Carpet Installation Process

We detail the professional process from subfloor prep to power stretching, explaining why skipping this crucial step leads to costly problems. Get a free quote!

A beautiful carpet installation is about more than just unrolling a pad and laying carpet. It’s a precise craft that, when done correctly, ensures your carpet looks flawless, feels comfortable underfoot, and lasts for years..

Before we begin, it's vital to understand the tools. A knee-kicker is a small, handheld tool used for positioning and small adjustments near walls. A power stretcher is a large, two-part pole tool that uses mechanical force to stretch the carpet across the entire room.

• Knee-Kicker Only: Only stretches carpet a few inches from the wall. This is insufficient and will lead to ripples in the center of the room over time. This is a sign of an amateur installation.
• Power Stretcher: Applies immense, even tension across the entire breadth and length of the carpet. This is non-negotiable for a professional, lasting install and is required to maintain the manufacturer's warranty.

1. Furniture Removal & Old Carpet Removal: We begin by ensuring the room is completely empty. We then remove and responsibly dispose of your old carpet and underlay.
2. Subfloor Inspection & Repair: The secret to a long-lasting carpet lies beneath. We meticulously inspect the subfloor (whether concrete or wood). It must be:
   
   • Perfectly Clean: Free of all dust, debris, and old adhesive nails.
   • Perfectly Dry: We check for moisture issues, especially on concrete slabs.
   • Perfectly Smooth and Solid: We hammer down any protruding nails, screw down any squeaky floorboards, and fill any low spots or cracks with a levelling compound. A lump or dip in the subfloor will telegraph through to your new carpet.

1. Accurate Measurement & Seam Planning: We measure the room to calculate the exact amount of carpet needed, including allowances for trimming and pattern matching. If your room requires a seam, we plan its location to be as invisible as possible, typically in a low-traffic area and away from direct light.

The underlay is not just for comfort; it provides insulation, soundproofing, and, crucially, it supports the carpet pile to prevent premature wear.

1. Choosing the Right Underlay: We help you select the correct underlay for your needs. A good quality, dense rubber underlay is ideal for most homes, providing excellent support and durability.
2. Laying and Sealing the Underlay: We roll out the underlay, ensuring it fits snugly against the walls and any obstacles. We use a utility knife for precise cutting. The seams between underlay rolls are sealed with a specific underlay tape. This prevents the underlay from shifting and creating soft spots that can lead to carpet ripples.

This is where the magic happens and where professional skill is paramount.

1. Rolling Out and Trimming: We roll the new carpet over the underlay, ensuring the pile direction is consistent (carpet looks different when viewed from different angles). We roughly trim the carpet, leaving a few extra inches up the wall.
2. The Power Stretch: Step-by-Step
   
   • Step A - Secure the Kicker Plate: One end of the power stretcher (the "tail") is placed against the wall we are stretching from, with a kicker plate protecting the wall.
   • Step B - Engage the Carpet: The head of the stretcher is placed approximately 6 inches from the opposite wall. The teeth of the head are set into the carpet backing.
   • Step C - Apply Tension: The installer pushes the lever on the power stretcher. This action stretches the carpet taut across the entire room, removing any slack. The tension is immense and even—something impossible to achieve with a knee-kicker alone.
   • Step D - Hook and Trim: While the carpet is under full tension, a second installer uses a carpet tucker to hook the stretched carpet over the tackless strips (nailed-down wooden strips with angled pins that grip the carpet backing) on the opposite wall. The excess carpet is then neatly trimmed.

1. Working Around the Room: We repeat this stretching process section by section, working our way around the room, ensuring the carpet is stretched in all directions for a perfectly smooth, taut finish.
2. Creating Seams (if needed): If a seam is required, we use a specialized seam iron and seam tape to bond the two pieces of carpet backing together. A professionally made seam should be virtually invisible to both the eye and the touch.

1. Final Trimming and Tucking: Once the entire carpet is stretched and secured, we use a wall trimmer to make the final precise cut along the baseboards. We then tuck the edges neatly into the gap between the tackless strip and the wall using a wide putty knife, creating a clean, finished look.
2. Installing Transition Strips: At doorways or where the carpet meets another flooring type, we install appropriate transition strips (e.g., threshold bars) to create a safe, neat, and finished edge.
3. Final Inspection & Clean-Up: We conduct a thorough visual and tactile inspection, walking the entire room to ensure there are no loose areas, bumps, or visible seams. We then vacuum the new carpet thoroughly and remove all installation debris. Finally, we walk you through the care and maintenance instructions for your beautiful new floor.

Without Power Stretching (Knee-Kicker Only)With Professional Power StretchingRipples & Wrinkles appear within months as the carpet relaxes, creating tripping hazards and an ugly appearance.A perfectly smooth, taut surface that remains beautiful for the life of the carpet.Premature Wear occurs as ripples cause uneven pressure on carpet fibers, leading to crushing and matting in high-traffic areas.Even wear across the entire surface, protecting your investment and extending the carpet's life.Voided Warranty. Most carpet manufacturers explicitly require professional power-stretching to uphold their product warranty.Your warranty remains intact, giving you peace of mind.Expensive Repairs. Fixing a poorly stretched carpet requires a full re-stretch, meaning moving all the furniture and calling a professional anyway.A one-time, done-right installation that saves you time, money, and frustration.