Persian rugs are robust works of art that, even when worn, can be restored to their former glory.
The old adage 'a stitch in time saves nine' can be no more accurate than when speaking of handmade rugs.
A minor repair can save a rug from a magnitude of work down the line.
Frayed edges or worn fringes are often the first signs of wear on a rug and taking preventative steps can considerably add to the lifespan of your investment.
Persian and Oriental rugs can last for generations and are often valuable and treasured family heirlooms, lovingly passed from one generation to the next, father to son, mother to daughter.
Their structure and foundation make them robust but if small areas of wear and tear are left untreated the damage can spread.
The fringe of a rug for example is the most common area of a rug to be damaged.
This weak-spot, where the rugs' foundation is exposed, where general use and vacuuming can cause damage means that it is often the first part of a rug to become loose or unwind.
Securing the fringes is a fairly small repair in what can happen if they become loose; where the knots and pile of the rug can start to unravel.
This creates more severe damage where the only option is to re-weave sections of the rug or, if it is not thought worth it, to cut the damaged area and secure the fringes further up the rug, often losing a section of the border in the process.
The selvages or binding of the rug (along the sides) can also start to unravel in places.
Again, if this is not dealt with the structure of the rug can become damaged.
Fixing the sides of a rug is another fairly simple process for a skilled rug repair specialist.
It is this preventative care which will enhance the life-span of your investment as well as keeping it in as original condition as possible.
Low pile or small holes can develop in a rug due to general wear and tear; this can be repaired although the repaired section is never likely to be an exact match to the rest of the rug.
Worn areas are to be expected in older rugs which are in use.
Even with low-pile a hand-knotted rug could easily last another few decades and still look great in its place.
Sometimes damage is so severe that the only option is to send the rug back to its place of origin to be re-knotted in the affected areas.
This is an expensive option, re-weaving a rug costs more than weaving it in the first place as the skill involved in removing the affected areas, matching existing patterns, knots and colours requires a weaver of the highest skill and experience.
This is an option which would only be recommended for the most expensive rugs, old pieces in otherwise good condition or articles which hold great sentimental value.
The key advice when dealing with Persian or Oriental rugs is to fix any minor areas of damage before they spread, becoming extremely difficult, and expensive, to repair.