Installing A New Carpet

There are many tutorials with step-by-step instructions online, if you are interested in installing carpeting. If you are more comfortable with having someone tell you how it is done, many home improvement stores offer workshops for the novice. Take advantage of these and sign up.

When you are researching either online or in a workshop, take notes on the tools you will need and try to get some hands on experience before you commit to doing your own carpet. Become acquainted with the tools of the trade, some that you will buy and others you will need to rent.

Tools to buy: Tackless strips, safety glasses and kneepads, stapler, hammer, utility knife, measuring tape, chalk line, and work gloves.

Tools to rent: Seam roller, strip cutter, knee kicker, seaming iron, power stretcher, seam cutter, wall trimmer, seam tape.

Measure your room and begin to make a budget that includes the cost of the rental equipment, the tools, the carpet and the pad. Once you have a good idea of what it will cost to buy the materials on your own, you can figure out whether you really want to install the carpet on your own, or if a contractor can offer you a good deal.

If you think you might be getting in over your head, then call three contractors and ask for an estimate. At the very least, you will know how much money you have saved even if you decide to do the job yourself.

Pulling up old carpeting is actually pretty easy. You will also have to pull up all the old tackless strips. You will want to replace the old carpet pad, if it is worn down. You will want to clear the area of all dirt and debris before you even think about laying new carpet. You want to make sure the subfloor is in good shape and nothing is sticking out.

You should have all your materials on-hand so that you don’t have to stop in the middle of the job to get something you need. You should have, by now, research how to do the job and gotten some hands-on experience either on a small project or in a home improvement workshop class. You should be familiar with the tools and know how to use them safely.

You will have to put down new tackless strips and lay down the carpet pad. You will want to make sure these are secure and in place correctly. You will then have to lay out the carpet. Obviously, this is the part that requires some skill. You want to be able to match the seams and cut the carpet correctly. This is why you went to the workshops and why you need a little experience before you start. If you do not get this, the job will look unprofessional and you will not be happy with the results. However, it is not difficult to get the hang of laying carpet once you understand how it is done. You will want to attach the carpet along the edges and stretch it make it look flat. Do a little excess trimming and tucking and you are done.