What Causes Carpet to Buckle?

Did you know that carpet wrinkles can be a fall hazard? Once you notice lumps on the surface of your carpet, you should have it stretched right away. Here are some of the top reasons why carpets buckle:
Improper Padding
Low quality carpet and padding may save you some money up front, but in the long run, it can cost you. It is a good idea to check the manufacture’s specifications for padding. This will vary depending on the type of carpet you purchase.

For example, if you are purchasing a cut pile carpet, you will want padding that is no greater than seven-sixteenths of an inch thick and no less than a six-pound density. Again, check with the manufacturer for the specs for your specific carpet. Selecting the improper padding can void the manufacturer’s warranty and lead to your carpet becoming wrinkled and rippled.

Heavy foot traffic or furniture
A carpet with no cuts or damage can still require a stretching. If you look down at the carpet, it may have visible lumps and wrinkles from years of use. For example, moving a long-standing piece of heavy furniture to another area can cause the carpet to warp in the original area. Lumps and wrinkles will appear throughout the rest of the carpet body in response to furniture and foot traffic. If necessary, you can crouch down and look at the top of the carpet; if it looks like a bumpy, mountainous surface, it will require stretching.

Water Damage

Just as too much moisture in the air can cause a carpet to buckle, so can too much moisture in the carpet itself. carpet that has become overly wet, as the result of flooding or improper steam cleaning, is extremely susceptible to stretching. Because of the risk associated with over wetting, it is advisable to have your carpets professionally cleaned, rather than doing it yourself with a rented machine.