How to Use a Mini Carpet Stretcher

Installing carpet yourself can save you a lot of money, but each carpet comes with its own specifications on how it should be installed. A carpet stretcher is a must-have when installing carpet to reduce the chance of lumps and wrinkles. It is absolutely necessary when using tackless strip. Before you get to work using a mini carpet stretcher, you will need to read the stretching instructions specific to your type of carpet.

Things You'll Need

• Mini carpet stretcher
• Extension tubes
• Carpet stretching instructions specific to your carpet

Instructions

Setting up the Carpet Stretcher

1. Place the head of the stretcher, the part with the pins, at the specified distance (found in the stretching instructions for your carpet) from the wall. The handle should be facing the wall and the head of the stretcher should be at a slight angle to the wall.

2. Attach extension tubes to the mini carpet stretcher until the end of the handle touches the wall.

3. Lengthen the tail block until it touches the end of the wall.

4. Adjust the pin-depth gauge, generally using a dial at the top of the head, until the pins go into the carpet. Do not make them so long that they go through the backing of the carpet.

5. Press down on the stretcher handle.

6. Repeat these steps using the general stretching rules outlined in "Stretching the Carpet."

Stretching the Carpet

1. Name the corners of your room. Corner A is your starting point. Corner B is across from corner A on the shorter wall. Corner C is on the longer wall across from corner A. Corner D is the one that remains. See References for a diagram.

2. Stretch corner A. Starting approximately 2 feet from the corner, set up the stretcher 4 inches from the wall. Stretch the carpet every 8 inches until you get to the corner. Repeat on the other side of the corner.

3. Stretch corner C following the same 8-inch pattern you used with corner A.

4. Stretch along the wall between corner A to corner C. Set up the stretcher approximately 8 in. from the wall.

5. Set up the stretcher to stretch from 2 feet above corner A all the way to corner B.

6. Perform another long stretch from 2 feet from corner B to corner D.

7. Stretch the carpet along the wall from corner B to corner D, and then along the wall from corner D to corner C, setting up the stretcher so it is about 3 feet from the wall.

References

• Hejny Rentals Inc.