Flooring West Auckland - Scott Flooring

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.

The Finishing Touches

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