Page 9 - TFSWinter2020

rep, we can expect “excellence” even though we cannot
expect perfection. How can you make this imperfect pattern
excellent? How can you shine as an excellent mechanic?

In the production of patterned carpet, be aware that the mill
has tolerances and expects you to have the knowledge and
tools to make near perfect pattern matches out of carpet
that doesn’t match or line up. Allow for more time. This is
not a tweed broadloom or carpet tile. Correcting acceptable
bowing, skewing and elongation is part of your job. Each cut
of carpet will likely ingrain a rhythm in your mind something
like: “measure, glue, snap a line, stretch, nail.”

people are important in patterned carpet installation, but
you, the installer are the most important. We need more of
you.

Project Managers, clients or end users, mill reps and their
production people are also critical players in successful
pattern carpet installation. Whether it’s a casino lobby
or halls and suites in a government building, your
communication with the Project Manager concerning
seam location, focal points, access, and client expectations
are crucial. In our Judiciary building project, there were
moments when the installer shined. Other times, the Project
Manager being available after hours shined. The mill rep Production of pattern carpet can sometimes mean unusual
shined repeatedly throughout, advocating and interpreting things. How about bow, skew, elongation of pattern beyond
to production people what the installer was seeing. At the tolerances or industry standards? Dye lot change and surface
end of the day though, it is the client who shines when texture deviation are production and quality issues. How
they express gratitude for a job well done and pays their about, as in our Judiciary installation, a computer error that
bill promptly. We all recognize how important the client is. actually produced a mirror image of the pattern from one
Without them, the installer, the Project Manager, the mill rep roll to another! Some pattern issues cannot be corrected
and mill production folks would not have a job. and the project manager and mill rep must become allies
to you, the installer, in finding solutions. I encourage you to
PRODUCTION soak any technical aspects and how-to’s of pattern carpet
The final P in a successful pattern carpet installation is installation, and also take advantage of training opportunities
from our industry’s associations and mills. People, Planning,
Production. The mill produces the patterned carpet. The Production. Success of patterned carpet installation includes
mill has a rep, production people and technical people. As how-to, but also so much more.
an installer, you may not have direct communication with
those involved in production, but what you see on the job
with your pattern carpet having been produced may or may
not surprise you. Are you surprised by bowing (the arcing About the Author: Jim grew up in sales and management of his
of the pattern from left to right across the width of the father’s retail flooring business, launching the Commercial Division in
carpet)? Are you surprised by skewing (pattern running off at 1991 and spinning off the retail business in 2014. Jim earned his CIM
an angle)? Are you surprised by pattern elongation (pattern from FCICA, CFI Technical from WFCA’s CFI and was awarded SBA’s
a bit longer or shorter than on other cuts of carpet)? Just Emerging Leaders from the Philadelphia region in 2019. Jim also
like us as people, patterned carpet is never “perfect”. But loves to kayak and do rail to trail biking with Joy, his wife, business
just like a professional installer, project manager, or mill and life partner of 43 years.

Flooring Specialist Winter 2020 9