Carpet Installation: Preparing the Area Before Installation

Proper carpet installation can bedevil most facility managers for many years to come. The success of any flooring system depends on its installation and the right tools and equipment are used during the installation process. Having a great carpet installation job right is basically the basis for long lasting carpet life. But having bad carpet installation done can mean short lived carpet.

Most people think that they can install their carpets by using “low-glue” adhesive. They try to solve the problem by gluing an inferior product, usually made from polyurethane, onto their carpeting. These products are cheap and have no staying power. Low-glue glue dries quickly and the adhesive eventually peels off. And when the glue peels, it leaves an uneven covering on your floors.

In order to avoid these problems in your carpet installation, you should follow these do’s and don’ts for long lasting results. First of all, always buy quality carpet product. Don’t go for cheap knock-off items. Also, make sure that the floor backing is strong and durable. Carpet installation professionals usually recommend the use of carpet installation pads. These are special strips that are glued onto the underneath surface of the floor.

Another do’s and don’t for carpet installation is to not cut corners when buying your new carpet. Remember that you will need to spend a couple of hundred dollars to get a nice new carpet, so you might as well purchase the best product that you can afford. Make sure to get enough of the product to cover your entire floor area. Carpeting that is too thin will show signs of wear quickly and be less durable. You will also be reducing the life of your existing carpeting. So if you are looking to save money and want to provide maximum protection to your floor, then get a thick carpet piece.

Lastly, before doing the actual carpet installation, you should remove any old carpeting from the area you are going to install. Most often, old carpeting is stored in basement rooms or garages where it doesn’t get much traffic. But if you are installing in an entry way or bedroom, old carpeting will get worn out faster because it is exposed to foot traffic every day.

Before actually starting your installation, unroll the backing from the carpet padding and secure it to the floor using duct tape. Make sure that there is no excess adhesive showing on the backing. Then use an awl to mark the center point of the new flooring. Mark the center point on each piece of new carpet; one awl per piece. Then proceed to tape the backing down to the floor. Then, apply adhesive to the floor according to the manufacturer’s instructions and spread evenly over the entire surface.