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Carpet Repair and Reinstallation Technician study materials
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Carpet Repair and Reinstallation Technician practice questions

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Question 1Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

During a post-installation inspection of a stretch-in carpet, you notice that the carpet has a wavy, rippled appearance across the center of the room. Which condition most likely explains this observation?

  1. The carpet cushion was installed with the seams overlapping excessively
  2. The carpet was installed over a substrate with excessive moisture
  3. The carpet was installed without adequate stretching and has not been properly tensioned Correct answer.
  4. The carpet was power-stretched with excessive tension and has begun to relax

Explanation

Ripples and waves across the field of a stretch-in carpet typically indicate insufficient stretch tension, so the carpet relaxes back toward its unstretched dimensions. Excessive tension produces a different failure pattern, often buckling or seam separation rather than uniform rippling. Proper power stretching to the correct tension prevents this condition.

Question 2Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

When inspecting a carpet seam under raking light, you observe a visible gap running the length of the seam. Which cause is most consistent with this finding?

  1. The seam was sealed with the wrong adhesive type
  2. The seam was placed perpendicular to the primary backing grain
  3. The seam edges were trimmed too narrow, removing the sealed edge Correct answer.
  4. The seam edges were trimmed too wide before sealing

Explanation

A visible gap along a seam usually results from over-trimming, which removes the heat-sealed edge and exposes the backing. The trimmed edge must retain enough sealed material to bond. Trimming too wide would create an overlap, not a gap.

Question 3Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

A customer reports that a newly installed carpet shows a visible pattern mismatch at a seam. During inspection, you determine the pattern was not properly aligned during seaming. Which corrective action is most appropriate?

  1. Apply seam sealer along the visible mismatch and re-roll the seam
  2. Disassemble the seam, realign the pattern, and reseal it Correct answer.
  3. Install a transition strip to conceal the mismatch
  4. Re-stretch the carpet to pull the pattern into alignment

Explanation

Pattern mismatch is a seaming error that cannot be corrected by surface treatment or tensioning; the seam must be opened, realigned, and resealed. Re-stretching does not change pattern registration. Concealing the defect does not restore the intended appearance.

Question 4Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

You are inspecting a berber-style loop pile carpet and find several pulled loops along a high-traffic path. Which inspection conclusion is most accurate?

  1. The pulls indicate the cushion was installed face down
  2. The pulls indicate the carpet was installed with insufficient stretch
  3. The pulls are consistent with mechanical snagging and are not a manufacturing defect Correct answer.
  4. The pulls are a manufacturing defect because loop pile should not snag

Explanation

Pulled loops in loop pile carpet are typically caused by snagging from traffic, vacuuming, or sharp objects and are considered a use-related condition rather than a manufacturing defect. Loop pile is inherently susceptible to snagging by design. Installation tension and cushion orientation do not cause localized pulled loops.

Question 5Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

During inspection of a glue-down carpet installation, you find that the carpet has delaminated from the adhesive in a large area. Which condition most likely caused this failure?

  1. The carpet was seamed with heat-seal tape
  2. The carpet was installed with a knee-kicker instead of a power stretcher
  3. The adhesive was applied and allowed to flash off too long before laying the carpet Correct answer.
  4. The carpet was power-stretched after the adhesive cured

Explanation

In glue-down installations, adhesive that flashes off too long before the carpet is laid loses its tack and transfer ability, resulting in poor bond and delamination. The open time must be observed per the adhesive manufacturer's instructions. Stretching methods and seaming tape do not apply to glue-down adhesion.

Question 6Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

An inspector observes that a carpet seam has a pronounced ridge visible under raking light. Which condition is the most likely cause?

  1. The carpet was installed with too little stretch
  2. The seam was sealed with a cool iron
  3. The seam edges were trimmed too narrow
  4. The seam edges were trimmed too wide, leaving excess material Correct answer.

Explanation

A ridge along a seam usually indicates excess material left at the seam edge, often from trimming too wide, causing an overlap or hump. Proper trimming removes excess backing before sealing. Insufficient stretch causes field ripples, not a localized seam ridge.

Question 7Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

A customer complains of a strong odor in a recently installed carpet over a concrete slab. During inspection, you note high moisture readings in the slab. Which conclusion is most appropriate?

  1. The odor indicates the carpet was manufactured with a defect
  2. The odor indicates the carpet was installed with the wrong tack strip
  3. The odor is from the carpet dye and will dissipate with ventilation
  4. The odor is likely related to elevated slab moisture affecting the carpet and adhesive Correct answer.

Explanation

Elevated slab moisture can cause microbial growth, adhesive breakdown, and odors in carpet installations. Moisture testing of concrete slabs before installation is a standard inspection step. Dye odor and tack strip choice do not explain the correlation with high moisture readings.

Question 8Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

When inspecting a carpet installation for buckling at the perimeter, you find the carpet is tight against the wall on three sides but buckled near one wall. Which cause is most likely?

  1. The cushion was installed with the backing facing up
  2. The carpet was over-stretched along the buckled wall
  3. The carpet was not properly engaged on the tack strip along the buckled wall Correct answer.
  4. The carpet was seamed with a cool iron

Explanation

Perimeter buckling commonly occurs when the carpet is not fully engaged on the tack strip, allowing the carpet to release and buckle. Proper engagement along all walls is essential. Over-stretching would tend to pull the carpet tighter, not buckle it.

Question 9Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

An inspector is evaluating a complaint about shading differences across a carpet installation. Which factor is most important to rule out before concluding a manufacturing defect?

  1. The brand of seam sealer used
  2. The direction of pile lay and lighting conditions Correct answer.
  3. The type of tack strip used
  4. The number of staples used at the perimeter

Explanation

Pile lay direction and lighting can create apparent shading differences that are not manufacturing defects. Inspectors must evaluate the installation under controlled lighting and consider pile direction before attributing shading to the product. Tack strip, sealer, and staples do not cause field shading.

Question 10Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

During inspection, you find that a carpet has a visible line of discoloration along the edge of a seam that appears yellowed. Which cause is most likely?

  1. Excess seam sealer was applied and wicked into the face yarn Correct answer.
  2. The carpet was installed with insufficient stretch
  3. The carpet was vacuumed too aggressively
  4. The carpet was installed over a wet slab

Explanation

Yellowing along a seam often results from excess seam sealer wicking into the face yarn. Proper sealer application avoids excess and prevents wicking. Stretch tension, slab moisture, and vacuuming do not produce a seam-localized yellow line.

Question 11Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

An inspector observes that a carpet has a series of small, circular indentations across the field. Which condition is most likely responsible?

  1. Over-stretching at the perimeter
  2. Improper pile direction
  3. Insufficient seam sealer
  4. Furniture legs or heavy objects left in place after installation Correct answer.

Explanation

Circular indentations across a carpet field are typically caused by furniture legs or heavy objects left in place after installation, compressing the pile. This is a use-related condition rather than an installation defect. Seam sealer, stretch tension, and pile direction do not create circular indentations.

Question 12Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

You are inspecting a carpet seam that has begun to open along a high-traffic area. Which factor is most commonly associated with seam failure in this location?

  1. Excessive pile height
  2. The use of a transition strip at a doorway
  3. Inadequate seam sealer coverage or bond strength Correct answer.
  4. The use of a power stretcher during installation

Explanation

Seam failure in high-traffic areas is most often associated with inadequate sealer coverage or weak bond strength. Proper sealer application and curing are essential to seam integrity. Pile height, stretching, and transition strips do not directly cause seam opening.

Question 13Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

During inspection, you observe that the carpet has a fuzzy, frayed appearance along the seam edge. Which cause is most likely?

  1. The carpet was installed over a cushion with the wrong density
  2. The carpet was installed with the wrong tack strip
  3. The seam edges were trimmed too narrow, exposing unsealed yarn ends Correct answer.
  4. The carpet was installed with too much stretch

Explanation

Fraying along a seam edge typically results from trimming too narrow, which exposes unsealed yarn ends and allows them to fray. Proper trimming preserves the sealed edge. Stretch, cushion density, and tack strip choice do not cause seam-edge fraying.

Question 14Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

An inspector is evaluating a complaint of carpet discoloration in a room with large windows. Which inspection step is most appropriate to determine the cause?

  1. Count the staples at the perimeter
  2. Test the carpet with a moisture meter only
  3. Measure the pile height in the discolored area
  4. Compare the discolored area to carpet protected from sunlight and check for fading patterns Correct answer.

Explanation

Sunlight exposure can cause fading or discoloration, so comparing exposed areas to protected areas helps determine whether UV exposure is responsible. Moisture testing, pile height measurement, and staple counting do not address sunlight-related discoloration. Controlled comparison is the key inspection technique.

Question 15Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

You are inspecting a carpet installation and find that the carpet has a visible hump running across the room. Which cause is most likely?

  1. The carpet was installed with too many staples
  2. The carpet was not properly stretched and has relaxed Correct answer.
  3. The carpet was installed with the pile direction reversed
  4. The carpet was installed with the wrong seam sealer

Explanation

A hump across the room typically indicates insufficient stretch, allowing the carpet to relax and lift. Proper power stretching prevents this condition. Sealer, staples, and pile direction do not create a broad hump.

Question 16Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

During inspection, you find that a carpet has a series of parallel lines of discoloration following the backing weave. Which condition is most likely?

  1. The carpet was installed with the wrong tack strip
  2. The carpet was installed with too much stretch
  3. The carpet was installed with insufficient cushion Correct answer.
  4. The carpet was installed with a seam sealer that wicked into the backing

Explanation

Parallel lines following the backing weave often indicate cushion-related telegraphing, where insufficient or inappropriate cushion allows the backing texture to show through. Proper cushion selection and installation reduce telegraphing. Sealer, tack strip, and stretch do not produce this pattern.

Question 17Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

An inspector is evaluating a complaint of carpet wrinkling in a room with a large area rug. Which factor is most important to consider?

  1. The area rug may be causing excessive pile direction changes
  2. The area rug may be interfering with seam sealer curing
  3. The area rug may be causing the tack strip to loosen
  4. The area rug may be trapping moisture and affecting the carpet beneath Correct answer.

Explanation

Area rugs can trap moisture and create conditions that affect the carpet beneath, potentially contributing to wrinkling or odor. Inspectors should consider moisture and ventilation under area rugs. Pile direction, sealer curing, and tack strip loosening are not directly related.

Question 18Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

During inspection, you observe that a carpet seam has a slight color difference from the surrounding field. Which cause is most likely?

  1. The carpet was installed with too much stretch
  2. The carpet was installed with too many staples
  3. The carpet was installed with the wrong cushion
  4. The two pieces were cut from different dye lots Correct answer.

Explanation

Color differences at a seam often indicate that the two pieces came from different dye lots. Dye lot matching is a critical pre-installation inspection step. Stretch, cushion, and staples do not cause color variation between pieces.

Question 19Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

You are inspecting a carpet installation and find that the carpet has a series of small holes along the perimeter. Which cause is most likely?

  1. The carpet was installed with the pile direction reversed
  2. The carpet was installed with the wrong seam sealer
  3. The carpet was installed with too much stretch
  4. The carpet was improperly engaged on the tack strip, causing the tack strip to puncture the face Correct answer.

Explanation

Small holes along the perimeter often indicate that the carpet was improperly engaged on the tack strip, allowing the tack strip to puncture the face. Proper engagement technique prevents this damage. Stretch, sealer, and pile direction do not cause perimeter holes.

Question 20Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

An inspector is evaluating a complaint of carpet delamination in a stretch-in installation. Which factor is most likely?

  1. The carpet was installed with the wrong tack strip
  2. The carpet was over-stretched, causing backing separation Correct answer.
  3. The carpet was installed with the wrong seam sealer
  4. The carpet was installed with too many staples

Explanation

Over-stretching a stretch-in carpet can cause the backing to separate from the face, leading to delamination. Proper stretch tension is critical. Tack strip, staples, and seam sealer do not cause field delamination.

Question 21Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

During inspection, you find that a carpet has a visible seam that appears to be pulling apart at the ends. Which cause is most likely?

  1. The carpet was installed with too much stretch
  2. The carpet was installed with the pile direction reversed
  3. The seam was not properly secured at the ends Correct answer.
  4. The carpet was installed with the wrong cushion

Explanation

Seam ends that pull apart often indicate inadequate securing at the ends, such as insufficient sealer or improper trimming. Proper end treatment is essential. Stretch, cushion, and pile direction do not directly cause seam ends to separate.

Question 22Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

You are inspecting a carpet installation and find that the carpet has a series of wrinkles radiating from a seam. Which cause is most likely?

  1. The carpet was installed with the wrong tack strip
  2. The carpet was installed with too many staples
  3. The seam was not properly stretched and is causing tension imbalance Correct answer.
  4. The carpet was installed with the wrong seam sealer

Explanation

Wrinkles radiating from a seam often indicate a tension imbalance caused by improper stretching at the seam. Proper stretching technique across seams prevents this condition. Tack strip, staples, and sealer do not create radiating wrinkles.

Question 23Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

An inspector observes that a carpet has a visible line of discoloration along a wall. Which cause is most likely?

  1. The carpet was installed with the wrong cushion
  2. The carpet was installed with too much stretch
  3. The carpet was not properly tucked at the wall, allowing soil to accumulate Correct answer.
  4. The carpet was installed with the pile direction reversed

Explanation

Discoloration along a wall often results from improper tucking, which allows soil and debris to accumulate along the edge. Proper tucking and trimming prevent this condition. Stretch, cushion, and pile direction do not cause wall-line discoloration.

Question 24Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

During inspection, you find that a carpet has a series of small, dark spots across the field. Which condition is most likely?

  1. The carpet was exposed to moisture and developed microbial growth Correct answer.
  2. The carpet was installed with the pile direction reversed
  3. The carpet was installed with the wrong tack strip
  4. The carpet was installed with too much stretch

Explanation

Small dark spots across a carpet field often indicate moisture-related microbial growth. Moisture testing and ventilation assessment are appropriate inspection steps. Stretch, tack strip, and pile direction do not cause dark spots.

Question 25Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

You are inspecting a carpet installation and find that the carpet has a visible seam that appears to be raised along its entire length. Which cause is most likely?

  1. The carpet was installed with the wrong cushion
  2. The carpet was installed with the pile direction reversed
  3. The carpet was installed with too much stretch
  4. The seam edges were trimmed too wide, leaving excess material Correct answer.

Explanation

A raised seam along its entire length typically indicates excess material left at the seam edge, often from trimming too wide. Proper trimming removes excess before sealing. Stretch, cushion, and pile direction do not create a raised seam profile.

Question 26Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

A customer reports that a carpet installed over a wood subfloor feels loose and shifts underfoot near a doorway. During inspection, you find the carpet is anchored at the perimeter but the field moves freely. Which installation deficiency should you evaluate first?

  1. Insufficient stretch tension in the field Correct answer.
  2. Excess tackstrip pin exposure
  3. Improper seam sealing at the doorway
  4. Over-stretched carpet at the perimeter

Explanation

When the carpet is secured at the perimeter but the field remains loose, the most likely cause is inadequate stretch tension, meaning the carpet was not power-stretched to the required tension before trimming and anchoring. Perimeter anchoring alone does not remove slack from the field.

Question 27Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

During a post-installation inspection, you observe that the carpet pattern is misaligned across a seam in a berber-style carpet. Which inspection finding should you document first to determine whether this is a manufacturing or installation issue?

  1. The pile height of the carpet
  2. The color of the tackstrip
  3. The type of cushion under the carpet
  4. The pattern repeat and match at the seam Correct answer.

Explanation

Pattern matching at a seam is evaluated by comparing the pattern repeat and alignment on both sides of the seam. Documenting the repeat and match point helps determine whether the mismatch resulted from installation cutting or from a manufacturing pattern variation.

Question 28Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

A homeowner complains that a new carpet shows dark traffic lanes in a hallway within weeks of installation. Inspection reveals the shading changes direction when viewed from opposite ends of the hall. Which condition are you most likely observing?

  1. Soiling from foot traffic
  2. Pile reversal or shading Correct answer.
  3. Dye lot variation
  4. Fading from sunlight

Explanation

Shading that changes appearance when viewed from opposite directions is characteristic of pile reversal or shading, not actual soiling. Pile reversal is a lighting and pile orientation phenomenon and is not corrected by cleaning.

Question 29Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

You inspect a stretch-in carpet and find that the carpet is pulling away from the wall along one entire wall, exposing the tackstrip. Which cause is most likely?

  1. The carpet was trimmed too long at that wall
  2. The seam was placed too close to the wall
  3. The cushion was installed with the wrong side up
  4. The carpet was not properly engaged on the tackstrip pins Correct answer.

Explanation

When carpet releases along an entire wall and exposes the tackstrip, the usual cause is that the carpet was not properly engaged on the tackstrip pins during installation. Proper engagement requires the carpet to be pressed onto the pins after stretching.

Question 30Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

During inspection, you find a carpet seam in a loop-pile carpet where the loops along the seam edge are cut and the seam is visible. Which cause is most likely?

  1. The carpet was stretched after seaming
  2. The seam was placed parallel to the pile direction
  3. The seam was made with a row-running technique that cut the loop rows Correct answer.
  4. The seam was sealed with too much adhesive

Explanation

In loop-pile carpet, cutting across loop rows during seaming exposes cut loop ends that make the seam visible. Proper technique preserves loop integrity along the seam edge.

Question 31Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

An inspector is called to evaluate a complaint that a carpet feels hard and flat in a high-traffic area. Which inspection step is most appropriate to determine whether the cushion has collapsed?

  1. Lift the carpet edge and measure cushion thickness and resilience Correct answer.
  2. Check the carpet backing for delamination
  3. Measure the pile height with a ruler
  4. Check the seam for adhesive bleed

Explanation

Cushion collapse is assessed by lifting the carpet edge and measuring cushion thickness and resilience in the affected area. Comparing the compressed area with an undisturbed area confirms whether the cushion has lost loft.

Question 32Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

You inspect a carpet installation and find that the carpet has a visible wave pattern across the field that does not flatten when the room humidity is reduced. Which cause is most likely?

  1. Excess humidity in the room
  2. Improper cushion density
  3. Carpet manufactured with a wave pattern
  4. Insufficient stretch during installation Correct answer.

Explanation

Waves that persist after humidity is reduced indicate that the carpet was not stretched to proper tension during installation. Humidity-related relaxation usually improves when moisture levels drop, whereas insufficient stretch leaves permanent slack.

Question 33Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

A customer complains that a carpet seam in a high-traffic area has a dark line along its length. Inspection shows the seam edges are slightly raised. Which cause is most likely?

  1. The carpet was installed with the pile direction reversed
  2. The carpet was cleaned with a wet extraction method
  3. The seam edges were not trimmed flush before seaming Correct answer.
  4. The seam was sealed with a hot-melt tape that was overheated

Explanation

Raised seam edges with a dark line usually indicate that the seam edges were not trimmed flush before seaming, leaving overlapping or uneven material. Proper edge trimming produces a flat seam.

Question 34Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

During inspection, you find that a carpet has a series of small, dark, crescent-shaped marks near a doorway. Which condition is most likely?

  1. Dye spots from the manufacturing process
  2. Filtration soiling along the doorway Correct answer.
  3. Marks from tackstrip pins
  4. Indentations from furniture legs

Explanation

Crescent-shaped dark marks near a doorway are typical of filtration soiling, where air passes through gaps and deposits soil at the edges. This pattern follows air pathways rather than furniture or tackstrip locations.

Question 35Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

An inspector observes that a carpet has a visible line of discoloration along the edge of a seam that appears yellow. Which cause is most likely?

  1. Pile reversal along the seam
  2. Sun fading along the seam
  3. Adhesive bleed from seam tape Correct answer.
  4. Filtration soiling along the seam

Explanation

Yellow discoloration along a seam edge is commonly caused by adhesive bleed from seam tape or seam sealer. The discoloration follows the seam line and is associated with the adhesive rather than lighting or air flow.

Question 36Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

You inspect a carpet installation and find that the carpet has a series of small holes along the perimeter. Which cause is most likely?

  1. Improper trimming at the wall
  2. Staples from the cushion installation
  3. Tackstrip pins penetrating the carpet Correct answer.
  4. Carpet beetle damage

Explanation

Small holes along the perimeter are typically caused by tackstrip pins penetrating the carpet. This occurs when the carpet is engaged on the pins with excessive force or when the pins are too long for the carpet and cushion.

Question 37Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

A customer reports that a newly installed loop-pile carpet feels rough and fuzzy along a seam in a hallway. During inspection, you observe that the yarn loops along both edges of the seam have been sheared off, creating a visible gap. Which installation error is the most likely cause?

  1. The carpet was stretched with excessive power during installation.
  2. The seam was sealed with a latex seam sealer that was applied too heavily.
  3. The seam was placed perpendicular to the primary backing grain.
  4. The seam edges were trimmed with a dull blade, crushing and cutting the loops. Correct answer.

Explanation

In loop-pile carpet, seam edges must be trimmed with a sharp blade to avoid cutting the loops, which creates a fuzzy, frayed seam and a visible gap. Heavy seam sealer or excessive stretch would not shear the loops along the seam edge. Seam orientation relative to backing grain affects pattern match, not loop integrity.

Question 38Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

You are inspecting a stretch-in carpet in a commercial corridor and notice that the carpet is loose and bubbles near the transitions at both ends of the corridor, while the middle of the run is tight. The carpet was installed with a power stretcher. Which condition most likely explains this pattern?

  1. The carpet was not power-stretched into the transitions, leaving slack at the ends. Correct answer.
  2. The carpet was installed over a cushion with a low compression set.
  3. The carpet was stretched while the room was at a high humidity level.
  4. The carpet was seamed at the midpoint of the corridor.

Explanation

Power stretching must extend the carpet fully into the transitions and secure it there; if the ends are not stretched and anchored, slack remains and bubbles appear at the terminations. Low compression set cushion would cause general looseness, not localized end bubbles. High humidity during stretching typically causes wrinkles after the carpet relaxes, not end-specific bubbling. A midpoint seam would not by itself create end bubbles.

Question 39Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

During a post-installation inspection of a direct-glue carpet in a basement, you detect a hollow sound when tapping over a large area and observe that the carpet lifts easily from the concrete. The adhesive appears tacky and transfers to your finger. Which factor is the most likely cause?

  1. The carpet was installed before the adhesive became tacky.
  2. The concrete slab emitted moisture that prevented the adhesive from curing. Correct answer.
  3. The adhesive was applied with a trowel that was too fine.
  4. The carpet was rolled with a heavy roller immediately after installation.

Explanation

High moisture vapor emission from a concrete slab can keep adhesive tacky and prevent proper bonding, leading to widespread release and hollow areas. A trowel that is too fine would reduce adhesive transfer but would not leave the adhesive tacky. Installing before the adhesive becomes tacky typically causes poor transfer, not persistent tackiness. Rolling with a heavy roller is a recommended practice and would not cause adhesive to remain tacky.

Question 40Inspection and Problem Diagnosis

An inspector is evaluating a complaint that a carpet installed with a tackless strip and cushion shows a series of ridges running parallel to the walls across the entire room. The ridges are uniform in height and spacing. Which installation defect is the most likely cause?

  1. The tackless strip was installed with the pins facing the wall.
  2. The carpet was installed with the pile direction alternating between pieces.
  3. The carpet was power-stretched with excessive force, causing the backing to distort.
  4. The carpet was stretched before the cushion was properly secured, creating trapped cushion wrinkles. Correct answer.

Explanation

If the cushion is not smoothed and secured before stretching, it can fold or wrinkle under the carpet, producing uniform ridges that run parallel to the direction of stretch. Excessive stretch force typically causes buckling or ripples, not uniform parallel ridges. Reversed tackless strip would prevent proper anchoring and cause the carpet to release from the wall. Alternating pile direction causes shading differences, not physical ridges.

Question 41Carpet Construction and Materials

A level-loop (loop pile) carpet differs from a cut-pile carpet primarily because its pile yarns are:

  1. Heat-set into a frieze texture after shearing
  2. Twisted and then sheared to a uniform height
  3. Coated with latex to stiffen each tuft tip
  4. Left uncut at the surface as continuous loops Correct answer.

Explanation

In loop pile construction the face yarns form uncut loops anchored in the primary backing, so the surface shows a series of loops rather than opened tuft ends. Cut pile is produced when those loops are severed, for example by a shearing blade on a cut-pile machine. The distinction is about whether the loop is severed, not about texture or finish.

Question 42Carpet Construction and Materials

During a reinstallation job, a technician notes the carpet has a woven, grid-like backing with clearly visible warp and weft yarns but no secondary backing. This carpet is best identified as:

  1. Woven carpet Correct answer.
  2. Fusion-bonded carpet
  3. Needle-punched carpet
  4. Tufted carpet with a unitary backing

Explanation

Woven carpet is produced on a loom where warp and weft yarns interlace, and the pile is formed by binding yarns into that woven structure. The visible interlaced grid is the defining characteristic. Tufted goods instead show a primary backing with inserted tufts, and needle-punched goods show a dense felted fiber mat.

Question 43Carpet Construction and Materials

In a tufted carpet, the primary backing performs which function?

  1. It provides the cushioning underfoot in place of a separate pad
  2. It serves as the decorative face yarn seen at the surface
  3. It holds the inserted tuft yarns in place before and after finishing Correct answer.
  4. It bonds the carpet to the subfloor as the installation adhesive

Explanation

The primary backing is the fabric into which the tufting needles insert the pile yarns, and it anchors those tufts so they can be locked by the applied latex coating. It is not the wear surface and it is not a substitute for cushion. Secondary backing or attached cushion, when present, is a separate layer.

Question 44Carpet Construction and Materials

Which backing system consists of pile yarns anchored into a primary fabric and then laminated to a secondary backing with an adhesive layer between them?

  1. Woven backing system
  2. Unitary backing system
  3. Attached-cushion system
  4. Secondary-backing (conventional) system Correct answer.

Explanation

The conventional secondary-backing system laminates a secondary fabric to the tufted primary backing using a latex adhesive that also locks the tufts. This gives dimensional stability and a clean back surface. Unitary and attached-cushion systems use different back constructions and are not described by a laminated secondary fabric.

Question 45Carpet Construction and Materials

A carpet labeled as having an attached cushion is being reinstalled over a concrete slab. What does the attached cushion designation mean for the installation?

  1. The cushion is factory-bonded to the carpet back and no separate pad is used Correct answer.
  2. The attached cushion must be removed before installation
  3. The carpet must be direct-glued because attached cushion cannot be stretched
  4. A separate pad must be installed beneath it to meet warranty

Explanation

Attached cushion means the cushion layer is manufactured as part of the carpet, so the installer does not lay a separate pad. Installation methods depend on the product and manufacturer instructions, and attached-cushion goods are commonly installed by stretch-in or direct glue depending on the specified system. The defining point is that the pad is integral to the carpet.

Question 46Carpet Construction and Materials

Which fiber is a manufactured cellulosic fiber commonly blended into carpet for its luster and dyeability?

  1. Nylon
  2. Rayon Correct answer.
  3. Olefin
  4. Wool

Explanation

Rayon is a manufactured fiber regenerated from cellulose, and it can be blended into carpet for sheen and dye response. Nylon and olefin are synthetic hydrocarbon-based fibers, and wool is a natural protein fiber. Fiber classification matters when selecting cleaning agents and heat settings.

Question 47Carpet Construction and Materials

A client wants a carpet for a busy corridor and asks which common face fiber generally offers the best combination of abrasion resistance and resilience. The best general answer is:

  1. Nylon Correct answer.
  2. Polypropylene
  3. Polyester (PET)
  4. Cotton

Explanation

Nylon is a polyamide with high tensile strength, good abrasion resistance, and strong elastic recovery, which allows pile to spring back after compression. Polyester and polypropylene are durable but generally lower in resilience, and cotton matts readily. This is why nylon dominates high-traffic commercial specifications.

Question 48Carpet Construction and Materials

Solution-dyed (dyed-in-the-fiber) nylon differs from stock-dyed or yarn-dyed nylon in that the color is:

  1. Sprayed onto the pile surface during finishing
  2. Absorbed into the yarn after tufting in a dye beck
  3. Added to the polymer before the fiber is extruded Correct answer.
  4. Applied to the finished carpet by printing

Explanation

Solution dyeing introduces pigment into the polymer melt before extrusion, so color runs throughout each filament. Stock dyeing colors fiber before yarn formation, and yarn or piece dyeing applies color later in processing. Solution-dyed yarns are notably resistant to fading and bleaching.

Question 49Carpet Construction and Materials

In carpet terminology, the term 'gauge' refers to:

  1. The weight of pile yarn per square yard
  2. The number of twists per inch in the pile yarn
  3. The height of the pile above the primary backing
  4. The spacing between tufting needles, expressed as needles per inch Correct answer.

Explanation

Gauge describes needle spacing on the tufting machine, usually stated as needles per inch, and it controls how closely tuft rows are set. Pile height, yarn weight, and twist are separate specifications. Gauge is a key indicator of surface density along with stitch rate.

Question 50Carpet Construction and Materials

Two carpets have the same face weight, but carpet A has a higher stitch rate and finer gauge than carpet B. What can the technician generally conclude about carpet A?

  1. It has a looser surface and will shed more fiber
  2. It has a taller pile and will show more crushing
  3. It has lower twist and will pill more readily
  4. It has a denser pile surface and is likely more durable in traffic Correct answer.

Explanation

Face weight alone does not describe density; density depends on how tightly the same yarn mass is packed into the surface. A finer gauge and higher stitch rate place more tufts per unit area, increasing surface density and generally improving wear performance. Pile height and twist are separate variables not implied by this data.