Carpet installation might seem like a difficult task, but with suitable tools, preparation and careful execution, one can achieve professional-looking results. In this article, we will go through the step-by-step process of installing carpet.
See also: How to clean carpet at home?
Carpet installation: Steps to follow
Measure the room and gather materials
Begin by determining the length and width of the room. Then, multiply each value by two to four inches. Multiply these amounts to find the square footage of the room. If the space isn’t rectangular, divide it into sections and repeat the process. Attempt to maintain each section of the room as close to a perfect rectangle as possible.
Once one has the total square footage, add 10-20% to ensure that you have enough carpet and underlay to cover the room as well as enough to allow for mistakes in measuring or cutting. When installing patterned carpet, purchase 5% more material to allow for pattern matching between parts. It is time to collect the tools for the job after having sized the room and chosen the carpet. If the subfloor is concrete or wood, then you will need a few extra supplies.
Carpet installation tools
- Clingy stripes
- Staple gun (for installing wood subfloors only)
- The kitchen knife
- The stairwell tool
- Chalk line
- Duct tape
- Seaming tape
- Braces for the knees
- Knee stomping
- Powerful stretcher
- A rolling pin or a carpet roller
- Board for ironing
- Tape measure
Prepare the room
The existing floor must be adequately prepared before you begin laying the carpet. If you are replacing existing flooring, you must first remove the old floor.
You should also remove the baseboards to ensure that the new carpet is flat with the walls. Scrape or sand away any residue from old adhesive once the flooring has been uncovered.
Before continuing, inspect the subfloor for any problems, such as sunken spots, creaking or musty patches. Replacing broken flooring and repairing loose floorboards will take time, but the long-term benefits will be worth the effort. Check for dampness or damage to the floor while putting carpet over concrete. Any cracks should be repaired and levelled using waterproof filler.
If the carpet will span two rooms, consider pulling doors off their hooks so one can work comfortably on the floor. Then, sweep below completely to ensure that no debris is trapped below the new carpet.
Source: Pinterest (Nikki Repass)
Install tack strip
Regardless of the type of flooring one has, one must lay carpet tack strips along every wall, excluding entryways and doorways. Make sure there is at least a half-inch of space between each strip and the wall and that there are no gaps between them. The tacks must be angled towards the wall to hold the carpet firmly.
The proper approach to putting carpet tack strips varies by floor. When put on wood, the strip is simply nailed down. However, installing tack strips on concrete is a little different. Use construction glue to attach the strip to the ground and masonry nails to secure it in place.
Install carpet underlay
A padded underlay ensures the floor is more comfortable to walk on while also preventing washing and bunching. Lay the underlay sections parallel to the direction you intend to lay your carpet.
When putting carpet over concrete, use a synthetic fibre underlay. The chilly concrete floor may cause moisture on the carpet’s underside. Synthetic underlays will keep moisture from reaching the carpet.
The underlay should butt up against, but not overlap, the tack strips. Instead of using a staple gun, lay out a few beads of carpet adhesive when installing carpet underlay over concrete. Then, using duct tape, seal the gaps between the pieces of underlay.
Cut and lay the carpet
Before placing the carpet in the room, cut each strip to size, but leave an extra six inch on all sides to allow for trimming. If you cut it too short, then you’ll waste the entire strip.
Begin by pulling the carpet strip against one wall and working your way across the room to the opposing wall. When one gets to the far end of the room, draw a chalk line where the carpet meets the wall and use a utility knife to cut away the excess. When laying the next piece of carpet, ensure that the pile direction of the new piece matches the pile direction of the previous one.
Lay the next strip in the same manner, slightly overlapping the two strips, then cut through both layers of carpet at the same time. In this manner, regardless of any flaws in the cut, both parts will fit properly.
Line up the seaming tape under the carpet with the adhesive side up, covering the gap between portions to seal the seams between two pieces of carpet. To activate the adhesive and attach the strips, use a steaming iron. Make sure it irons over the tape rather than the carpet. To finish the seam, use a carpet roller or rolling pin to press the carpet pieces together.
Source: Pinterest (rugsandcarpets.about.com)
Stretch the carpet
Stretch the carpet once it has been laid using the knee kicker. Place the toothed end of the kicker about three inches away from the wall, starting in the centre of any given wall. Then, kick the instrument with the knee to press the carpet into the wall. Wear knee pads to protect yourself from injury.
The carpet will naturally catch on the tack strip since the tacks are angled towards the wall. After the initial kick, move the knee kicker down the wall one foot at a time. Continue in this manner around the room until the carpet is completely stretched.
To guarantee that the carpet is properly stretched in bigger spaces, consider utilising a power stretcher. Place the non-toothed end of the power stretcher against one wall and the toothed end six inch away from the opposing wall to utilise it. Press the activation lever to stretch the carpet firmly over the tack strips.
FAQs
How do you care for newly installed carpets?
Vacuum regularly, address spills promptly and avoid dragging heavy furniture across the carpet to prevent damage.
How long does it typically take to install carpet in a room?
The installation time varies based on room size, complexity, and experience level. It could take anywhere from hours to a day.
What’s the best way to finish the edges of the carpet?
Use a carpet trim or transition strip to neatly finish the edges where the carpet meets other flooring types.
How to stretch the carpet during installation?
Use a knee kicker to hook the carpet onto strips along one edge. Then, use a power stretcher to stretch and attach the opposite edge.
How to deal with seams in the carpet?
Align the carpet’s pattern or texture at the seams, ensuring they are tight and not overlapping. Use a seam roller to secure them.
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