How to Lay Carpet Pad

It may be a bit messy but laying down carpet padding is pretty simple to do. All you need is the right tools and, of course, a little patience.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Measuring tape
• Utility knife or large clothing shears
• Sharpie marker
• Carpet padding glue
• Carpet padding

1. You can prep the floor. Be it wood concrete or some other surface, it must be clean clean clean. Sweep and then mop. And then sweep again. Any dustballs or other trash will affect the adhesion of the padding.

2. Make sure the tackstrip for the carpet has already been installed. Tackstrip is the slender long wooden or metal strips with curved points sticking out of them that grab the carpet and make it set. The tackstrip usually surrounds the entirety of the surface to be carpeted. This is important because you must measure the padding taking into the equation the 2 inches or so the tackstrip will involve.

3. You can measure the padding in square feet. Make sure there will be no gaps. It is important that the padding underlie the carpet completely or else there will be dents, gaps or worse. Measure correctly.

4. Now you can cut the padding to fit. It is advisable to cut a little long. It is better to trim down than to buy more padding because you come up short.

5. You should lay the padding down before you glue it in place. Make trims and adjustments as needed. After the proper fit has been established glue the padding down. Spread the glue in thin circular patterns covering the whole area under the padding. Lay the padding down. Allow at least 24 hours and preferably 48 hours to dry before laying the carpet. Otherwise you may suffer buckles and indentations.