Top 6 Tips to Help You Install a Carpet Without Help
Prepare the Installation Space
Regardless of the type of floor you want to install the carpet, be it cement, wood or linoleum, always start by checking if the floor is in excellent condition. If you find any damage, make the necessary arrangements and get it fixed. Avoid working on a floor that is not in good condition. The debris and dirt beneath may eventually damage not only the padding but also the carpet.
In addition to that, remove any doors around your working space by the hinges to make your work easier. It is much faster to work without doors than with them still standing.
Always Start by Cleaning Up
It is imperative that you ensure the area you are going to install the carpet on is clean and dry. It should be free from any debris or dust. By doing so, you will avoid lumps and wrinkles on the carpet when you lay it. On top of that, your house will not smell damp or appear to be dusty afterwards.
If you had a recent paint job, clean out any paint that may be on the floor completely. Depending on the type of floor, you may consider scrapping or using a paint stripper. Always put on your protective gear when dealing with chemical compounds.
Acquire All the Necessary Tools
To ensure a smooth sailing whenever you install a carpet, you need to have several tools with you. Some you may opt to purchase. Others you can easily rent out from your local hardware store. Some of these tools include a wall trimmer, a hand stapler, a knee kicker, work gloves, safety glasses, measuring tape, tackless strips, a seam cutter, a knife, seam tape, a power stretcher and a stair tool. Having the tools alone is not enough. You need to know how to utilize them. You do not want to cause injury yourself or spoil your carpet even before you install it.
Fitting the Padding
Before you think of the padding, place the tack strips all around the house walls on the floor registers leaving out the front of the door openings. The tacks should lean facing the wall. If your floor is of cement, you can use a mason glue to hold the strips down.
Next, you can start working on the padding from one wall to another. Always ensure that the padding remains straight without huddling. For floors made with cement, it is advisable to use a strong adhesive that can hold the padding to the floor. Once you finish padding, cut out any extra padding material that extends above the tack strips. Do not leave out the floor register openings.
Laying the Carpet
When you lay the carpet, always make sure that you leave out an extra three to four inches along the sides of the carpet. Moreover, you should as well have several inches of the rug partly covering the tack strips.
Using the knee stretcher, start by holding the carpet firmly to the tack strip on one side of the wall. Afterwards, use the power stretcher to stretch the rug from the closed end as you attach the carpet onto the tack strips of the opposite end. Use the knee kicker and the stair tool to connect the corners since the power stretcher cannot reach these areas.
Trimming and Clean Up
After finishing, use the stair tool to press the excess carpet into space under the baseboard. Trim the extra mat on the doorway before making a door edge strip. Do not forget to unblock the vent openings. Once you are through with the installation, vacuum your carpet to get rid of any dirt as well as to help in maintaining it. Afterwards, you can re-install your doors.
You do not need to waste your money by getting a professional to fit your carpet. With the right tools and the above information, carpeting your house could never be more comfortable.