Persian Rug Repair & Restoration
Persian Rug
Repairing Persian rugs is important to keep them looking great and holding their value. This job can be a very delicate operation, however, and only someone who is qualified and experienced should be used to do the repairs. The types of damage that can happen to Persian rugs over time can include water damage, insect and moth damage, pets chewing and scratching causing damage, damage from your vaccuum cleaner, damage that is caused by chemicals, sun damage from exposure to bright sun light, uneven wear, and curled edges. The options that are available for repairing Persian rugs depends on the types and extent of the damages.
Water can cause some serious damage to the wool pile, the cotton warp or weft, or other materials used, like silk. Repairing Persian rugs that have this type of damage requires extra care, and only a professional antique Persian rug repair artisan should be used for this job. Persian rugs are all hand crafted, so repairs should only be made by hand, a machine should never be used on antique rugs for any repairs or cleaning. Moth and insect damage can be expensive to repair, especially if a large area needs to be re-woven. This is also a repair job that should only be done by experts, otherwise more damage can be done, and the Persian rug may end up ruined.
It is important to do your research before repairing Persian rugs, and talk to a couple of qualified experts in Persian rug repair. Sometimes the cost of repairs is more than the actual value of the Persian rug, because repair costs can run into thousands of dollars. If this is the case, it does not make sense financially to repair it. However, some Persian rugs have been in families for generations and may have great sentimental value. In these cases, the repairs are usually paid for to keep the rug.
Sometimes there is a less expensive method of repairing Persian rugs, and this is to cut them down and make them smaller. This process does not incur the expense of reweaving large areas of the Persian rug and can be done if the damage is located along the outer edges of the rug. However, this method of repairing Persian rugs will not work if the damage is near the center of the rug. This method will lower the market value of the rug, because an expert rug artisan will be able to detect it.
It can be quite expensive repairing Persian rugs, so it is easier to prevent damage in the first place. Do not place a Persian rug in a spot that receives direct sun light for an extended period of time, as this may cause fading and sun damage. Always keep your rug dry. If it gets wet, dry it out completely before using it again. Turn your Persian rug completely over at least once every couple of years to even out wear and fading. By protecting your Persian rug, you will prevent expensive repairs and common damage to it.
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4 Responses to “Persian Rug Repair & Restoration”
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August 13th, 2009 8:15 pm
Really nice post about persian rug repair & restoration. I was looking for such post. Thanks for the posting.
August 14th, 2009 4:23 pm
You offer some great advice on repairs and restorations. There are two other components of rug care that should not be overlooked. Proper cleaning and an accurate appraisal of value. When it comes to cleaning, especially with older more fragile pieces, you should always consult an expert. The most common mistake in the cleaning of an area rug is not to rinse it properly. Any residue left in the rug will attract dirt and weaken the fibers. A professional either uses a very low residue pure soap or rinses the rug thoroughly. Also, it is important to dry the rug quickly and thoroughly. This can be done in the sun or in in-plant with commercial drying equipment. Allowing the rug to stay damp for a prolonged period invites trouble including mildew, color bleeding and even rotting.
A Comprehensive and acurate appraisal of value or your Oriental and high Value Rugs is also very important. This comes into play in the case of a loss- damage or theft- as well as in the event of inheritance or donation of the rug. My advice is simple. The value of Fine Rugs has been greatly impacted by fashion and economic conditions over thwe past several years. Seek out a Certified Rug Appraiser (CRA) who knows the current market value of Rugs. Do not rely on a generalist to place the valuation. A Certified Rug Appraiser can also advise you on the proper way to care for your rugs. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.
September 1st, 2009 12:31 am
Not all techniques are the same in cleaning persian rugs. I wouldn’t want someone to fix my new handcrafted Tabriz rug in the same way as a machine made Pakistani rug!
March 6th, 2011 11:00 pm
I agree with the comment made by Tabriz Rug. For that reason whenever we have a rug that’s damaged by fire or water we hand it over to a specialist and let them handle the rug.