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Latex Decay - Common Carpet Problems
Latex is an adhesive material applied by the carpet or rug manufacture to anchor tufts to the back, give additional weight and to hold the backing onto the rug. Latex starts to deteriorate as soon as it is put into service. Similar to the rotting of automobile tires, elastic bands in garments and rubber bands. Gases in the air floor waxes, traffic and sunlight cause the break down.
A complex mixture, latex contains many chemicals affecting both its wearing properties and cost. Chemicals are added to latex in an effort to retard this breakdown, but cannot prevent its taking place. Other chemicals are added to reduce cost. Increased use of this material reduces the adhesive power of the latex causing an earlier breakdown and therefore a separation of the backing from the rug.
The more expensive latex compounds will better with stand aging as well as cleaning. But all rubber will deteriorate. The rate of the deterioration is influenced by the ingredients of the rubber mixture as well as the conditions under which it is used. This breakdown will not take place evenly, but will appear in smaller areas in the form of "bubbles" or separation. In many cases it is more apparent along the rug edges exposed to gases in the air. |
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