Repairing Persian Rugs

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.