Sometimes, even with the right care a Persian carpet will succumb to its environment and daily wear and tear. Problems in the form of mildew damage, insect infestations, and unraveled edges can occur, and must be attended to immediately before further damage results. That’s why routine examinations should be peformed to spot a problem before it causes serious damage to its overall structure and design, resulting in costly repairs.
Here are things to look out for:
Spots that are worn down
Look at the surface of the pile. Do you see any part of the pile that is far shorter than other parts? Any spots where you can see the warp threads? These are indications that use has worn these areas down, exposing part of the supportive structure of the rug, the warp. If the pile is not repaired in this situation, continued usage may cause the warp to wear down, thereby causing serious structural damage.
Check the underside of the rug as well. Worn patches may be easier to detect this way since generally, the colour of the warp and weft are of a different colour from the pile making it more visible.
A rug repair professional can fix these worn spots for you. Help the professional you’ve hired by letting them know as many details about the rug as possible, such as place of origin, materials and date of manufacture. Usually, a professional will know most of the details by simply looking at the rug, however it doesn’t hurt to tell them.
Moth Infestation
Moths love to feast on the wool used in Persian Rugs and Carpets. Flip the rug over and look for holes in the threads of the warp. There may be a few very small ones, or many larger ones. These all indicate a moth presence.
Another way to check for moths is to look for the actual moths in the rug. Gently spread the fibres of the pile apart or shake the rug to do this. If you see any creeping around, chances are they’ve already caused damage.
To solve this problem, the rug must be treated for the infestation and the holes repaired. Seek a professional rug cleaner for advice since many store-bought products can be too harsh and are inappropriate. Specific cleaning techniques may also be required to prevent damage.
Unraveling Edges
If the edges of your rug are frayed due to the binding/border unraveling, you must have this repaired before it spreads further into the carpet. Special care should be taken when vacuuming, since suction can worsen it.
A Persian Rug is an investment for the future, and as such, should not be neglected. Spotting problems and fixing them as soon as you can is vital to maintain the integrity of your investment. Neglect will simply make problems worse, until the resulting damage becomes irreparable.
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