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What Are the Best Tips for Installing DIY Carpet?

Dan Cavallari
By Dan Cavallari
Updated May 17, 2024
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A DIY carpet project can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, so it may not be a great project for all DIYers. Make sure to research the various steps in the process to decide whether the project can be done without professional guidance. Before the DIY carpet installation project can be started, the old carpet will need to be removed. Be sure to vacuum the old carpet first to avoid excess dust and dirt entering the air as the carpet is ripped up. Assemble all the proper tools ahead of time so the project goes as smoothly as possible and as quickly as possible.

The padding that is installed beneath the old carpet will need to be torn up and replaced as well, though in some cases the older padding can be reused. It is best to replace the padding when the carpet is replaced, as the padding can become worn out or dirty from use. The DIY carpet project will then continue by cleaning the floor underneath the padding. All old tackless strips will need to be removed as well and replaced with new strips that can hold the new carpeting in place. Reusing old tackless strips for the DIY carpet project is possible as well, assuming they are in reasonably good condition.

Before the new carpet can be installed, the carpet padding will need to be put down. The padding should overlap the tackless strips, and the seams of the pads should be sealed with duct tape. The seams should not overlap; overlapping can lead to lumps in the carpet that can in turn create a tripping hazard. The padding should be stapled in place with a staple gun to prevent the padding from shifting during the installation process.

When installing the new DIY carpet, it is important to ensure it is pulled taut against each wall before being secured against the tackless strips. Renting a knee kicker will be necessary. This tool is used to force the carpet toward the wall, and it will require the installer to kick the padded end of the tool with his or her knee. This can be a tiring process, so it is a good idea to do a little at a time. A carpet stretcher can then be used to pull the carpet against the tacks on the strip to secure it in place.

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Discussion Comments

By Animandel — On Jan 25, 2015

@Laotionne - In order to save money, my husband and I almost always install the carpet at our house. This is one reason I am always looking for tips to do the job better. With each piece of carpet we install, we learn a little more, and the work gets better. Our family members used to walk in and say, "I see you got new carpet, and I see you installed it yourself."

Now, they have a little harder time telling whether we did the work or hired someone to do it for us. What I am trying to say is that you shouldn't expect your first effort to be perfect. If your grandmother is particular about the way her carpet looks then hire a professional. If she wants to save money then give the job a try. How bad can it be, right?

By Drentel — On Jan 25, 2015

@Laotionne - I used to help a friend clean carpet in his carpet cleaning business. I mention this because while cleaning carpet I saw a lot of carpet and some of the carpet rugs were installed better than others. If you absolutely want to install carpet yourself then be sure to allow plenty of time for the job.

I agree with the first sentence where it says that laying carpet is not the job for everyone. If you have ever seen a professional carpet layer put down carpet then you know the skill that goes into some of the more difficult jobs.

I remember cleaning carpet in a nightclub where there were poles in the middle of the floor, and the carpet had been laid around the poles, and you couldn't see a cut or a seam. It looked like one piece of carpet that had somehow been put down around the holes without having to make a cut.

By Laotionne — On Jan 24, 2015

My friend and I are considering carpeting my grandmother's bedroom at her house. After reading this article I am worried that the job may be more than we are prepared for. Does anyone out there have any real experience laying carpet? How did it turn out?

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