What Is Dry Rot In An Antique Rug

These fibers can slowly degrade over time.

What is dry rot in an antique rug.

2 make sure the rug is completely dry. A rug that sits on a damp floor perhaps in a basement will tend to absorb moisture over time and degrade the fibers with mildew. Only when you are absolutely sure that it is dry roll it like tube and wrap it in paper that is specially created for this purpose. Often if a rug has been exposed to water and not properly dried it can take on dry rot which deteriorates the fibers.

This lengthy slow but relentless deterioration and weakening of the fibers leads to eventual damage that can be seen as rips tears slits or other structural damage in the fabric carpet or rug. Odors resulting from the slow drying of rugs and wet carpet can result in microbial growth which may effect the health of occupants susceptible to asthma triggers. Never wrap a rug in plastic as that can create condensation resulting in mildew. The rug will become very stiff and is no longer flexible a condition called dry rot the rug can t be folded or rolled without cracking the foundation which you can sometimes see or hear.

Dry rot in a rug is the deterioration of the foundation fibers usually cotton but sometimes wool jute or silk. That is why it is important to wash your oriental rugs by professionals. Dry rot is a condition that can occur in older textiles and furnishings especially those with a cellulosic fiber such as cotton flax linen jute and similar fibers can slowly degrade over time. If an area on a rug is stiff and cracks when you slowly bend it or sounds like wood when you knock on it then dry rot has already set in.

Dry rot damage is a condition that can occur in older textiles and furnishings especially those with cellulosic plant or plant based fiber such as cotton flax linen jute and similar fibers. Dry rot occurs when a fabric is exposed to moisture and doesn t dry completely or when it has been stored in a humid environment. Delaying the proper drying of your valuable oriental rugs can result in staining rippling dye bleeding dry rot microbial growth and odor concerns causing permanent damage. In the extreme it is a total lack of structural integrity and to a rug this means it can simply fall apart.

Sometimes years or decades. You will know your carpet has been subject to dry rot if it has become hard brittle and susceptible to cracking. Microscopic mold and mildew spores drift in the air and when moisture conditions are right they settle into the fabric and grow. This paper is chemical and ink free so there are minimum chances of damaging the rug.