Installing carpet is not like hanging tropical wall art decor or home art decor, where just a hammer and nails will do the trick. To stretch carpet the professional way, you need to use the tools that professionals use. You might already own many of the tools that are required in order to stretch carpet, while you may need to purchase, borrow or rent some of them. You can always rent expensive professional tools that you need only on this occasion, such as an automated carpet stretcher, from your community home improvement store or DIY shop. For an expert finish requires that you use the appropriate tools and that you use those tools appropriately.
Materials
To stretch carpeting, you will need the following: a vacuum cleaner, knee pads, installed tack strips, knee kicker carpet installation tool, carpet stretcher, utility knife or wall trimmer, stair tool, and metal doorway strips.
Size of carpet
Before you begin, be certain that the carpeting is the appropriate size for the space where you wish to install it; this means that the carpeting should cover the whole area with at least an excess of an inch of carpet along the borders or walls of the space to be safe. Roll out the carpet over the floor, covering the entire perimeter.
Using the knee kicker tool
Put on the knee pads to protect your knees as you will be exerting a lot of force and pressure on them when using the knee kicker. If you have a knee problem, it is not advisable to do this on your own. Begin in a corner section of the room, securing the corner of the carpeting to a tack strip. The toothed end of the knee kicker tool should be positioned in front of the tack strip about three inches from the wall. To drive the carpet forward, drive your knee on the padded end of the knee kicker tool. This should firmly attach the carpet to the teeth of the tack strip. Tug at it with care to make certain that the carpet is indeed securely attached to the tack strips.
Using the carpet stretcher
To install the opposite side of the carpeting, you will need to use the automated carpet stretcher. One end of the carpet stretcher should be placed against the wall where the carpet was attached with the knee kicker. The teeth of the stretcher should be placed about six inches from the wall right across from the carpet section that has already been attached. To reach across the floor, adjust the extension tubes as needed. Once the stretcher is properly positioned, activate the lever to push and stretch the carpet over the tack strips on the opposite side. Using the knee kicker, attach another section of the carpet and then use the carpet stretcher to attach the opposite end. Once all sections are attached, you are ready to trim the carpet.
Trimming the carpet
Using a wall trimmer or utility knife, trim the excess carpet. Unsightly remains can be tucked behind the tack strip using a stair tool hidden by a baseboard trim. To secure the carpet on doorways, install metal strips. Once done, clean up the area with a vacuum cleaner and admire your professionally stretched carpet.
Read another article about fitting wallpaper into contemporary decor.
