There are several things that can cause the appearance of a sidematch color difference that range from lighting to installation concerns, or manufacture related defect in the carpet.

Lighting

There are several ways that light can cause the appearance of a color difference when there is no true color difference.

• Light will cause a shadow to fall across or down the seam making the carpet on one side of the seam look darker.
• Some tinted globes or light fixtures covers can cause shadows or odd light conditions that give the appearance of a color difference.
• Sometimes when light falls across the seam the side of the seam away from the light source will be shaded.

Installation conditions that could cause a color difference or the appearance of a color difference

• During installation while the seam or seams are being constructed the carpet must be laid running the same direction on both sides of the seam, if the carpet on one side of the seam is turned running a different direction this will cause the appearance of a color difference.
• During seam construction if the seam is too tight together or too loose leaving a gap at the seam edges a peak in the seam can be caused. (A peaked seam should not be confused with seam profiling which is normal for a carpet that has been seamed with thermal plastic seaming tape.) When there is a peak in the seam a shadow will be on one side of the seam causing a dark look on one side of the seam.
• Sometimes when constructing a seam the tufts of the carpet on one or both sides of the seam need to be trimmed if this is not done it can make the seam more noticeable and throw a shadow across the seam.
• During seam construction if the seaming iron is set too hot this can cause the pile to change direction when moving the iron down the seam.

Manufacture related defects in carpet that cause a color difference or the appearance of a color difference from side to side of a seam or seams.

• The first thing is a true color or shade variation from one piece of carpet to the piece next to it. Most carpet is dyed by a continuous feed method through a dye bath. Using this method sometimes one end of a roll of carpet can be slightly lighter in shade or hue then the other end of the roll. When a piece of carpet from one end of these rolls is seamed together with a piece from the other end of the roll there is a color or shade difference from one side of the seam to the other side.
• There can be a pile reversal within a roll of carpet and when two pieces are seamed together a color or shade difference shows. This is sometimes confused with the carpet being turned different directions during installation. The best way to confirm this is to pull back the carpet and find the stamps and arrows on the backing.
• During the shearing or tufting process of manufacturing a texture difference can occur and this can cause the look of a color or shade difference. In looped pile carpet a texture difference can be caused by a tension difference during tufting causing some loops to be shorter or longer and fuller or tighter than other loops.

• Crushing is not necessarily a manufacture related concern but this can cause the look of a texture difference causing the look of a color difference. Steaming can sometimes correct a texture difference or a crushing condition.

If you have a true color or shade difference and it is not too severe this maybe correctable by a color or feather blending using specially formulated dyes and blending them in on the lighter side of the seam or seams. Carpet manufacturers work with experts such as Kevin Weinheimer that have been specifically trained in this process. Once the carpet has been correctly blended the correction should last for the life of the carpet. This feather blending process prevents the inconvenience of carpet replacement. These specially formulated dyes are designed to withstand carpet cleaning. The manufacturers warranty on your carpet remains in affect.

The best way to determine if you have a true and correctable color or shade difference is to get a inspection by a Certified Independent Carpet Inspector like Terry and Kevin Weinheimer of The Weinheimer group. If the concern is a true and correctable color or shade difference the inspector may offer the correction service or be able to recommend a qualified expert technician that can perform the correction. The Oregon based Weinheimer Group is available for nationwide service.

Additional Information

• Carpet Side Match Variation
• Carpet and Flooring Onsite Testing & Inspection

Terry was trained by NOFMA the Wood Flooring Manufacturers Association and became the first inspector in the Pacific Northwest to be certified as a Certified Flooring Inspector by the NWFA – National Wood Flooring Association. Today there is 3 or 4 wood floor inspectors in Washington and Oregon.  When you want an independent evaluation backed by years of floor covering failure analysis and inspection experience you will want to call the Weinheimer Group.

With the many exotic and domestic wood floor and bamboo species along with several wood floor manufacturing techniques from solid wood flooring to engineered floors and laminated wood floor products, nail down floors, glue down floors and floating floors one can only imagine the number of concerns that can be addressed.

From problems such as gaps, cupping, buckling, cracks, delamination, lifting, denting, scratching and finish problems to wood floor grading issues and moisture related concerns the Weinheimer’s will perform thorough analysis and testing to identify the cause of your flooring failure.

Upon completion of the investigation and testing you will be provided with the written report and supporting documents you need to resolve a claim.

If you’re hoping to prevent or are involved in a law suit the flooring consulting services and  expert witness services of The Weinheimer Group LLC will be of great assistance.

The Weinheimer Group provides wood floor inspections for flooring manufacturers, floor covering retailers, flooring distributors, architects, builders, developers, insurance companies, building owners, home owners, installers and attorneys.

Terry Weinheimer’s experience as a floor covering inspector began more than 30 years ago and Kevin Weinheimer has been inspecting floor coverings for more than 10 years. The Weinheimer Group has been providing flooring inspections in Oregon since 1990 after relocating to Oregon from Southern California.

The flooring industry continues to introduce new products and even with their many years of experience Terry and Kevin  invest heavily in continued education to remain current on these changes. In addition to wood floor inspections the Weinheimer’s are experts and hold certifications for inspecting other flooring and floor covering products such as laminate and bamboo floors, resilient floor covering, cork floors, carpet and specialty floor coverings.

The Weinheimer Group LLC is a member of and holds certifications from organizations such as WFCA- World Floor Covering Association, NWFA – The National Wood Flooring Association, CFI – Certified Flooring Installers, IICRC – Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration, NICFI – National Institute of Floor Covering Inspectors, FCITS – Floor Consultants and Inspection Training Services, AFS – Advanced Flooring Specialist and others.

The Weinheimer Group LLC provides both residential and commercial flooring inspections. Centrally located in Eugene, Oregon services are provided on a regular basis throughout the state of Oregon and SW Washington. Nationwide service is also available.  When you have a wood floor or other flooring issue you are encouraged to contact Terry or Kevin Weinheimer for information, consultation or arranging an inspection.

To keep abreast of the latest trends in floor covering and our special offers you are invited to sign up for our free online newsletter The Weinheimer Letter.

Additional Information

• The Thoroughness of a Flooring Inspection
• A Flooring Inspector Can Protect Your Investment

With over 50 years of combined experience, flooring inspectors Terry and Kevin investigate and solve problems for resilient manufacturers, national and local retailers, insurance companies, contractors, developers, individual consumers, attorneys and others.

The Weinheimer Group LLC is an independent floor covering consulting company and as such is in a position to provide third party remediation for resilient floor covering from vinyl tile flooring, linoleum, Marmoleum, sheet vinyl, VCT tile, vinyl tile or other resilient floor covering products.

The Weinheimer’s established their floor covering inspection service in Oregon in 1990 when Terry Weinheimer moved his family to the Eugene, Oregon area from southern California where the Weinheimer family had its start in the floor covering business in 1934.  Today the services of The Weinheimer Group are available on a regular basis throughout the state of Oregon and NW Washington. The primary service area includes Eugene, Roseburg, Medford, Salem, Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington. We regular travel to coastal Oregon cities such as Coos Bay, Florence, Newport, Seaside and Astoria and central Oregon cities such as Bend, Redmond and Madras. The Weinheimer’s are available to travel anywhere in the country upon request.

Terry and Kevin were trained as resilient floor covering inspectors by Mannington Mills and have inspected many resilient floors for manufacturers such as Mannington, Armstrong, Tarkett, Amtico, Domco, Congoleum, Metroflor and more. They’re resilient floor inspections are also available to home and building owners, retailers, distributors, insurance companies, attorneys, developers, contractors, floor installers, builders and others.

The floor covering industry is ever changing and both Kevin and Terry regular participate in floor covering events and training to remain current on these changes. In addition to resilient, sheet vinyl and resilient tile inspections the Weinheimer’s are also experts and hold certifications for inspecting other flooring and floor covering products such as laminate, hardwood and bamboo floors, cork floors, carpet and specialty floor coverings.

The Weinheimer Group LLC is a member of and holds certifications from organizations such as WFCA- World Floor Covering Association, NWFA – The National Wood Flooring Association, CFI – Certified Flooring Installers, IICRC – Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration, NICFI – National Institute of Floor Covering Inspectors, FCITS – Floor Consultants and Inspection Training Services, AFS – Advanced Flooring Specialist and others.

When you have a resilient floor covering or other flooring concern you are encouraged to contact Terry or Kevin Weinheimer for information, consultation or arranging an inspection.

To keep abreast of the latest trends in floor covering and our special offers you are invited to sign up for our free online newsletter The Weinheimer Letter.

Additional Information

• Commercial Carpet & Flooring Inspections

When a floor has failed Terry and Kevin Weinheimer will conduct tests to determine if the failure was the result of the product, adhesive, a barrier coating, installation, maintenance, site related moisture or other concern.

Prior to installation it is essential that concrete moisture and surface alkalinity testing be performed to determine the suitability of a concrete slab to receive a moisture-sensitive floor covering or coating. Prior to installation these tests should be performed on all concrete slabs regardless of their age or grade level.

Most U.S. producers of floor coverings, adhesives, and resinous coatings specify concrete moisture and surface alkalinity tests. Moisture Vapor Emission Rate (MVER) of a concrete floor slab and/or the Equilibrium Relative Humidity (ERH) in concrete floor determine level of dryness and suitability for the installation of their products.

ASTM International has developed written industry standards for testing the moisture of a concrete slab.

ASTM F1869-04 Standard Test Method for Measuring Moisture Vapor Emission Rate of Concrete Subfloor Using Anhydrous Calcium Chloride.

ASTM F2170-02 Test Method for Determining Relative Humidity in Concrete Floor Slabs Using In-Situ Probes.

ASTM F2420-05 Standard Test Method for Determining Relative Humidity on the Surface of Concrete Floor Slabs Using Relative Humidity Probe Measurement and Insulated Hood.

ASTM F710-08 Standard Practice for Preparing Concrete Floors to Receive Resilient Flooring offers recommendations regarding the suitability of a concrete slab for the installation of resilient floor coverings based on results achieved by these test methods. This standard states that moisture vapor emission, per ASTM F1869, should not exceed 3 pounds per 1,000 square feet per 24 hours, unless otherwise specified by the flooring or adhesive manufacturer. The standard continues by stating that relative humidity inside of a concrete slab should not exceed 75%, per ASTM F2170, unless otherwise specified by the flooring or adhesive manufacturer.

The Weinheimer Group LLC is available to provide concrete moisture and surface alkalinity testing based on the ASTM protocol and/or the specifications of the flooring product that is to be installed. From our offices in Oregon our services are available worldwide. Feel free to contact us for more information. To keep abreast of the latest trends in floor covering and our special offers you are invited to sign up for our free online newsletter The Weinheimer Letter.

Additional Information

• Carpet and Flooring Onsite Testing & Inspection

Commercial Flooring Inspections and Floor Failure Analysis: Flooring Inspectors Terry Weinheimer and Kevin Weinheimer are experts at evaluating and solving commercial and residential floor covering, performance, manufacturing and installation problems.

With over 50 years of combined experience, Terry and Kevin investigate and solve floor covering problems for property owners, floor covering manufacturers, major and local retailers, insurance companies, contractors, developers, individual consumers, attorneys and others. Our service usually includes a full investigation, on-site and/or laboratory testing, research and a written report to the commissioning party. We are also available for concrete vapor emissions testing, consulting, research, trial assistance and expert testimony.

The Weinheimer Group is available for assignments of any size from a single room to a large complex.  Feel free to contact us to discuss a project anywhere in the world. To keep abreast of the latest trends in floor covering and our services sign up for your free subscription to The Weinheimer Letter.

Additional Information

• A Flooring Inspector Can Protect Your Investment

Flooring Inspectors Terry and Kevin have inspected well over a thousand laminate floors manufactured by companies such as Pergo, Uniclic, Quickstep, Wilsonart, Shaw, Mannington, Mohawk, Armstrong, DuPont, Bruce, Alloc, Universal and others. Our laminate floor inspections have been and continue to be provided to flooring manufacturers, floor covering retailers, architects, builders, developers, building owners, home owners, installers, insurance companies and attorneys.

Terry Weinheimer’s experience as a floor covering inspector began more than 30 years ago and Kevin Weinheimer was first certified more than 10 years. The Weinheimer Group LLC has been providing floor covering inspections in Oregon since 1990 after relocating to Oregon from Southern California.

The laminate flooring industry has experienced continued change and both Kevin and Terry regular participate in floor covering events and training to remain current on these changes. In addition to laminate inspections the Weinheimer’s are also experts and hold certifications for inspecting other flooring and floor covering products such as hardwood and bamboo floors, resilient floor covering, cork floors, carpet and specialty floor coverings.

The Weinheimer Group LLC is a member of and holds certifications from organizations such as WFCA- World Floor Covering Association, NWFA – The National Wood Flooring Association, CFI – Certified Flooring Installers, IICRC – Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration, NICFI – National Institute of Floor Covering Inspectors, FCITS – Floor Consultants and Inspection Training Services, AFS – Advanced Flooring Specialist and others.

The Weinheimer Group LLC provides both residential and commercial laminate inspections. Centrally located in Eugene, Oregon services are provided on a regular basis throughout the state of Oregon and SW Washington. Nationwide service is also available.  When you have a laminate or other flooring concern you are encouraged to contact Terry or Kevin Weinheimer for information, consultation or arranging an inspection.

To keep abreast of the latest trends in floor covering and our special offers you are invited to sign up for our free online newsletter The Weinheimer Letter.

Additional Information

• Carpet and Flooring Onsite Testing & Inspection
• Choosing The Right Floor Covering Inspector
• The Thoroughness of a Flooring Inspection

Terry and Kevin are experts at carpet fault analysis are the authors of Carpet Inspectors Handbook a book that is used to teach others how to inspect carpet and identify manufacturing, maintenance, installation, specification and carpet warranty concerns. From the more common problems such as performance, installation and wear to problems that have others stumped the Weinheimer Group has the answers.

Terry Weinheimer has been a certified carpet inspector for more than 30 years and Kevin Weinheimer a certified carpet inspector for more than 10 years. Both Kevin and Terry regular participate in floor covering events and training to remain current on recent changes in the carpet industry. The Weinheimer Group LLC has been providing Carpet Inspections in Oregon since 1990 after relocating to Oregon from Southern California.

In addition to carpet inspection the Weinheimer’s are also experts and hold certifications for inspecting other flooring and floor covering products such as hardwood and bamboo floors, resilient floor covering, cork floors, laminate floors and specialty floor coverings.

The Weinheimer Group LLC is a member of and holds certifications from organizations such as WFCA- World Floor Covering Association, NWFA – The National Wood Flooring Association, CFI – Certified Flooring Installers, IICRC – Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration, NICFI – National Institute of Floor Covering Inspectors, FCITS – Floor Consultants and Inspection Training Services, AFS – Advanced Flooring Specialist and others.

The carpet inspection services of the Weinheimer Group LLC are used by the three largest carpet manufactures Shaw, Mohawk and Beaulieu. The services are also used by many other carpet manufacturers, large retailers such as Home Depot and Lowe’s along and many smaller retailers. Other users of carpet inspection and carpet consulting services of The Weinheimer Group include, carpet installation companies, building contractors and developers, insurance companies, legal services, building and home owners.

The Weinheimer Group LLC provides both residential and commercial carpet inspection. Centrally located in Eugene, Oregon services are provided on a regular basis throughout the state of Oregon and SW Washington. Nationwide service is also available.  When you have a carpet concern you are encouraged to contact Terry or Kevin Weinheimer for information, consultation

To keep abreast of the latest trends in floor covering and our special offers you are invited to sign up for our free online newsletter The Weinheimer Letter.

Additional Information

• Commercial Carpet & Flooring Inspections
• Laminate Flooring Inspections
• Carpet and Flooring Onsite Testing & Inspection

Specialty floors will usually have enhanced characteristics such as those to prevent slip and fall injuries, or have enhanced static prevention for installations with sensitive electronic equipment, computers and circuit boards. Other floors are often designed with antibacterial properties for installations such as cleanrooms and hospital operating rooms. Other floors are designed with factors such as raised areas, athletics, light reflectiveness, acoustics or low maintenance in mind.

Unfortunately there are times that just like any other floor these specialty floors may fail. Regardless of a floors enhanced or advanced characteristic or use The Weinheimer Group LLC has the expertise and resources in investigate, research and analyze a specialty floor covering problem should it occur.

Certified Floor Covering Inspectors Terry Weinheimer and Kevin Weinheimer have well over 50 years of combined experience in the floor covering industry. Terry earned his first certification more than 30 years ago and Kevin Weinheimer was first certified for more than 10 years ago. Both Kevin and Terry regular participate in floor covering events and training to remain current on recent changes in the floor covering industry. The Weinheimer Group LLC has been providing flooring inspections in Oregon since 1990 after relocating to Oregon from Southern California.

The Weinheimer’s are flooring experts, they hold certifications and have the expertise to inspect and evaluate flooring and floor covering products such as carpet, hardwood and bamboo floors, resilient floor covering, cork floors, laminate floors and specialty floor coverings.

The Weinheimer Group LLC is a member of and holds certifications from organizations such as WFCA- World Floor Covering Association, NWFA – The National Wood Flooring Association, CFI – Certified Flooring Installers, IICRC – Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration, NICFI – National Institute of Floor Covering Inspectors, FCITS – Floor Consultants and Inspection Training Services, AFS – Advanced Flooring Specialist and others.

The Weinheimer Group services are used by many flooring and floor covering manufacturers, architects, developers, building and property owners, installation companies, contractors, legal services and others.

The Weinheimer Group LLC provides both commercial and residential inspections and floor failure analysis. Centrally located in Eugene, Oregon services are provided on a regular basis throughout the state of Oregon and SW Washington. Nationwide service is also available.  When you have a floor covering concern you are encouraged to contact Terry or Kevin Weinheimer for information, consultation or service.

To keep abreast of the latest trends in floor covering and our special offers you are invited to sign up for our free online newsletter The Weinheimer Letter.

Additional Information

• Carpet and Flooring Onsite Testing & Inspection
• Choosing The Right Floor Covering Inspector
• The Thoroughness of a Flooring Inspection