Latex is an adhesive material applied by the carpet or rug manufacture
to anchor tufts to the back, give additional weight and to hold the backing
onto the rug.
Latex starts to deteriorate as soon as it is put into service. Similar
to the rotting of automobile tires, elastic bands in garments and rubber
bands. Gases in the air floor waxes, traffic and sunlight cause the break
down.
A complex mixture, latex contains many chemicals affecting both its wearing
properties and cost. Chemicals are added to latex in an effort to retard
this breakdown, but cannot prevent its taking place. Other chemicals are
added to reduce cost. Increased use of this material reduces the adhesive
power of the latex causing an earlier breakdown and therefore a separation
of the backing from the rug.
The more expensive latex compounds will better with stand aging as well
as cleaning. But all rubber will deteriorate. The rate of the deterioration
is influenced by the ingredients of the rubber mixture as well as the
conditions under which it is used. This breakdown will not take place
evenly, but will appear in smaller areas in the form of "bubbles"
or separation. In many cases it is more apparent along the rug edges exposed
to gases in the air.