Did you know cleaning carpet yourself or hiring some professional cleaners will void your carpet warranty?

Learn from my expensive mistake. I have carpet that cost me close to $4.50 per sf to purchase. It had a 15 year warranty for wear and stains. It had a 10 year warranty for texture retention. I have over $3,000 invested in this carpet. It is all crushed down and flat in less than 5 years. So I make a claim.

Today they send over an independent inspector. They guy has a bunch of credentials from the IICRC. http://iicrc.org/consumers/care/carpet-inspection/ He seemed to know his stuff, but I think this was a set up. He asked if I ever had my carpets cleaned with a rotary machine. Well yes, I use Heaven's Best. I think they do a great job and they come every year.

He tells me this voided the carpet's warranty. It has to be steam cleaned by a certified professional. I didn't know this. It was in the paper work from what he said was a copy of the warranty I was given. I don't know. I can't find my warranty. There it was in sort of small 8 point type it has to be professionally cleaned by a certified steam cleaner.

Was I just scammed? Have you ever made a warranty claim on an expensive carpet? I plan on using my carpet cleaners again in November. Maybe next year get new (different brand) carpet. This carpet is Stainmaster. Thanks.