Installing flooring is an important and often expensive investment in your home. Making small mistakes during installation can lead to bigger issues down the line. When installing carpet over a hardwood floor, there are a few important steps to take in order to ensure the installation is done right the first time. In this guide, we’ll go through the process of installing carpet over a hardwood floor and provide tips to help you achieve a successful installation.
Before you start installing carpet over your hardwood floor, you will need to prepare the subfloor thoroughly. First, remove all the baseboards and any trim around doorways. Then, sweep and clean the hardwood floor thoroughly. Make sure that any nails or staples are removed from the floor and ensure the surface is completely flat. Any small dips or bumps in the floor can cause your carpet to wrinkle or wear unevenly over time. If necessary, sand down high spots in the floor and fill in any low spots with wood filler, then sand again for a smooth surface.
Next, you’ll need to install tack strips around the perimeter of the room. Tack strips are strips of wood with small pins protruding from them, and they grip the carpet to hold it in place along the edges. You will need to cut the tack strips to the length of each wall, then nail them in place approximately 1/2 inch from the wall. Make sure the pins on the tack strip are pointing toward the wall, as this will help to keep the carpet secure.
Once the tack strips are installed, you can measure and cut the carpet. Measure the room lengthwise and then add an extra 6 inches to account for any cutting mistakes or corners in the room. The width of the carpet roll should be the same as the length of the room, plus 6 inches. Cut the carpet to the right length, then roll the carpet out in the room, leaving a 2-inch overlap along the edges. This overlap will be trimmed later.
Now it’s time to stretch the carpet over the hardwood floor. Use a knee kicker tool to stretch the carpet onto the tack strips, beginning at one corner of the room. Place the knee kicker about 2 inches away from the wall and kick the padded end of the tool with your knee. This will stretch the carpet onto the tack strips. Make sure the carpet is smooth and tight, then trim the excess carpet from around the edges of the room.
Finally, trim the excess carpet from around the edges of the room with a utility knife or carpet shears. Tuck the edges of the carpet under the baseboards or reinstall the trim you removed earlier. Vacuum the carpet thoroughly to remove any debris and to help the fibers stand up.
By following these steps, you can install carpet over your hardwood floor with confidence. Proper preparation, measuring, cutting, stretching, and finishing are crucial to achieving long-lasting and beautiful flooring for your home.
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