You might need to install a carpet in your home because of various reasons. The carpet you are currently using might have worn out after being used for some time. You might also need to redecorate your home so that you can have a better-looking carpet. Regardless of the reason, you need to install it properly. Here is how to install carpet in the right manner.
First Step
The first thing you need to do is to remove the already existing carpet from the room. To remove the carpet you can start by vacuuming it so that you do not breathe the fine dust that might be on the carpet. If the carpet is worn out you can use a utility knife to cut it into strips so that you can have an easier time removing it. You should start removing the carpet from one end where you should remove it from the tackless strips and then roll it until it is in a position where you can remove it easily.
Second Step
After removing the carpet you should then ensure that the floor is properly cleaned. This includes repairing any minor damages that might be on the floor. This mainly depends on the materials used to make your floor. The cleaning should also involve removing the tackles strips that were being used with the old carpet. After you have cleaned the room you will have an easier time taking measurements of the room.
Third Step
The third step of installing the carpet is putting new tackles strips all around the perimeter of the room. You should install the strips about half an inch from the wall as they face the wall. The only space you should leave without the strips is in front of the doorway.
The third step of installing the carpet is putting new tackles strips all around the perimeter of the room. You should install the strips about half an inch from the wall as they face the wall. The only space you should leave without the strips is in front of the doorway.
Fourth Step
The fourth step should be to lay the underlay which should be laid in strips. The strips should not overlap each other and the underlay should be on the inner side of the tackless strips. If there are bigger underlay strips you should trim them to ensure that all the tackless strips are visible. You should then staple the underlay to ensure it is firmly on the floor.
Fifth Step
After laying the underlay you should then get the carpet into the room. It is advisable not to install the carpet immediately you get it into the room. This is because a change in temperature from where it was stored to the room where it is to be installed can make it shrink or expand. It is advisable to leave the carpet in the room for about six hours so that it can adapt to the temperatures of the room.
Sixth Step
When you are sure that the carpet has adapted to the temperatures of the room you should then proceed to lay it on the floor. On the edge of the carpet, you should leave about four to six edges of the carpet overlapping the wall. You should then trim the carpet in a way that it will fit perfectly by the wall.
Seventh Step
In case the carpet is in pieces, you should ensure that the pieces fit properly against each other so that no space will be left in between and the pieces will not overlap. You can leave the pieces overlapping by about four inches and then cut the excess part so that the pieces can fit perfectly. After ensuring that the pieces fit properly you should use seaming tape on the lower side of where the pieces meet with the adhesive part being up. You can use a seaming iron to activate the adhesive and then carefully place the edges of the pieces.
Eighth Step
After rolling the carpet all over the room you should then proceed to attach it. You can use a knee kicker to ensure the carpet is perfectly hooked on the tackless strips. The knee kicker is usually padded on one side and as a result, you can use your knee to stretch the carpet and attach it to the tackless strips. You can also use a carpet stretcher which is longer than the knee kicker. You should ensure that all the around the room the carpet is attached to the tackless strips.
Final Step
After you are sure that the carpet has been properly installed you can then put back the things such as furniture that were initially in the room. You can also cut the areas that need to be cut such as vent openings. Therefore, through following the outlined guidelines on how to install carpet you can be able to effectively and perfectly install a carpet.