Ripples can occur throughout the life of a carpet. ripples are small waves that usually appear sometime after the carpet is installed. They can happen in a localized area or throughout the entire room. Installer error is the most common cause. Though ripples can also develop from excessive rolling traffic, improper carpet cushion, delamination of the primary and secondary backings and even some manufacturing defects.

To avoid ripples carpet should be installed using a power stretcheer. Too often installer save time by using a knee-kicker. This results in inadequate stretch and the potential for ripples to develop as the carpet relaxes.

Ripples also occur to carpet that is not properly acclimated to the environment prior to installation, especially if the carpet is installed in cold weather. A carpet needs to acclimate to normal room temperature and humidty for at least 48 hours before installation.

Wrinkles are usually seen in new carpet immediately after installation. Carpet wrinkles are areas where the carpet has been folded or crushed during storage. Wrinkles not only affect the surface yarns, they go all the way through the carpet backing and may be permanant.

Occasionally, carpet will develop ripples immediately after cleaning. This can be quite disturbing to both the homowner and the cleaner. The cause is moisture absorption into the adhesive layer between the primary and secondary backings of the carpet. Even though the ripples appear after cleaning, the root cause is improper stretch of the carpet during installation. Usually, once the carpet dries completely and acclimates to the normal temperature and humidity of the home the carpet will lie flat again. This can take up to 48 hours.