Can you install your carpet yourself? Read these tips first

While many people leave carpet installation to professionals, it is entirely possible to install them yourself, as long as you know what to do. If you are a home improvement enthusiast there is no reason why you shouldn’t try to do the job yourself to save money. Here are some expert tips to get you started right.

Find the right tools

First off, you’ll need a carpet stretcher that you can buy or rent from tool rental stores. This will stretch the carpet into the correct position and prevent bubbles from spoiling the result. You’ll also need 3-inch carpet pad with a rounded, blunt edge. Knee pads are another bonus as you spend a lot of time on your knees! Another piece of equipment you will need is a Hobby or Stanley knife with five new blades. They dull quickly, so you’ll need to replace them often.

Roll out your carpet

First, roll the carpet over your empty space. Cut the rug so that there is an additional 8 inches of size throughout the room. Make sure that each pattern is square around the walls and that you have cut enough overlap through the doors. Now roll up your carpet again.

Put down sheets of paper

You will need double sided tape and some newspaper sheets. If you ever need to pick up your carpet, you will find that the newspaper is preventing the foam pad or pad from snagging on the floor. Secure it with the double-sided tape.

Fix on the carpet gripper

Next, place the gripper around the room. You need a gripper wherever the edge of the carpet is. These come with nails pre-installed. You need to kay it about ½ “from the boundaries of the room or skirting board. Keep the points facing the wall as these will grip the carpet and hold it in place. Put the gripper with the tie strip in your doors through the Room.

Put the mat down

Now place the mat in the carpet gripper. Use double-sided tape for each connection under the gripper.

Roll the carpet again

Next, roll your carpet onto the mat. Again, if your carpet is patterned, make sure it is square to the wall. Slide your rug into one of the corners so your overlap on the rug folds and forms a crease against the baseboard. Use the back edge of your Stanley knife to press the crease into the joint.

Cut the carpet

Focus on a length of 600mm from the corner of the room. Turn the knife blade over. Cut along the crease until you reach the corner of the room. Cut vertically upwards, leaving the 600 mm edge on the carpet gripper. Press down until the carpet bites your nails. Repeat along the entire remaining edge of the rug in the same corner. One corner of your carpet is now close to the molding. It is held in place with the gripper.

Assemble the carpet

Use your knee kicker and hold your teeth tight enough to bite your carpet. Work on one of the carpet edges, cutting to the baseboard as you work. Before cutting, use the blade to push the carpet backwards into the gap between the skirting board and the gripper. When you have finished an edge, go back to the corner where you started and work on the next wall.

Tighten the carpet

When you’ve cut all of the carpet into position, use your knee kicker again to make sure the carpet is securely attached to all of the threshold strips and baseboards.

Finish the job

Finally, use your carpet padding and tap the carpet between the back edge of the grab bars and your baseboard. The result is a very neat finish and a professional look to your room.

While it may sound difficult, practice makes perfect, and if you have the right equipment to do the job, you will find that installing a rug isn’t as difficult as you can imagine. Here are tips on choosing the right tools for your DIY projects online so you can get your job done to the best possible standards.