Crushing
Crushing / Pile Compression (Carpet)
Floor Detective® Claims and Conditions Guide
Summary
Crushing, also referred to as pile compression, is an appearance-related condition in which carpet pile yarns lose height, resilience, and surface definition under repeated traffic or sustained static loading. The condition develops as pile yarns bend, compress, and change orientation over time, altering light reflectance and apparent surface density rather than manufactured density, fiber integrity, or structural performance. Crushing commonly develops in traffic lanes, pivot points, and areas subjected to concentrated use or furniture loading, and visibility may increase under directional or low-angle lighting conditions. The condition reflects appearance retention behavior associated with construction characteristics, traffic exposure, cushion interaction, and maintenance patterns rather than manufacturing defect or backing failure. See also Matting, Appearance Retention, and Carpet Problems for broader context.
Carpet Problems
Carpet Fiber Identification (Field and Laboratory Methods)
Wool and Wool Carpet Properties
Carpet Beetle Damage
Fiber Properties
Missing Row
Wrinkles in Backing
Unraveling / Runs (Carpet)
Core Crush / Roll-Core Pile Reversal (Carpet)
