Pile Reversal – (Pooling – Watermarking)
Pooling / Watermarking (Pile Reversal) (Carpet)
Floor Detective® Claims and Conditions Guide
Summary
Pooling, also referred to as watermarking or pile reversal shading, is an appearance condition in which carpet pile yarns shift and stabilize in opposing directions after installation. When pile orientation changes, light reflects differently from yarn tips and sides, creating visible light and dark areas across the carpet surface. These shaded areas commonly form irregular, wavering interface lines that may resemble water stains even though no moisture is present. Pooling is a directional shading phenomenon and is considered a subset of carpet shading behavior. The condition affects reflectance only and does not involve fiber damage, backing failure, or structural loss of integrity. See also Shading, Pile Reversal, 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)
