input, corrections, suggestions etc welcome....


Carpet laying

This is about how to lay a carpet. For more carpet info see [[Carpet]]


=Floor defects=
One of the functions of underlay is to hide floor defects. There are
limits of course, but underlay can hide a 5mm gap.

Carpets laid with no underlay are much less forgiving of floor
defects, and sometimes show up the ripple of every floorboard.
Underlay is the usual recommendation, but there are other usable
materials too, namely hardboard or old carpet.
* Old carpet works but has its issues, and is addressed in the
[[Carpet]] article
* Hardboard can resolve quite rough floors, and blocks smoke ingress
through floorboards in a fire

Concrete floors can have large gaps filled and cracks that change
level smoothed with epoxy mortar.
* Where the cost of epoxy mortar is out of the question, ordinary
cement mortar with lots of pva can be used, but its not very robust
used like this. Brushing PVA onto it after filling the gaps helps.
* Levelling compound is also an option
* anyone tried wall filler?


=Newspaper=
With foam rubber backed carpets, its best to lay down newspaper first
over the areas that don't need to be [[glue]]d. Otherwise in time, the
rubber tends to stick itself to the floor.


=Underlay=
[[image:Underlay 4514-3.jpg|right|200px]]

Ribbed underlay is best laid with the flat side uppermost. The flat
side contains anti-stretching fibres to minimise carpet stretch when
trodden on, helping to prolong carpet life.

Underlay can be fixed in place with a little spray glue, or just left
unfixed, relying on carpet weight & friction. Both methods are used.
When gluing its better to stick it to the carpet above rather than the
floor underneath, it makes removal easier.

See [[Carpet]] re choice of underlays.


=Carpet Fixing methods=

==Gripper rods==
[[image:Grip rod 4413-3.jpg|right|300px]]

When fitting underlay as well, gripper rods are the best option.
* These are only suitable for [[carpet]] plus underlay though.

===How grip rods work===
[[image:Underlay laid upto griprod 4509-3.jpg|300px]]

# Grip rods are fitted all round the floor perimeter, leaving a gap of
about 1/4" between grip rod and walls. The pins point toward the wall,
and the sloping edge goes nearest the wall.
# Underlay is laid out over the floor. It reaches the grip rod, but
doesn't go over the top of it at all.
# Carpet is laid flat, smoothed. There are then 2 ways to fit it to
the grip rods:
## 1. Cut carpet to reach the wall plus half an inch. Whack it into
the gap behind the grip rod using a wide bladed scraper (3-4" blade).
This action pulls the carpet very slightly. Don't cut the carpet at 2
opposite walls before fitting it to the gripper, as fitting it moves
the carpet slightly.
## 2. Cut carpet to meet the wall. Stretch it half an inch with a knee
kicker, and press it into the grip rod gap using a rounded [[knife]].
(The rounded back of a kitchen knife could be used if necessary.)

===Fixing grip rods===
* Grip rods are nailed to wooden floors.
* Grip rods will sometimes [[Nails|nail]] into to concrete floors
* A quick setting [[glue]] may be used on concrete. 5 minute [[Glue|
polyurethane]] is good.

===Re-using grip rods===
Grip rods can usually be reused, but needing to replace some due to
deterioration is normal.
* Check all are firmly fixed
* Check for rusted carpet gripping [[nails]]. If found, replace the
strip
* Check for buildup of muck on the top of the grip rod
* Clear muck out from the gap between grip rod and wall

===Re-using aluminium edging===
The spikes on used ali edging tend to be flattened down, and won't
grip. Either
* replace the edging strip
* spray [[glue]] into the strip and insert the carpet immediately.
* or even re-raise the spikes using a [[scraper]] or very small
[[screwdriver]].


==Tacks==
[[Image:Carpet_tacks_172-4.jpg|right|250px]]

Tacking is cheap, but leaves a slighty wavy edge, and isn't as good at
preventing fray as grip rods. A good option if you're broke.

[[Nails|Tacks]] are only suitable for wooden floors.

# Lay carpet in place, and smooth carpet out to avoid wrinkles
# Cut carpet to walls
# [[Hammer]] tacks in along the edges. Avoid [[Plumbing|pipes]] &
[[Cable|wires]]!


==Glue==
Good option for foam backed carpets

# Lay carpet in place, and smooth carpet out to avoid wrinkles
# Cut carpet to fit
# Peel back carpet edge, spray [[glue]] down and replace carpet. Done.


==Tackifier==
This is similar to glue, but remains permanently peelable. Ideal for
carpet tiles where you want to be able to replace one if it gets
damaged.


==Tape==
For foam backed carpets

# lay tough [[[Tape|double sided carpet tape]] down
# Lay carpet in place, and smooth carpet out to avoid wrinkles
# Cut carpet to fit
# Peel back carpet edge, peel off tape covering strip, replace carpet.
Simples.


==Stair rods==
Stair rods were once used to fix carpet to stairs. However their
failure can cause a serious accident, so using them only as a
secondary decorative method is best.

The [[carpet]] is tacked in place at top and bottom, and a stair rod
is fitted over the top of the carpet to the rear of each step. The
carpet must be narrower than the rod assembly.


==No fixing==
The carpet is just laid down without fixing it. It then turns up at
the edges, moves & wrinkles. Wrinkles and turnups are a trip hazard.
Not recommended.


=Detailing=
==Grip rods==
===Pipe===
Where a pipe comes out of the floor, just cut the carpet around it. No
need for any fixings if its just a pipe upto 28mm.

===Curved edges===
When carpeting round a curved item, sush as a sink pedestal, fit
several very short bits of grip rod to go round it. The quarter inch
spacing need not be precise.

===Carpet meets tiles===
The top of the tiles will be slightly higher than the floor getting
carpeted, so use grip rod the same way as with walls.

===Carpet meets bare floor===
[[image:Edge gripper 4515-6.jpg|right|200px]]

eg at doorways. Use an aluminium door strip like so

===Carpet meets carpet===
[[image:Carpet to carpet gripper 4516-5.jpg]]

Use an aluminium carpet to carpet door strip like so

===Carpet meets vortex of hell===
Sod the carpet

===Step down threshold===
In the diagrams below,
_
/__ is an aluminium door strip

: is a grip rod


There are 2 ways to do this:


________________ floor
|
_ :| Here the carpet goes down the step
/_____| plus horizonally a very short distance


________________ floor
|
| Here the carpet goes down the step
_____:| and stops where it meets the floor


===Missing a bit===
If you end up missing a little piece of gripper, with nothing to
replace it, don't worry. Just run both underlay and carpet right upto
the wall there. Only do this for small lengths though, upto about 7".


=Joining Carpet=
If a join's necessary, use [[Tape|carpet tape]]. Don't use anything
less tough, and don't use [[Tape|another tape type]] with an
[[adhesive]] that creeps over time.


=Pile loss=
Some pile loss after fitting is normal with some carpets.


=See also=
* [[Carpet]]
* [[Tape]]
* [[Nails]]
* [[Glue]]
* [[Bad Ideas - Carpet]]
* [[Special:Allpages|Wiki Article Index]]
* [[Special:Categories|Wiki Subject Categories]]



[[Category:Basics]]
[[Category:Carpet]]
[[Categoryecorating]]
[[Category:Floors]]