How to Lay your own Carpets: A Fuss Free Method!

Laying your own carpets isn’t as difficult as you may imagine. Many people are put off by the fact that carpets are not only heavy to move but very expensive, one mistake and there’s no going back! But if you follow instructions very carefully then there’s no need to assume that carpet laying is only a job which professionals can tackle. Before you begin the task of laying your own carpet, take a look at the tools which you will need.

• Sharp knife such as a Stanley Knife
• Chalk
• Tape measure
• Knee pads

The first thing you will need to tackle is the removal of the old carpet. Many people do this by cutting it into strips before pulling it up. Take the door off the hinges first and then begin cutting your strips. Roll the strips up as you go along so that they are easier to dispose of. If your underlay is in good condition you can retain this, but in most cases if the carpet is worn out then the underlay will be too. Leave any existing tackstrips in place and ensure that the floor is clean and dry before moving on to the next stage.

Laying Underlay

Your underlay should be laid in strips right up to the tackstrips, and then trimmed with a sharp knife. Next you should use duct tape to seal the edges of the underlay and ensure a tight fit.

Laying Carpet

Installing your carpet will be the next stage and to begin, you should make sure that you have a piece which overlaps the edge of the floor by around 6 inches. To cut the carpet you should measure the room at the longest point and then add on the 6 inches. Mark the carpet on the reverse with the added measurement; do this on both edges and then join the marks with a chalk line. Be sure to get this line very straight, using a straight edge to help. Once you have marked the line, fold the carpet back on itself and cut along the line with a Stanley Knife, again making use of your straight edge to ensure that your cut is perfect. You can place some old board or thick card underneath your working area to protect your underlay.

As you continue to fit the carpet along the room, remember that any cuts you make are permanent and that as you cut along the skirting boards, your cuts should be slightly angled towards yourself and not away from yourself. This ensures a tidy finish with the “nap” of the carpet lying correctly and towards the wall or skirting boards.

Fitting carpet is a precise job which, although daunting at first, is actually not that complicated and only needs a steady hand and a little bravery! Prepare your carpet and your room well and you’re sure to make a success of the task. It’s a good idea to have an extra person around to help out and to provide a second pair of hands and eyes. Two people checking if a line is straight are far more reliable than one.