Stretching Carpet - Need some tips

[davefr]

I have a room (approx. 16' X 16') where the carpet has a ripple across the entire width. It obviously needs to be restretched.

What's the proper technique to restretch carpet??

Can I use a knee kick around the perimeter to snug it up and then do any trimming??

Should I rent a power stretcher?? Do you unhook the carpet from the tackless strips, stretch, trim and re-attach or can you leave it attached to the tackless while you take out the slack?

If a ripple runs across the entire room do you stretch from the middle outwards or from the edges toward the middle?? (I would assume middle to outside???)

Any other tips would be appreciated.

[Philip]

For a room that size I would recommend renting a power stretcher. A carpet kicker will not properly stretch the carpet.

As for the proper order, I don't remember what the pros recommended. In my case, I unhooked the carpet on one side only. I actually started in one corner (since one side was rigidly fixed) and worked my way to the other corner. Worked for me but in your case maybe the center would be a better place to start.

I would also consider renting a carpet trimmer. I didn't. I used a carpet knife but if I did again I would rent a carpet trimmer to get a cleaner cut and less damage to the base molding.

It is not a bad job but it does take time.

do itnews:...

[Des Perado]

We had to have a carpet restretched. Found an ad in a local newspaper and called the guy. He came and stretched the carpet in our Living Room and Dining Room - both extra large size rooms. I think he charged me $85.00 and all the work I had to do was to get the furniture out of the two rooms.

We still have the three bedrooms to stretch, but have been too lazy to remove all the furniture. If I ever see the guy who installed the carpet in the first place again, I swear I will kill him on the spot.

Bottom Line, I wouldn't bother renting the tool, I would check around and find an experienced guy who will do it at a reasonable price. Our stretch was done 3 or 4 years ago and the carpet is still tight in the Living and Dining Rooms, so I figure we are out of the woods by now.

Des

across

middle

middle