Gauge Lines/Rows
Gauge Lines / Gauge Rows (Carpet)
Floor Detective® Claims and Conditions Guide
Summary
Gauge lines, also referred to as gauge rows, are manufacturing-origin appearance conditions that occur when repetitive tuft height or yarn tension variation develops along consistent needle positions during tufting and finishing. Because tufting machines operate at fixed needle spacing, tension irregularities, needle variation, or shearing differences may create alternating height or reflectance changes between adjacent tuft rows, producing visible linear striping aligned in the machine direction. The condition commonly appears as repetitive ribbing, striping, or corduroy-like texture visible under directional lighting and may become more noticeable in plush or smooth surface constructions. Gauge rows affect visual uniformity only and do not independently reduce tuft bind, backing integrity, durability, or service life. The condition may resemble other manufacturing-related linear appearance irregularities, but gauge rows are identified by repetitive needle-spacing patterns and consistent machine-direction alignment. See also J-Cut Rows, Shift Marks, 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)
