Fix It for a Fraction Of Replacement Cost

Rug Repairs We Handle

Every rug repair starts with an inspection during our free pickup. We photograph the damage, assess the rug's construction and give you an exact quote before any work begins. No surprises.

Fringe Repair and Replacement

Fringe isn't decorative trim. On a hand-knotted rug, fringe is the exposed ends of the warp threads — the vertical threads that form the rug's structural backbone. When fringe wears out, it means the edges of your rug are unraveling.

We offer several approaches depending on the rug's value and your preference:

• → Securing: Stitching loose fringe threads to prevent further unraveling. Cheapest option.
• → Shortening: Trimming damaged fringe evenly and securing the new ends. Clean look.
• → Replacement: Removing old fringe and hand-sewing new fringe that matches the original style and color.
• → Removal: Some clients prefer no fringe at all. We fold the warp ends under and secure them with binding.

Cost: $5-15 per linear foot depending on method. A typical 8-foot fringe repair runs $40-120.

Edge Binding and Overcasting

The edges of a rug take the most abuse. Foot traffic, vacuum wheels and furniture legs all catch the edges. On hand-knotted rugs, the side edges (selvage) are wrapped with colored yarn. When that wrapping wears through, the rug starts unraveling from the sides inward.

We rebind edges by hand using wool or cotton yarn that matches the original color. On machine-made rugs, we apply serging — a machine-stitched binding that seals the edge. Both methods stop the unraveling and add years of life.

If you catch edge damage early, it's a $100-200 fix. Wait too long and you lose several rows of knots on each side — that's structural damage that costs more to repair and changes the rug's dimensions.

Hole and Tear Patching

Holes happen. Furniture legs puncture through. Dogs dig at corners. A dropped coal from the fireplace burns through the pile. Tears develop along fold lines when rugs are stored improperly.

For small holes (under 2 inches), we patch from the back with matching material, then re-pile the top surface so the repair blends in. Larger holes or tears may require reweaving — rebuilding the foundation and knotting new pile to match the surrounding pattern.

On machine-made rugs, we can patch up to about 4 inches effectively. Beyond that, the patch becomes visible. On hand-knotted rugs, skilled reweaving can make repairs nearly invisible even on large areas.

Moth and Insect Damage Repair

Clothes moths (Tineola bisselliella) are the number-one enemy of wool and silk rugs. The moths themselves don't eat fiber — their larvae do. A single moth can lay 50-100 eggs. The larvae feed on keratin protein in wool and silk, leaving bald patches and weakened areas.

Signs of moth damage:

• → Bald spots where pile is missing but foundation is intact
• → Small cocoon casings (tiny white tubes) in the pile
• → Loose fiber clumps or sandy debris (larval waste)
• → Damage concentrated under furniture or along baseboards

We treat the entire rug to kill any remaining moths, larvae and eggs before repairing. Then we reweave the damaged areas — matching the pile height, density and color of the original. We also apply moth deterrent treatment before returning the rug.

Color Restoration

Sun fading is gradual. You don't notice it until you move the rug and see the difference between the exposed and covered areas. Color restoration isn't a dye job — it's careful, hand-applied color matching that blends faded sections with the original palette.

We use fiber-reactive dyes that bond permanently to wool and silk. The result looks natural because we build color in layers rather than applying a single coat. Color restoration works best on partially faded areas. If the rug has lost all color in a section, reweaving with correctly dyed yarn may be a better approach.

Reweaving

Reweaving is the most labor-intensive repair. It involves rebuilding the rug's foundation (warp and weft threads) and re-knotting new pile to match the original pattern. Good reweaving is invisible to the casual eye.

We match the original yarn weight, twist direction, color and knot style. On a fine Persian rug with 300 knots per square inch, a 4×4 inch area contains 4,800 individual knots — each tied by hand. That's why reweaving is priced per square inch and why it takes time.

Reweaving makes economic sense when the rug's value justifies the cost. A $200 repair on a $5,000 rug is a no-brainer. A $500 repair on a $300 rug probably isn't.

When to Repair vs Replace

Quick decision framework:

Not sure where your rug falls? We'll inspect it during free pickup and give you an honest recommendation. If repair doesn't make sense, we'll tell you. We'd rather keep your trust than sell a repair that isn't worth it.

Repair Pricing

Every repair is quoted individually after inspection. These ranges give you a ballpark:

We combine repair with cleaning on most jobs — the rug needs to be clean before repair work begins. Cleaning is quoted separately at standard rates.

Preventing Rug Damage

Most rug damage is preventable. A few simple habits save you hundreds in future repairs:

• → Use furniture coasters. Heavy furniture compresses and crushes pile over time. Eventually it punctures through. Coasters distribute the weight and prevent both crush marks and holes.
• → Don't vacuum the fringe. Use a handheld attachment or simply avoid running the vacuum over fringe. Beater bars catch fringe threads and yank them out, accelerating wear by years.
• → Rotate every 6 months. Uneven foot traffic wears paths into rugs. Rotating distributes the wear and doubles the rug's lifespan in high-traffic areas.
• → Check for moths quarterly. Lift furniture edges and check along baseboards. Catching moth activity early means a $50-100 treatment instead of a $500 reweaving job.
• → Keep rugs out of direct sunlight. UV exposure fades dyes and weakens fibers. Close blinds during peak sun hours or use UV-filtering window film.
• → Store properly. Clean first, then roll (don't fold). Wrap in breathable fabric — never plastic, which traps moisture. Add moth deterrent. Store in a climate-controlled space.

Frequently Asked Questions