Archive for Carpet repairs

St. Louis Carpet Repair Experts Explain the Dangers of Torn Carpet

“OUCH!” That’s the sound of your guest tripping over a tear or unsecured edge in your carpet. You may not realize it, but carpet damages like this act as an environmental hazard that can contribute to falls. When you think of hazards on the ground, you may consider wet floors, exposed wires and dangerous debris that may cause you to slip or trip. However, damaged carpeting can pose a number of threats to visitors if not properly treated. Sams is here to help you rethink these dangers, and provide the fix you need to help ensure a safe environment.

Why Torn Carpets are a Major Hazard?

Torn carpets create an uneven area on the ground. Although guests may not notice the snagged areas, there are chances a foot could get caught in the seams, resulting in a fall and potential injuries. We at Sams Carpet Cleaning & Repairs always stress the importance of carpet preventative maintenance so that further unexpected situations like tripping on the carpet, doesn’t happen and that no one gets hurt. Safety first, everyone!

What Causes Torn Carpet?

It doesn’t take much for carpet to unravel at your residence or place of business. There are a few things that contribute to the tearing process:

Pet Damage

You thinking about locking Fluffy and Fido in the bedroom again? Yes, you want your four-legged friends to settle down when the company arrive, but leaving them locked in a room may lead your pet to digging their way out of there. The clawing at your carpet isn’t the only thing that will cause ripples on your floors. Let’s just say, the other thing is nasty and will lead to the destruction of your floor’s padding. Not only will pet urine stink, the deposit will weaken the carpet and eventually separate it.

Vacuuming

Vacuuming is an essential part of proper maintenance, right? You want to practice vacuuming your carpet in high traffic areas regularly, but when doing so, make sure you pay attention to the material on the floor. Running a vacuum over a softer surface can create snags on your carpet and rip out fibers. Fibers are subject to wear and tear, one of the most common causes of torn carpet, and the vacuum help remove them when it’s not treated properly.

Poor Installation

Poor maintenance and lack of attention contributes to the destruction of your floor. If your carpet wasn’t properly installed, expect subtle changes to appear, such as rips and tears, if objects are dragged over the surface. This will potentially lead to additional holes in different section and cause ripples in the carpet. It’s important for the carpet installer to powerstretch the carpet tight for best performance!

Humidity

Humidity is one of the biggest issues of carpet buckling and causing more damage to your carpet. Missouri is known for our humid weather. Due to the constant change of seasons in Missouri and high humid climate, the moisture in the air penetrates the carpet and causes it to expand. Carpet may lay flat again without needing to do a repair once the moisture levels in the air return back to normal. If not, this will cause further damage to carpet if not repaired right away and will tear.

Delamination

Delamination is caused when the secondary back of the carpet separates from the primary backing that is holding everything together and latex adhesive is breaking down. The carpet is now more movable, can buckle and tear. Much older carpets are more likely to have this happen over time or the carpet is defective. If defective, contact retailor or carpet manufacturer who will likely send an inspector to look at the issue.

What Can You Do to Prevent or Repair a Torn Carpet Situation?

There are a few ways you can remedy your carpet:

Properly installed carpet – Speaking of improper installation, carpet should be placed properly by skilled professionals to ensure that it does not snag, catch or become damaged too soon. Sure, your first inclination may be to fix it yourself or replace it, but that’s what we’re here for! For some people, they’d rather repair the carpet then to have the high cost to replace it.

Regularly inspect your carpet – As a homeowner or business owner, walk throughout the premises to check for potential tears to ensure you get it fixed as soon as possible. At Sams, we will come to your home or business, free of charge, to inspect damaged carpet and determine the best solution to restore your floors.

Call the professionals at Sams – If you notice a tear-in-progress, block off the area to prevent visitors from interacting with it and call us! Sams is the St. Louis area’s premiere carpet repair company. We offer a variety of options to restore and extend the life of your carpet including patching, stretching and re-seaming. When you call us, you are assured that you’ll receive a satisfactory experience from our best trained technicians.

At Sams, it’s not just about fixing carpet, it’s about making your home or business whole again. Invite us in so we can help you preserve the special moments your residence or business offers with the best restoration process we have to offer.

 

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How to Repair Carpet Damaged By Pets

Americans love their pets. Pet ownership is reported to be at an all-time high, thanks to pandemic lockdowns and social distancing measures. According to the 2019-2020 National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association (APPA), sixty-seven percent of U.S. households report owning a pet. Chances are, if you have a furry, or four-legged, or exotic family member in your household you’ve also dealt with carpet damage caused by that cute companion. Whether it’s Fido, your sneaky kitty, or a well-trained rabbit, carpet damage is common when you add a beloved pet to your home.

How Carpet Damage Happens

Carpet damage by pets is almost always accidental. Sometimes your beloved pet simply can’t survive without a potty break for the amount of time you’re away. Sometimes curiosity gets the best of them and accidents happen. Regardless of the cause, universal laws seems to dictate that no matter the balance of hard flooring to carpet in your home, your pet is going to find your carpet or area rugs when accidents and messes happen. Carpet damage caused by pets is often frustrating especially when you find the problem sometimes hours after it has occurred. Regardless of the source or cause of your pet’s accident, time is of the essence when addressing the damage to your carpet.

Removing Pet Stains from Carpet

If your pet urinates on your carpet, area rugs, or upholstery, it’s important to assess whether the urine is only on the surface of your carpet or if it has sunk below the carpet into the pad and subfloor. Be very cautious when using carpet cleaners and spray-on stain and odor removers available at supermarket and hardware stores. These remedies may help but also can make the stains and odors permanent. Before you proceed with any carpet cleaning product, test a small area first to ensure it will not stain or damage your carpet.

Some pets take time to unlearn a bad habit and tend to return to the same spot to urinate or mark their territory repeatedly. If this occurs, it can be difficult to remove the source of the odor your pet senses without professional cleaning.

As long as your furry friend can smell the odor of their urine, they will consider the soiled area an approved area to relieve themselves. You’ll continue to clean to no avail, because most products available to consumers cannot resolve deep odors caused by repeat urine soaking. In fact, repeat cleaning without removing the odor can make the problem worse. Our team uses special tools to assess where actual staining and damage has occurred. It is possible the underside of the carpet, the pad, and the subfloor require cleaning and resealing to not only repair the damage but finally stop it from reoccurring.

Does your pet have a favorite “spot” to sit or lay in your home? If it’s on carpet or furniture, you’ve likely noticed stains caused by oil from their fur and skin. The Sams team uses specially formulated cleaning solutions to remove these stains and has accumulated an impressive track record of success.

Before and after photos of carpet damaged with pet hair and oils

 

 Repairing Carpet and Upholstery Damage by Pets

Most pet owners accept the frustration of carpet, area rugs, and upholstery damage caused by their beloved pets. It’s sometimes simply the price of experiencing the love and companionship offered by animals. However, pet ownership doesn’t have to signal the end of clean carpets, area rugs, and upholstery in your home. Owning a pet doesn’t mean keeping replacement funds in preparation for the impending damage to your home. Carpet, area rugs, and upholstery damage by pets can be assessed and most likely repaired by the trusted team at Sams Carpet Cleaning and Repairs.

Not all pet damage to carpet is caused by stains and spills. Sometimes, your pet causes damage to your carpet such as holes, tearing and bunching, and discoloration over time. Your favorite part of coming home to your pet’s dancing and zooming can cause carpet damage that may appear permanent. The Sams team can assess and recommend repairs that will have your carpet looking great, no matter how many celebratory laps it has supported. Sams can patch, re-seam, stretch, repair and replace trim, repair and replace thresholds, and even dye your carpet to match its original color.

Before and after repair photos of carpet damaged by pets

 

Professional Cleaning Brings Pet Damaged Carpet Back to Life

There are many effective solutions for cleaning your carpet, area rugs, and upholstery available on the market. Do it yourself cleaning solutions can be used cautiously when accidents are caught quickly and have not soaked all the way through the carpet pad or subfloor. In addition to removing stains and damage, the odors left behind by pet damage to carpet must be addressed as well.

Pet owners trust the professionals at Sams Carpet Cleaning and Repairs to evaluate and remove the stain and odor in most cases. Protect your investment and preserve the quality of your home for everyone who lives there, including your four-legged family members. Sams is your solution to repair carpet damage caused by pets.

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Can Berber Carpet be Repaired?

Once primarily a fixture in basements, rec rooms, and offices, in recent years Berber carpet has become a popular choice for rooms in every area of the house. As its popularity has risen, Berber carpet is now offered in more colors and styles than ever before. It’s typically more affordable than other residential carpet styles and offers a greater durability due to its looped fiber construction. People who prefer a lower profile carpet are turning to Berber as a great alternative.

One of the disadvantages of Berber carpet is that its loop construction makes it a little more susceptible to snags. Furniture dragging across the floor, curious cats kneading their claws in the carpet or pulling on a loose loop can all spell the beginning to an unraveling mess. Even the power head of your vacuum cleaner can cause problems if it catches a loose strand of Berber.

So if you’ve found yourself in a snag (pun intended) with your Berber carpet, your first question is likely “Can I repair my Berber carpet, or does it need to be replaced?” The short answer is “Yes,” in most situations Berber carpet can be repaired. The carpet pros at Sams have the experience and expertise to pull it off.

Damaged Berber Carpet is Not a Time for DIY

As you examine the run in your Berber carpet, you’re probably wondering if this is something you need to call a professional for, or if you could knock this project out on your own.

As DIYers ourselves, we appreciate the initiative and confidence. But repairing Berber carpet isn’t as simple as you might think. Because of the way Berber carpet unfurls, it needs to be handled delicately. The pros at Sams have literally seen it all and have hands-on experience patching, fixing runs, and stretching loose Berber carpet. To prevent further damage, we recommend clients call us before trying to tackle the project on their own and unintentionally creating a bigger problem.

What Should You Expect from Berber Carpet Repair?

Often when repairing Berber carpeting for clients, we utilize scraps or leftover carpet from the original installation. If the homeowner doesn’t have leftover carpet, we can often take some up from a less noticeable area, like the back of a closet.

Because the carpet runs in rows and carpet can fade with sun exposure or foot traffic, even the best Berber carpet repair can sometimes leave visible evidence of repair, especially on larger repair jobs. But the Sams team has developed all sorts of strategies over the years for minimizing the visibility of carpet repairs. We’re always upfront with our customers about what to expect from the finished product, based on the extent of the damage and the condition of the carpet. In most cases, they’re willing to sacrifice some minor visible repair if it means they don’t have to make a major investment in new carpet.

Sams Has You Covered for Berber Carpet Repair

Your first call in the St. Louis region for Berber carpet repair is the carpet professionals at Sams. From cleaning to repair, the Sams team is this area’s experts in carpet care. We offer free inspection on carpet repairs, so you can make an informed decision. We perform repair services for virtually all types of carpet. We can fix ripples, seams that are separating, carpet pulling away from a threshold, sun fade and bleach stains, burn holes, frayed edges, snags, and a whole lot more. Before you replace your damaged carpet, you owe it to yourself to see what the Sams team can do!  Contact us today to schedule your free inspection.

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Employee Spotlight: Greg Sutter

We look forward to our employee spotlights all month long, it’s a great way for us to get to know our employees on a deeper level and share them with you! There’s more to Sams than just our yellow vans, we have employees who are like our family, and we love to share them with you. This month we sat down with Greg Sutter, a Senior Technician Specialist with Sams for our latest employee spotlight. Lets dive into our conversation!

 

Q: How long have you been at Sams, and what do you do?
A: I started at Sams in 2002, so I’m coming up on 16 years! I am now a Senior Technician Specialist, but I of course started out as a Technician.

Q: How did you find out about the job?
A: Well of course this was before the time of online postings, so I saw the job in the Suburban Journal. Back in the day, this is how we had to search for jobs, we had to open the newspaper! I thought it looked interesting and after meeting the team I thought it would be a great fit, and years later, I’m happy I opened the paper, before print media was dead!

Q: So what exactly do you do as a Senior Technician Specialist? What do you do on a day to day basis?
A: I work on all of our specialty repairs, from carpet repairs, carpet cleaning to tile and grout. Every day is a little different, I’m never doing the same thing!

Q: What is it about the Sams experience that is different?
A: We do a lot of follow ups with our clients and touch base to make sure they’re happy at all times. If they’re not 100% satisfied, we will come back and fix it, no questions asked, because our customers happiness is what matters. It’s important for us to go above and beyond for our customers. We build relationships with our customers, it’s not a onetime transaction. Training is also huge here, meaning our guys have the skills and knowledge to tackle any project. Early in my career at Sams, I took two classes at Jon Don, one on flooding and the other on spot dye. This training and the hands on experience in the field with carpet repair got me to where I am today. It gives me so much pride and a sense of accomplishment to know that I have the skills to do the job, but that I can do the job well and efficiently.

Q: You’ve been at Sams for almost 16 years! What is it like to work here?
A:
It’s SUPER fast paced, which is honestly wonderful. You can’t get bored and I’m constantly on the move from one job to the other. It’s not the kind of job where you’re sitting at a desk looking at the clock counting down the hours. I get to meet people every day and build relationships, I love that aspect of the job. We have a great team here and we’ve become friends. Some of us guys even had a hockey team for awhile that Sams sponsored and got us jerseys! We had a lot of fun and it’s great to work with people you actually want to spend time with!

Q: Do you have any memorable experiences from over the years at Sams?
A:
Oh yes, the most shocking would be when a guy had a loaded shotgun in his living room that went off and shot a hole through the ceiling to his bedroom upstairs! He quickly managed to repair the hole in the wall but needed to get the carpet repaired before his wife got home. We came in and repaired the carpet and got out of there before she made it home.

 

Q: When you’re not busy at work, what do you do for fun?
A:
I love spending time with my wife, Victoria, and our two daughters (12 years old and newly 1 year old). I coach my daughter’s soccer team and I love being outside and playing sports. I also play soccer in a 21+ league, I can’t keep up with the young guys anymore but I love getting out there and playing. I also enjoy shopping with my wife. With 2 little girls at home, I’m always running them around and staying busy.

 

A big thank you to Greg for taking time of his busy day to talk with us! He’s been a key player in our Sams family for many years and we are grateful for him and his dedication. Check back next month for our next employee spotlight!

 

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Employee Spotlight: Dejuan Evil

The exciting day is here, the one that we’ve been waiting for all month long… our latest employee spotlight! We love taking take the time to talk with one of our wonderful employees each month, learn more about them and their thoughts on working for Sams Carpet Cleaning and Repairs. This month, we sat down with Dejuan, one of our Account Executives, and you can’t help but love the guy. So without any further ado, lets meet Dejuan!

Q: How long have you been at Sams and how did you get your start?

A: I’ve been here for 3 years, and you can actually blame Chris Scoles for me being here! I’ve been friends with Chris for 24 years and he’s actually the one who told me Sams was hiring! I had been to a few Sams events and gatherings prior and knew a few of the employees, so I knew it was somewhere I would like to work. Chris had always spoken highly about the company and culture, so it felt like a natural fit. To say I’m happy that Chris told me about the job would be an understatement.

Q: What exactly do you do as an Account Executive?

A: I wear several hats, I go out and give estimates on projects, from residential to commercial, and I also work with a lot of the apartments and commercial clients. My job is a bit of a mix between marketing, new business and sales. It’s nice to not be trapped behind a desk, I’m able to get out of the office, meet people and see projects firsthand.

One of my favorite parts of the job is that I have the opportunity to meet people and network. As a people person, I love getting out there and seeing the people I get to talk to on the phone.

Q: What is it about the Sams experience that is different or enticing?

A: I would have to say it’s our quality of work and the skills and years of experience of our technicians. Many of our technicians have been here for over a decade, they understand what it takes and have pride in the quality of their work. Our repairs are outstanding and our customers are happy, which is exactly what we want! We also have wonderful customer service, they go above and beyond for our customers.

The culture at Sams for employees is awesome. We all get along and have fun, it’s something I haven’t seen at other places I’ve worked. We’re all friends and are there for each other, you have to love the atmosphere.

Q: Do you have any memorable experiences from over the years at Sams?

A: It’s hard to pinpoint just one… my favorite thing is seeing the looks on a customer’s face when they’re happy and surprised that their carpet looks new. Part of my job is following up with clients, so hearing their joy and excitement is the best. On a none work related note, my favorite memory would have to be Susan’s surprise 50th birthday party! I was the DJ and Bartender for the big event and it was hilarious and so great to see Susan cut loose and have fun with her family and friends.

Q: What do you do for fun outside of work?

A: Well, I have 2 daughters, one is a freshman in high school and the other is in 5th grade. I coach their basketball and soccer teams, which I absolutely love, and I also play basketball myself. Now that my girls are getting older, I am in this new, unchartered territory of BOYS. My oldest daughter was on the homecoming court this year, and that was new, exciting, and terrifying.

We hope you enjoyed our conversation with Dejuan! He is an outgoing, funny and caring guy who we are incredibly lucky to have as part of the Sams family. Check back next month to see who will be our NEXT employee spotlight!

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Employee Spotlight: Chris Scoles

Chris Scoles is our Operations Manager/Account Executive here at Sams Carpet Cleaning and Repairs, and to say that he is a busy guy is an understatement. Just tracking him down for this conversation meant he had to sit still for a couple minutes! We’re excited to introduce you to Chris, an integral cog in the Sams machine. Now, without any further ado, join us for our get-to-know-you conversation with Chris!

Q: How long have you been at Sams and how did you get your start at Sams?

A: I used to drive by the Sams building everyday on my way to work and had a friend who worked there as a technician. I told him if they were ever hiring to let me know because I was looking for a change. In July of 2001 he gave me a call that they were hiring and the rest is history!

Q: 16 years later, what exactly do you do at Sams?

A: I started as a field technician, I spent several months training and cleaning customer’s carpets, flooring and air ducts. Over time, I moved up, started learning other parts of the job and became a team leader. Fast forward a couple more years and I am now the Operations Manager!

Q: What exactly does an Operations Manager position entail?

A: I’m in charge of the team, I get them ready to go each day and prep them on the jobs assigned. I take care of the everyday tasks, training new employees, maintenance on the machines and vehicles. I’m also the Account Executive for several of our larger apartments and I’m constantly out in the field giving estimates. I’m constantly moving around and if you’re looking for me, it changes from day to day where you’ll find me!

Q: Why did you choose Sams?

A: Sams treats their employees very well. There is a mutual respect between the bosses and the employees and we have built a great core of technicians. If anyone has a question, you know you can turn to another employee who has been there for many years who would have the answer. Our customer service is awesome and we really care for our customers. I also love the freedom I have here, I get to travel around the city and I’m constantly busy, which I love.

Q: What’s the Sams difference?

A: I would have to say our training program. We would never send a new employee out in the field until they are fully trained and ready, it might be 6-8months before they’re in a house cleaning. We train our technicians about the SCIENCE behind carpet cleaning and repair and we ensure every technician masters the skills before sending them out. We also use high quality machines and equipment that are only available at Sams.

Q: Do you have any memorable experiences at Sams, maybe celebrity run ins or encounters?

A: I have cleaned several Rams players houses including Adam Timmerman, Orlando Pace and of course like Dennis mentioned, we cleaned Nelly’s house in Lake St. Louis on several occasions. We also regularly clean Nelly’s producer’s house, which it’s nice to see big talent in St. Louis!

Q: When you’re not at work, where can we find you?

A: That’s easy, on the golf course. I’m an avid golfer and if I can find the time, you will certainly find me at one of the golf courses in town.

Q: What is your proudest accomplishment over your many years at Sams?

A: That’s hard for me to say, I don’t want to sound like I’m tooting my own horn. Mainly I think it’s overseeing the training of our technicians and ensuring that they are on top of their game. I know our technicians have the skills and training that far exceeds others. Our technicians are talented, supportive and have years of experience that is beyond valuable. I’m proud of these guys and know they’re out in the field doing the best work possible.

So there you have it, now you know our beloved Operations Manager, Chris! A big thank you to Chris for taking a few minutes out of his always hectic day for this conversation! Be sure to check back next month for our NEXT Employee Spotlight!

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