Handmade Rug Repair since 1881.
Specialist repair for hand-knotted, hand-tufted, hand-hooked, and hand-loomed rugs. Each construction gets its own technique. Free pick-up across five metros.
Repairing handmade rugs continuously since 1881.
Repair craft passed down four generations of the same family.
Listed by the Oriental Rug Buyers Guide as one of the country's top rug authorities.
Accredited member of the Better Business Bureau, Memphis chapter.
"Handmade" is an umbrella term covering several genuinely different rug constructions — hand-knotted, hand-tufted, hand-hooked, and hand-loomed. Each is made by human hands rather than machines, but each uses fundamentally different techniques, and each requires fundamentally different repair methods. The biggest mistake in handmade rug repair is treating all four as equivalent. Adhesive on a hand-knotted rug is destructive. Traditional reweaving on a hand-tufted rug doesn't address its actual structural problem (the failed latex backing). Knot-based repair on a hand-loomed flat-weave doesn't make sense at all.
Fred Remmers Rug Cleaners has been repairing handmade rugs since 1881. Four generations of family training. The first step in any handmade rug repair is identifying exactly what we're working on — turning the rug over, examining the back, and confirming the construction method. From there, we apply the technique appropriate for that specific construction: hand reweaving for hand-knotted oriental rugs, backing repair and adhesive work for hand-tufted designer pieces, matched-yarn hooking for hand-hooked rugs, and weave reconstruction for hand-loomed flat-weaves.
The most common handmade rug repair we perform is on hand-tufted designer pieces — Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, RH, West Elm, and similar designer-label rugs. The latex adhesive backing on these rugs degrades over time (especially with over-saturation from improper cleaning), and shedding starts when the pile is no longer firmly attached. We can reapply matched adhesive and reattach pile in many cases, restoring the rug for a fraction of replacement cost. For hand-knotted rugs, traditional hand reweaving applies the same techniques used for centuries; for flat-weaves and hooked rugs, weave or loop reconstruction with matched materials produces near-invisible repair.
Different construction, different repair.
Each handmade construction uses its own techniques — and each requires different repair methods.
Hand-knotted reweaving
Each knot tied individually, matched to the rug's original knot type (Persian asymmetric or Turkish symmetric). Used for oriental rugs from every weaving tradition. The most labor-intensive but invisible-result method.
Hand-tufted backing repair
Modern hand-tufted rugs use latex adhesive between pile and backing. When that fails, pile sheds. We reapply matched adhesive and reattach pile, or rebuild the backing for valuable pieces.
Hand-tufted designer label work
Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, RH, West Elm — common designer-label hand-tufted rugs we repair regularly. We know the typical construction patterns and common failure modes.
Hand-hooked repair
Loops of yarn pulled through a backing fabric. Repair involves hooking matched yarn into damaged areas, replacing missing loops, securing edges that have unraveled. Very different technique from knotting.
Flat-weave reconstruction
Kilim, dhurrie, and soumak weaves are hand-loomed without pile. Repair involves rebuilding the weave structure using matched fiber — a different skill set from knot-based or hooked repair.
Hand-braided repair
Long strips of fabric or wool braided and hand-stitched into shape. Stitching can fail with age; we re-stitch using traditional methods to preserve the rug's character.
Construction-specific repair, step by step.
1. Construction identification
Examine the back of the rug, identify exactly which handmade construction we're working on. This single step decides everything that follows.
2. Damage assessment & estimate
Document damage, identify all repair needs, write a detailed estimate with options when appropriate. Honest pricing up front.
3. Material matching
Source matched wool, yarn, or backing materials. Hand-dye when needed. Source matched adhesive for hand-tufted backing repair.
4. Construction-specific repair
Knotting for hand-knotted, adhesive and pile work for hand-tufted, hooking for hand-hooked, weaving for flat-weaves. Each technique appropriate for the construction.
5. Edge & finishing work
Selvage, overcasting, fringe, or border work using techniques appropriate for the construction. Final integration with surrounding rug.
6. Final inspection & clean
Final inspection by a senior craftsperson. Most repairs are paired with construction-appropriate cleaning to integrate the new work with the existing rug.
Handmade rug repair across 5 metros.
Hand reweaving and restoration for handmade rugs in every market we serve. Free pick-up, free delivery.
Frequently asked questions.
How is repair different for hand-knotted vs. hand-tufted rugs?
My designer hand-tufted rug is shedding. Can it be repaired?
Can you repair hand-hooked or hand-loomed flat-weaves?
How do I know what type of handmade construction my rug is?
How much does handmade rug repair cost?
Available across five metros.
Free pick-up and delivery in every city we serve. Tap a city for local details and your nearest phone number.