Reasons for once-lovely wall-to-wall carpeting to ripple across the floor or appear to have tiny lumps can range from improper installation to excess humidity.
Improper Installation
Surveys by rug and carpeting manufacturers reveal that many carpet installers do not employ power stretchers when installing carpet. Improper installation methods almost guarantees carpet rippling. Homeowners should ask questions about the carpet installation method before buying it to avoid problems with rucking later.
Humidity, heat and steam-cleaning
Wall-to-wall carpeting can buckle when it is exposed to excessive humidity and heat. Temperature affects a carpet’s condition. Carpeting often ripples in apartments above a home or another apartment that has little or no air conditioning. Moisture from humidity in the latex of the carpeting causes the fibers to bunch up. Steam-cleaning carpets can cause wrinkling, too, for this same reason.
Improper Padding
Improperly installed carpet padding, especially padding that is too thick, creates buckling. Asking questions about the installation of padding before buying carpeting can help avoid this issue.
Aging
Buckling occurs over time when carpeting stretches because of regular foot traffic and vacuuming. Every carpet reaches an age when it must be replaced. New carpeting becomes a better solution than restretching it after years of foot traffic and vacuuming. High-traffic areas will remain prone to buckling. In addition, dragging large furniture or other items over improperly installed carpeting will cause wrinkling.