Flooring Home Improvement - How to Lay Indoor Carpet

Laying carpet is usually not a job that is recommended for do-it-yourselfers. If you really can't afford a professional, though, here are some tips that will help you do a job that a pro would be proud of - assuming the job isn't too complicated.

Padded and non-padded are the two different types of installations. Pile carpet will be padded, whereas indoor-outdoor carpet will not.

The first thing you'll need to do is prepare the surface by removing any dirt, screws, nails and other debris. Also, check for damage to the floor itself, such as cracked or broken boards or concrete bumps.

Check the weather and try to do your installation during moderate temperatures and low humidity if dealing with indoor carpeting. Avoiding humidity and extreme temperatures is important for proper installation. Carpet and adhesives that are too hot or cold will produce poor results. Your adhesive will also be rendered ineffective if there is too much moisture in the air.

If you're dealing with a high traffic area or an area where pets and children will be sliding around, you may need to use glue. Double sided tape is sufficient for most jobs, but glue should also be used for outdoor areas that are exposed to the weather.

Put down a couple of test rows, without adhesive, after you have measured the area. Try to acquire indoor-outdoor carpeting that comes in squares rather than rolls, as it is easier to work with. Starting in the center, lay out your 'tiles' so that you have at least half a tile around the perimeter of the area.

Place long strips (6ft or more) of double-sided tape around the edges of the room. Next, arrange the tape in a large 'X' shape (6in x 6in crossed strips) over every foot of the entire area of the room. Do not remove the paper from the top side of the tape yet.

Remove the tape from a couple of the 'X''s, beginning in the center. Being careful not to twist them, place the carpet 'tiles' firmly onto the tape.

If using rolls, roll the carpet across a small section of floor. Then lift and remove the tape and press it back down firmly.

You'll need to cut the carpet to fit near the walls. Slide a piece of carpet up against the wall, letting it fold up in the corner. Then, with a piece of chalk and a straightedge, mark the area you need to cut.

Make your cut on the outside of the chalkline using a utility knife. Without causing the carpet to bow upward, you should always make your cut a bit larger than the area you want to cover. This process is quite a bit more forgiving if the carpet will be going underneath molding.

Place the tile firmly by removing the tape or using glue. If you're not shooting for a checkerboard pattern, make sure the fibers run in the same direction.

         

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