There are many benefits to installing a rug in your home. First, you can get a super comfortable surface to walk on. Second, you get great soundproofing so that when you watch a movie you will like to remember that you are in the cinema. Third, a carpet also provides insulation and helps make the house warmer. In addition, your choice of carpet could make your home look more aesthetic.
To properly install your carpet, you will need a number of tools. Measuring tool cutting tools all work together to ensure you get the perfect fit. You can then turn to Jeff's quality cleaner when you need to clean your carpet. Let's find out what things you will need to install carpeting in your home.
The tape measure
Before you can install your carpet, you need to determine the total area of the room in which you plan to place the carpet. You will need a tape measure for this. You can measure length and width with the tape measure. Then multiply the length by the width and divide the number by 9. If you do this you will get the quadratic mileage. To ensure the perfect fit, you need accurate measurements. The best tape measure should have a durable and sturdy design. Check the automatic lock as well as a strap holder. The blade of the tape measure should also be sturdy enough and stick out when extended.
Power drill and hammer
When installing your carpet, you will need to remove the doors in the room. That way, you have free space to work around. If the hinges are mounted on the doors with nails, you can pull them out with a hammer. If the hinges are assembled with screws, a drill can help remove them. All you need to do is change the settings so that the drill rotates counterclockwise. Make sure you install the correct drill bit so as not to damage the teeth of the screws. Once you are done with the carpet installation you can use the screws to attach the doors to the hinges.
Tackless strips
Once installed, non-stick strips are used to hold the carpet in place. To hold it in place, tack-free strips have hooks that are angled towards the wall that is attached to the carpet. Staple-free carpet strips are available in different sizes. Make sure you choose the size that works best for your type of carpet. To install the carpet strips, use scissors or a strip cutter to cut them to size. Make sure you place the strips 1½ inches away from the wall. Also, make sure you don't install the tack-free strips over doors and other entrances. This is because the sharp hooks pierce the carpet and could injure someone if they walked into the room.
The carpet underlay
Before installing the carpet, you will need a carpet underlay. This increases the longevity of your carpet. First of all, your carpet is protected from the hard surface underneath so that people cannot crush the carpet fibers. Second, the pad ensures that there is no dye transfer and acts as a buffer between the floor and the carpet. When placing the carpet pad, make sure it is perpendicular to the direction you are laying the carpet. Make sure that the carpet pad does not go over the tack-free strips as these are only for the carpet. Make sure the carpet pad doesn't move under pressure to keep it in place and in the correct position. You can do this by pinning it to the floor with carpet clips.
Utility knife
If the carpet pad is long and goes beyond the tack-free strips, you'll need to cut it to size. To do this, you need a utility knife. Make sure the knife is sharp as the padding can be quite thick. Then feel through the carpet pad with your hand and find the tack-free carpet strip. Then use the utility knife to cut along the inside edge of the carpet strips. This should expose the thumbtacks so that the carpet can be easily placed. You will also need the utility knife to cut the carpet to size.
Power stretcher
With a power stretcher you can stretch the carpet and attach it to the strips. This is a long, handy tool that goes from one end of the room to the other. If you're cutting a larger room in half, the power stretcher can help ensure a flat and even surface. The power stretcher holds one edge of the carpet and extends the other edge. It has a long bar that extends from the head of the stretcher to the opposite wall. To use the power stretcher you must first hook one end of the carpet onto the strips. The head of the stretcher has teeth that go through the fabric and hook into the carpet. Note, however, that the teeth should not go all the way through the back of the carpet. Before stretching the rug, make sure you've created padding for the wall on the other end to avoid damaging it as you stretch it.
The knee kicker
The knee kicker essentially performs the same task as the power stretcher. The knee kicker takes its name from the type of application. You kick the knee with the back of the tool for small, even stretches. Due to its smaller size compared to the stretcher, it is ideal for carpeting in small areas such as hallways or stairs. The knee kicker allows you to work in areas where the power stretcher is just too big to function effectively.
A great magnet
As you install your rug, there is a tendency for you to drop a few nails or sharp objects on the rug that can easily hide between the fabric of the rug and cause injury if you leave them on the rug. A large magnet serves two purposes. First, it acts as a weight to hold the carpet in place during installation. Second, the magnet attracts any metallic objects and nails that might fall on the hard-to-see carpet. After installing the carpet, you can rub the magnet thoroughly over the carpet, making sure you hit every corner and nook.
adhesive
You will need glue to install your carpet. That way you can secure the underlay to the floor and make sure it doesn't move under the carpet. However, the adhesive offers more than just a sticker on the carpet pad. You can also apply it to the edges of the rug to prevent fraying. This ensures that the carpet stays intact and lasts for a long time. In addition, after cutting the carpet, you can apply glue to the edges during installation, as these are the most prone to fraying.
Nails
Nails, which you mainly use on the edges of the walls and carpets, are an important part of installing the carpet as they serve many purposes. One of the main functions of nails is to hold the non-sticky strips to the ground. Note that you need to use nails that are the correct size for the tack-free strip. Another function of nails is to hold the carpet pad in place. Once you've applied glue, you can ensure an even more sturdy fit for the carpet pad by nailing it to the wood floor in specific areas. Nails come in different sizes. So make sure you choose nails that are the right size for your carpet installation.
stapler
A stapler is an alternative tool that you can use to staple the carpet underlay. Note that you don't have to use this tool every time you have nails or glue. However, during times when you are lacking your nails, the stapler can prove to be a highly efficient tool. This is because the carpet pad can be stapled faster than with nails. If you prefer to work fast, especially if you are working with a large room or multiple rooms, a stapler is much more suitable.
Trowel notch
When you apply glue to the carpet pad, you need to press it down evenly for a smooth and even look that can be supported by the trowel notch. This handy tool allows you to push the carpet tape down, resulting in an even application. Without them, you may find that some areas are bumpy where the glue never sticks to the floor. You will also use the trowel notch on the corners to make sure the carpet fits perfectly on the edges. It prevents the carpet from taking on an uncomfortable and incomplete-looking curve when transitioning from the floor to the wall.
Since we are talking about installing the carpet in smaller rooms, those rooms may not require tack-free strips. Sometimes all you need is a good quality adhesive. You apply the glue to the lower part of the carper which you then attach to the wooden floor. You do need a tool, however, to spread the adhesive evenly over the surface of the carpet, and this is where the notched trowel comes in. Make sure you are getting the correct notch trowel for your carpet to ensure an even and successful installation.
The sewing iron
This is different from the iron you use to clean your carpet. The iron is required to join up to two edges of the carpet. Depending on the shape of your room, you may need to make multiple cuts on the rug. The edges need to be joined together, and you can do this with an iron. Create a seam where the carpet edges will connect. Then place a piece of tape right under the seam you created. Turn on the heat of the iron and place it over the tape for 15 seconds to allow the glue to melt. Squeeze the iron together with the tape, then use your other hand to press the seam onto the glue. To keep the rug in place, you can put something heavy on the seam while you give it time to dry.
The carpet cutter
When installing a carpet in a large room. You need a quick and efficient way to cut the edges and make the seams. Sometimes a utility knife can prove to be a nuisance. A carpet cutter is a great tool because it has a blade with two sharp edges that you can use to quickly make clean cuts. One of the main advantages of this tool is that it allows you to work without any load or tires, which allows you to create a high quality installation. This tool is also available in different sizes. Hence, it is important to choose a size that works best for you. Also, the blade is usually at a 30 degree angle for efficient and effortless cuts.
The carpet seam roller
If you are going to join two pieces of the rug, you will need a seam tape as well as the iron. However, this is not enough to create a perfect joinery that is free from bumps and imperfections. You will need a carpet seam roll for this. This will help smooth out the joined edges, making them perfect, making it difficult to see where the join is. When purchasing a carpet seam roller, be sure to choose one that is comfortable on your hands. This ensures that you won't get tired while using it.
Final thoughts
Laying a carpet can be a simple task. After all, all you have to do is spread it on the floor. However, there is much more to it than just making sure the rug fits perfectly and that it doesn't move and is firm and secure. To help you install a rug, the tools listed above are handy and extremely useful. When buying your carpet installation tools, always look for quality and durability.
