Best way to install carpet and underpad directly on basement concrete

[Andrew.Cox]

I'm putting down carpet in my basement and I want to know what the best way of installing it would be. My main questions are:

1. Should I be glueing tack strips to the concrete? Would the carpet shift around if I were just to lay it down?

[Andrew.Cox]

I'm putting down carpet in my basement and I want to know what the best way of installing it would be. My main questions are:

1. Should I be using tack strips? (and how)
2. Do I need to use carpet stretching tools?
3. Would the carpet shift around if I were just to lay it down?

I've read some posts about people glueing it directly to the concrete, but I don't see how that would work if I'm also using underpadding.

[Grandpa]

1. They make tack strips specifically for concrete. Once installed, they are no different than tack strips for wood floors.
2. Yes, if you are using tack strips.
3. Yes it will.

They also make a liquid glue to hold the pad in place on the concrete. Usually it is just dribbled about on the concrete, you do not need to (nor should you) cover the concrete more than 5% with the glue.

You won't have a moisture problem will you? Have you checked for that?

[RickH]

I'm not doing it myself, but the guy is coming to measure my concrete floor tonight and insall the tack strips by gluing them down. When the carpet finally comes in a few weeks, the tack strips will be solid and they will stretch install it like any other floor. I'm going with a breathable felt pad since the concrete has radiant heat.

The only reason my tack strips are being glued is because I have radiant heat tubing in the concrete, otherwise I think they nail shoot them down.

[WalkingMan]

After being unhappy with traditionally installed carpet over asphalt (part vinyl) tile in the basement, I threw out the whole mess and put

3/4 inch exterior plywood over the whole area, then a polysomething indoor/outdoor type directly on the plywood, no glue, no tack strips, no pad, no two-face tape. Installed in two rooms, after installing the first room, about 19x15, I rolled the piano over the newly installed carpet and finished with another 10 X 15 piece, then rolled the piano back. Carpet did not buckle, move, or anything but just LIE there. I did reinstall the clamshell moulding. If you have ever tried to move a 11x15 area rug, you know why I believed that it would work!! Been in place more than 20 years, was a 700 buck remnant, no stains, no wear, except under the chair and sofa legs. M