Carpet Installation, It Makes a Difference
Carpet installation doesn't seem like it would be that big of a job, right? Pretty much you just throw it on the floor, trim it up a little, and tuck it under the baseboards, don't you? That would be nice, but no, it's just not that easy.
It can be pretty difficult to get it done if you want it to last for a few years.
After all, wall to wall carpet installation is a pretty big job, one you don't want to have to redo within a few short months.
It's not just like tossing a throw rug on the floor.
When you are first considering doing your own carpet installation, talk to the people who sell it.
They are usually pretty well informed about the tools you will need, and which carpets are going to be best for your needs.
They can also tell you about any additional accessories you are going to have to buy in order to have beautiful carpet for years.
To begin the project, you need to remove the current carpeting and pad.
There are some people who just lay the new carpet over the top, but that traps a lot of dust, odors and possibly stains that can wick through your new carpet, destroying it very quickly.
Take everything off to get to a solid floor.
If you are removing carpet, make sure you take up the old carpet strips, too.
You need to replace those when you put down traditional carpet and pad.
Get the floor good and clean.
Sweep the floor well; mop it, and then vacuum.
Preferably do this after you have removed the baseboards.
One of the easiest carpet installations is one where the pad is actually attached to the carpet.
It saves a lot of time by only having to do the cut once, rather than laying down the rolls of pad, taping them together, and trimming them to fit.
In addition, there is no stretching of the carpet.
Stretching the carpet requires renting a knee kicker and a carpet stretcher, along with a great deal of physical exertion.
Every carpet installation requires tackless strips except for attached pad carpeting.
These are so named because you don't have to use tacks, or nails, to keep the carpet in place, but you do need them to install the strips.
Now, if you are using attached pad carpeting for your carpet installation, you only need to purchase double sided carpet tape.
You simply run this around the perimeter of the room, and then added crosses of tape every few feet throughout the rest of the room.
Bring the carpet into the room and lay it against a solid wall, or allow for a few inches on every side.
Assuming you have on e straight wall, butt the carpet against that wall and roll it out.
Once it is in place, pull it back over itself and remove the top of the carpet tape.
Put the carpet back down, and smooth it out from the center to the edge of the floor.
Do the same with the other side.
Use a hook bill knife to crease the carpet and snug it under the wall.
Use a carpet trimmer to cut the carpet.
Simply reattach the baseboards, and you're done.
Carpet installation of attached pad carpeting is not nearly as time consuming or difficult as traditional carpet and pad installation, but it is a lot of time on your knees.
Additionally, if you're measurements aren't accurate, it's much easier to get into trouble.
If, for any reason, you aren't sure you can do the job right, or maybe you just don't want to take the time, hire a professional.
The professional carpet installers can do the carpet installation quickly and perfectly without your having to worry about finding the time or if your knees are going to take the abuse.
It can be pretty difficult to get it done if you want it to last for a few years.
After all, wall to wall carpet installation is a pretty big job, one you don't want to have to redo within a few short months.
It's not just like tossing a throw rug on the floor.
When you are first considering doing your own carpet installation, talk to the people who sell it.
They are usually pretty well informed about the tools you will need, and which carpets are going to be best for your needs.
They can also tell you about any additional accessories you are going to have to buy in order to have beautiful carpet for years.
To begin the project, you need to remove the current carpeting and pad.
There are some people who just lay the new carpet over the top, but that traps a lot of dust, odors and possibly stains that can wick through your new carpet, destroying it very quickly.
Take everything off to get to a solid floor.
If you are removing carpet, make sure you take up the old carpet strips, too.
You need to replace those when you put down traditional carpet and pad.
Get the floor good and clean.
Sweep the floor well; mop it, and then vacuum.
Preferably do this after you have removed the baseboards.
One of the easiest carpet installations is one where the pad is actually attached to the carpet.
It saves a lot of time by only having to do the cut once, rather than laying down the rolls of pad, taping them together, and trimming them to fit.
In addition, there is no stretching of the carpet.
Stretching the carpet requires renting a knee kicker and a carpet stretcher, along with a great deal of physical exertion.
Every carpet installation requires tackless strips except for attached pad carpeting.
These are so named because you don't have to use tacks, or nails, to keep the carpet in place, but you do need them to install the strips.
Now, if you are using attached pad carpeting for your carpet installation, you only need to purchase double sided carpet tape.
You simply run this around the perimeter of the room, and then added crosses of tape every few feet throughout the rest of the room.
Bring the carpet into the room and lay it against a solid wall, or allow for a few inches on every side.
Assuming you have on e straight wall, butt the carpet against that wall and roll it out.
Once it is in place, pull it back over itself and remove the top of the carpet tape.
Put the carpet back down, and smooth it out from the center to the edge of the floor.
Do the same with the other side.
Use a hook bill knife to crease the carpet and snug it under the wall.
Use a carpet trimmer to cut the carpet.
Simply reattach the baseboards, and you're done.
Carpet installation of attached pad carpeting is not nearly as time consuming or difficult as traditional carpet and pad installation, but it is a lot of time on your knees.
Additionally, if you're measurements aren't accurate, it's much easier to get into trouble.
If, for any reason, you aren't sure you can do the job right, or maybe you just don't want to take the time, hire a professional.
The professional carpet installers can do the carpet installation quickly and perfectly without your having to worry about finding the time or if your knees are going to take the abuse.
