DIY Carpet Squares

Carpet squares come in various textures and colors.

Installing carpet squares yourself is relatively basic, unlike mastering the craft of installing, cutting and stretching carpet. Doing the installation yourself also saves money, as there is no need to pay a carpet installer. Carpet squares come in a variety of textures, colors and designs, with most coming in a standard 1-foot square size. Once the floor's surface is prepared, the installation of the peel-and-stick carpet squares will move along rather quickly. If you can operate a measuring tape and cutting instrument, you can install your own carpet squares.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Floor scraper
• Broom
• Vacuum
• Mop
• Cleaner
• Measuring tape
• Marker
• Chalk box
• Utility knife
• Floor/carpet roller

Instructions

Preparing the Floor

1. Remove existing carpet and padding covering the floor, as well as the baseboards, if required. Start at one corner of the room and pry up an edge of the carpet, pulling it up off the floor.

2. Scrape up any remaining glue or padding stuck to the concrete by using a floor scraper. Rub the scraper across the floor, using the blade to lift up the remaining substances from the concrete until the area is relatively smooth.

3. Sweep up any large pieces of debris and vacuum the floor to remove the remaining dirt, dust and debris. Allowing debris to remain on the floor causes an uneven surface, and the squares will not have a secure hold.

4. Mop the prepped concrete with a degreasing cleaner to remove any oily residue and dirt. The adhesive backing will stick better to a clean, oil-free surface. Allow the floor to dry completely before installing the carpet squares.

Installing the Carpet Squares

1. Find the center of each wall and mark the floor at the center point. Make a chalk line from each wall's center point across the room to the opposite side, ending up with two long lines crossing in the middle of the room. Readjust the chalk line if each quadrant is not equal, if necessary.

2. Start at the center of the room and install the first grouping of four carpet squares, making sure the arrows on the back are pointing in the same direction. Unpeel the back off a square, line the edges up against the chalk lines and press down against the concrete, making sure the edges are snug together. You'll end up with a carpet square installed in each center quadrant.

3. Install the next group of carpet squares, surrounding the ones previously laid. Make sure to line the edges up and butt each square securely against the carpet square next to it. Continue working around the square until you reach the edge of the room.

4. Measure the area from the edge of the wall to the closest carpet square, if cutting the remaining squares is required for them to fit. Mark the back of the carpet square and cut it to size using a utility knife. Stick it in place on the floor and continue measuring and cutting the remaining squares to finish the floor.

5. 

   Using a carpet roller seals the carpet's adhesive backing to the floor.

   Roll the finished floor with a floor/carpet roller to press the squares firmly against the concrete, creating a good seal.

Tips & Warnings

• Find the room's total square feet by multiplying the length times the width.

References

• The Home Depot: Installing Carpet Tiles