I have carpet which is pretty old and not able to replace at this
time. At a place where 2 pieces butt together, I was told it could not
be seamed, so I bought a track at Lowe's, but it didn't seem to be
very wide and when I put it over the seam and nailed it, I had to hit
the nail so hard to keep the track to the floor, that it actually
looked like a 'wrinkled' piece of metal when I finished.
What did I do wrong? I'm thinking maybe the track was to be used on
linoleoum and not carpet. It seemed the nails were not long enough to
not have to drive the track closer to the carpet and for it to stay.
thanks for any suggestions
Mike

On Mar 29, 8:18*pm, MikeL wrote:
I have carpet which is pretty old and not able to replace at this
time. At a place where 2 pieces butt together, I was told it could not
be seamed, so I bought a track at Lowe's, but it didn't seem to be
very wide and when I put it over the seam and nailed it, I had to hit
the nail so hard to keep the track to the floor, that it actually
looked like a 'wrinkled' piece of metal when I finished.
*What did I do wrong? I'm thinking maybe the track was to be used on
linoleoum and not carpet. It seemed the nails were not long enough to
not have to drive the track closer to the carpet and for it to stay.
thanks for any suggestions
Mike

Sounds like you are way overmatched trying to do the seam splice. Call
on one of your local carpet stores and chat with the staff
technicians. It may cost less than you think to have someone do it
right.

Joe

On Mar 29, 9:18*pm, MikeL wrote:
I have carpet which is pretty old and not able to replace at this
time. At a place where 2 pieces butt together, I was told it could not
be seamed, so I bought a track at Lowe's, but it didn't seem to be
very wide and when I put it over the seam and nailed it, I had to hit
the nail so hard to keep the track to the floor, that it actually
looked like a 'wrinkled' piece of metal when I finished.
*What did I do wrong? I'm thinking maybe the track was to be used on
linoleoum and not carpet. It seemed the nails were not long enough to
not have to drive the track closer to the carpet and for it to stay.
thanks for any suggestions
Mike

Get some longer nails for your strip.

MikeL wrote:
I have carpet which is pretty old and not able to replace at this
time. At a place where 2 pieces butt together, I was told it could not
be seamed, so I bought a track at Lowe's, but it didn't seem to be
very wide and when I put it over the seam and nailed it, I had to hit
the nail so hard to keep the track to the floor, that it actually
looked like a 'wrinkled' piece of metal when I finished.
What did I do wrong? I'm thinking maybe the track was to be used on
linoleoum and not carpet. It seemed the nails were not long enough to
not have to drive the track closer to the carpet and for it to stay.
thanks for any suggestions
Mike

If you look in a sewing dept. you can find some heavy needles in the
shape of a half circle. Carpet is often sewn together with that and
some real heavy thread.

And yes, the piece you bought isn't worth crap. Most of them are far
too soft flimsy aluminum. Maybe a carpet installation company could
supply a stronger one?

jamesgangnc wrote:
On Mar 29, 9:18 pm, MikeL wrote:
I have carpet which is pretty old and not able to replace at this
time. At a place where 2 pieces butt together, I was told it could not
be seamed, so I bought a track at Lowe's, but it didn't seem to be
very wide and when I put it over the seam and nailed it, I had to hit
the nail so hard to keep the track to the floor, that it actually
looked like a 'wrinkled' piece of metal when I finished.
What did I do wrong? I'm thinking maybe the track was to be used on
linoleoum and not carpet. It seemed the nails were not long enough to
not have to drive the track closer to the carpet and for it to stay.
thanks for any suggestions
Mike

Get some longer nails for your strip.

Some tacks and a decorative area rug. Or if there is a real wood floor
under there, rip the carpet up and throw it away. A beat up wood floor
beats worn-out carpet any day, IMHO.

--
aem sends...

On Mon, 29 Mar 2010 18:18:07 -0700 (PDT), MikeL
wrote:

I have carpet which is pretty old and not able to replace at this
time. At a place where 2 pieces butt together, I was told it could not
be seamed, so I bought a track at Lowe's, but it didn't seem to be
very wide and when I put it over the seam and nailed it, I had to hit
the nail so hard to keep the track to the floor, that it actually
looked like a 'wrinkled' piece of metal when I finished.
What did I do wrong? I'm thinking maybe the track was to be used on
linoleoum and not carpet. It seemed the nails were not long enough to
not have to drive the track closer to the carpet and for it to stay.
thanks for any suggestions
Mike

What kind of backing on the carpet? Rubber, jute (sp)??

I've not seen any carpet that cannot be seamed. Is there a tear at the
present seam, is there a pattern to match up? What kind of floor,
wood or concrete? These things matter.

Post a photo some place and post the link here. Even a link for the
metal you used.

I really appreciate everyone's suggestions, thank you very much.

I had a "handyman" say it couldn't be seamed. I had a guy at Lowes say
that if you can hold up the carpet w/ it seamed, you should have
enough to do a new seam....

I'm having a carpet installer company coming to do the repair.

thanks again for all of your help!

ML