; though it is strong, there’s really no reason to take the chance. But common household rugs admit more easily of “home remedies.” For example, some torn rugs can be easy to fix on one’s own. A braided rug has coils which are bound by stitching. Simply pick these apart, the ones that are causing the tear. Then cut off the parts which have been torn. Unbraid the area to be worked on. Splice in a new strip and rebraid, stitching the coils back in place to finish the job. Another method of repairing a tear involves borrowing fibers. In cases where the tear is small enough, it’s often possible to just pull fibers from other areas of the carpet which won’t miss them (that is to say, probably would not be noticed). Just use a toothpick to apply a tiny amount of adhesive, carefully grafting fibers. For minor, temporary damage like dents and depressions, it is quite enough to simply brush the affected area with a grooming tool to loosen up the mashed tufts. A steam iron may also be employed to help “fluff up” the fibers. Do not let the iron actually touch the rug, of course; hold it two, three inches above the rug. If the rug contains acrylic, a hair dryer’s warm setting should be used to help keep the acrylic fibers from melting. And be sure to use casters under heavy furniture in the future!

Rug restoration, as previously mentioned, ought to be handled by professional craftspeople, and, as also mentioned before, even rug repair could often do with trained expertise. Before hiring professional help, it’s advisable to exercise some basic consumer common sense, such as asking questions and getting estimates. Ascertain whether your would-be restorer or repairer (or, for that matter, Carpet Cleaners)is licensed, bonded, and insured – preferably all three. There ought to be references available, but be sure to check up on all that’s given! There are no guarantees, of course, but many unfortunate situations can be avoided with some common sense.