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Processes in nature follow cycles, each stage contributing to the general balance of things. With this in mind, our company has devised a process to reverse your rug’s deterioration and protect it from future damage.
Over time, rugs can become damaged or loose with years of use or the occasional accident. We always restore rugs to their original condition using different weaving techniques. We also alter rugs by cutting them down to resize or customize them for a fresh look. When we start a repair project, the first step is to consult with our customers on their expectations and budget. We then present a few options that we can agree on.
We have many examples of what the result will look like so that our customers can choose the right option.
Some of our most common repairs are listed below:
The fringe on a rug is often an extension of the foundation. When the rug is complete, the strings at the ends are finished in different ways depending on where the rug was made. Some have knots, braids, or can have no fringe and have yarn wrapped around the end. The fringe is one of the most common repairs that we take on. They are often damaged by vacuuming or just come loose over years of wear and tear. Our job is to complement the rug so that it looks good but can also come home and take on traffic for many years to come.
In most rugs, the side chords are formed by two or more threads that run the length of the rug. They are usually wrapped with an extra thread binding the sides. The yarn acts as an exterior guard to the rug protecting the foundation and pile. If left unrepaired, the cords may break away from the rug, leave the pile unprotected, and the knots will fall out.
Damage to the pile can be caused by moth and continuous traffic on one part of the rug resulting in wear. Moth damage will likely eat only the pile and leave a bare spot showing the foundation. If the foundation is wool, the moths can eat through the pile and the foundation leaving a hole. Repiling is when the foundation is in good condition, and we just weave in new knots to create the pile.
Holes or tears can result from various situations, such as moth damage, wear, sharp objects, etc. Holes may have started as small slits and, if left unrepaired, will get larger. Any hole or tear should be repaired as soon as possible; the sooner the repair is carried out, the less expensive the job and the more successful the final result.
Kilims, Navajo, and Soumaks are more delicate, lightweight floor covering that is flat woven. These rugs can be damaged easily with excessive vacuuming or traffic. They can be easy to repair but challenging to resize. We often repair the sides and ends but do full restorations on the more antique rugs. This usually comes down to the investment that our customers would like to put into the rug itself.
We work with several designers who frequently purchase the perfect rug in a larger size and then cut it to the desired size. An excellent example would be a 10’ x 14’ rug cut down to 10’ x 10’. Most rugs do not come in these sizes and can take several months to have made with a lot of additional costs. We can also customize rugs to fit around a fireplace or odd-shaped rooms.
Most times that a rug comes in for repair the value has already changed depending on the severity. By catching damage right away and having it repaired immediately reduces the amount of work that needs to be performed maintaining the value of your rug.
Excessive vacuuming can be too aggressive, most times it is caused by the rotation of the brushes on the vacuum not the suction. All rugs act as a filter catching the dust that floats around in your home, which is a good thing. Vacuuming and regular maintenance of your rug helps remove the dust and dirt improving the air quality of your home. Sand which can over time leave small abrasions on the pile reducing its life time will also be removed keeping your rug looking better for a longer period of time.
In most cases vacuuming the fringe on your rug will damage the fringe, it is the most common reason why rugs come into our shop for repair. When vacuuming the fringe the vacuum should be used as a tool, only going in one direction pulling it over the fringe. For more tips give us a call!
This is mostly a matter of preference. We recommend that a rug is repaired not based on its value but because you want to continue to use it for a longer period of time. If you don’t have an attachment or would prefer to have a different rug than purchasing a new one may be a good idea. The sooner that a rug comes in for repair the less money you will need to spend on repairs.
Machine made rugs can be repaired by machines and we have solutions for that option. Hand woven rugs should not be done by a machine because as the needle from the machine is stitching it most times it is cutting through the foundation and will cause more damage. Also machines can only perform one size stitch and do not have a lot of flexibility. When we repair rugs by hand we can match the stitching to the rug gently, this allows us to match the size, color and texture with a lot more precision.
There are many different options for repairs therefore the time can fluctuate. In most cases we can complete a variety of repairs in 2-3 weeks. If you have specific time that you need the rug back we can make a special arrangement to meet your deadline. Full restoration projects take much longer and are discussed with you during our review of the project.
