DIY Carpeting

Install your own carpet

One way to save money during a home renovation is to install your own carpet. While this isn't a particularly fun job, it is relatively simple if you have patience and the right tools.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Carpet Measuring tape Electrical tape (or thick marker) Drill Drywall screws Tack strip Hammer 5/8-inch nails Carpet cushion (underlay) Staple gun Staples Carpet knife Knee kicker Plastic or wooden paddle

1. Measure the room to determine how much carpet and tack strip you need. Tack strip is a piece of wood with hundreds of small tacks or nails in it that holds the carpet backing firmly in place. You can find this at virtually any hardware or carpeting store. Purchase the carpet and the rest of the materials.

2. Check your baseboard flooring for squeaks. This problem is much easier to solve before you have installed the carpet. Walk around the room and, if you hear a squeak, mark the area under your foot with an "X" in either thick permanent marker or electrical tape. Use your drill to insert drywall screws in the middle of the Xs.

3. Install the tack strip around the perimeter of the room, leaving about 3/8 inch between the strip and the baseboard. Nail the tack strip down, making sure you are putting at least two nails in each piece of tack strip. Make sure you nail down the tack strip around air vents and other obstructions.

4. Lay strips of carpet cushion or underlay neatly over the entire area of the room. Trim it as closely to the outside of the tack strip as you possibly can, making sure not to cover the tack strip with your underlay. Staple the carpet cushion down every couple of feet.

5. Fit the carpet to your room, using a knee kicker tool (available at many hardware stores) to stretch and pull the carpet, making it as tight as possible. As you push the carpet into place with the knee kicker, use a carpet knife to trim along the edge of the room where there is no need for carpet. Be careful not to cut the carpet too short.

6. Use a plastic or wooden paddle to firmly seat the carpet onto the tack strip and under the baseboard.

Tips & Warnings

• Know the width of your room before you purchase carpet for installation. Carpet comes in widths of 12 and 15 feet. If your room requires more than that, the carpet will have to be seamed. In this case, it may be useful to have a professional carpet installer do the job, in order to uphold the manufacturer's warranty. Vacuum your newly installed carpet and get it professionally cleaned for best results.

References

• Tips & Advice - How to Install Carpet