DIY carpet installation
Described below are the procedures for installing your own carpet.
First, nail in your tack strip around the entire perimeter of the area to be carpeted, except any doorways. Leave a gully between the tack strip and the wall the width of the new carpet’s thickness. Then spread out your underlay with the smooth side up, ensuring it is the right type recommended for the carpet you’re planning to install.
Once you’ve got your underlay down, trim away the carpet’s factory selvage (the edge of a carpet that is woven so that it will not fray or ravel) as recommended by the manufacturer – usually this is about 2 cm from the selvage (if necessary).
Roll out your carpet and let it relax before putting it in place. Before and during installation make sure there is proper ventilation in the area where you’ll be laying your carpet and be sure to keep the area dry.
If you are planning to use hot melt tape to seal the fresh cut seams of your carpet you’ll need to use the carpet stretcher to condition the carpet for the non-stretchy hot melt tape. For tufted carpets you should use either tape and latex, hot melt tape, electric tape or pin tape. For most woven carpets, only hand sewing and pin tape are recommended.
When using the power stretcher follow the manufacturer’s instructions for its use. Only apply the degree of stretch required for the particular carpet type. Then hook the carpet onto the tack strip and trim the excess. When using a wall trimmer be careful to leave enough excess carpet to tuck into the gully and don’t staple your carpet to the tack strip.
Carpeting stairs
If you are installing new carpet to a staircase you should make sure the stair nosing’s are well rounded to prevent unnecessary damage to both your carpet and underlay. For a good fit, cut the underlay about 3 cm narrower than the width of the stairs so you’ll be able to turn the carpeting edge under. You may also need to install tack strip on each step to maintain proper tension in the carpeting.
Attach tack strip on each tread and riser with pins on the steps aiming toward the riser and having the pins of the riser tack strip pointing down toward the tread. The gully you leave between the treads should be a little less than twice your carpet’s thickness.
Then:
- put down your underlay
- use a knee kicker or stair stretcher to install your carpeting
- fit your carpet to the tack strip tightly, pushing it into the gullies between the treads and the risers using a stair tool
- make sure the carpeting lays smoothly over the stairwell’s steps.
When you’re done remove the excess trim and vacuum. You’re now ready to enjoy your new carpet.
More DIY information
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