Inspection and Problem Diagnosis
What the exam tests
This domain tests a technician's ability to inspect carpet systematically and name the cause of a defect before quoting a repair. Expect questions on wrinkle and ripple diagnosis, seam failure, delamination, moisture, tack strip condition, transitions and stair wear.
Core rules
- Inspect under raking light and from normal viewing height; document pattern, pile direction and dye lot before disturbing the floor.
- Walk the full perimeter, all seams, transitions, stairs and closets. Probe tack strip for loose nails and bent pins.
- Separate installation error from manufacturing defect and site condition. Insufficient stretch, poor seaming and wrong tack strip are installation issues; tuft bind and backing failure may be manufacturing; humidity, slab moisture and heavy furniture are site conditions.
- Screen concrete moisture before reinstallation. A moisture meter is a screening tool, not a pass result.
- Flex a cut edge to check delamination and use a straightedge to check seam peaking.
Worked example
A living room has ripples running parallel to a cross seam. The carpet is loose at one wall but tight at the opposite wall. The tack strip is intact and the backing does not delaminate. Reasoning: ripples that move when walked on and run parallel to a seam usually indicate insufficient stretch, not a failed seam. The loose wall edge suggests the carpet was knee-kicked rather than power stretched. The repair is to re-stretch and re-tuck, not to patch the seam.
Traps
- Calling every ripple delamination without a flex test.
- Ignoring moisture, subfloor contamination or pet residue.
- Cutting a diagnostic hole before recording pattern, pile direction and dye lot.
Key points
- Inspect with raking light and document before repair.
- Match the symptom to installation, manufacturing or site cause.
- Test tack strip, backing and moisture, not just appearance.
- Ripples parallel to a seam often mean poor stretch.
- Do not destroy evidence before diagnosis.