My homes carpet REALLY needs to be replaced, but I can not affort to do it right now. Occasionally I see people who buy new homes give away brand new carpet because they are putting in hard wood. Is it possible for someone who is not very handy to learn to lay carpet themselves? Have you? How would you rate its difficulty from 1 to 10?
2006-07-27 07:22:31 · 22 answers · asked by Amy A 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
No, but its a lot easieer if the carpet wants to be layed.
2006-07-27 07:25:04 · answer #1 · answered by dopeysaurus 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Easy Lay Carpets
2016-12-18 15:45:56 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it is not difficult to lay carpet. You need a carpet kicker (is basically a spiked plate to grip the carpet on a small pole with a cushion on the end for you to knee (this stretches the carpet) and a stanley blade with spare blades. It is also wise to have an old length of wood to lean against when trimming the carpet as otherwise you may cut into the skirting boards.
hammer in the carpet gripper approx 2 to 3 inches away from the skirts (the little nails on the upper side should be angled towards the skirt as they will be what stops the carpet when stretched. Fill the main carpeting area with underlay ( this does not need to be fixed to the floor, just place it and make sure you don't go over the gripper with it. Next place the carpet in the room and trim it roughly to size (be careful with patterned carpets to get the pattern pointing the way you want before trimming). Next the carpet needs to be stretched. For small rooms you only need go around the edges with the carpet kicker, trim any excess and tuck it under the skirting board making sure the carpet is sufficiently gripped by the gripper, for larger rooms do the largest wall as above and then work across the room to the opposite wall and lastly do the two smaller walls, this will stretch the carpet fully. It is worth noting that the carpets may need re stretching after a few days once they acclimatise to their new home. One bit of advice would be to start with as square a room as possible first and attempt more complex (i.e rooms with bay windows) ones when you are a bit more confident.
2006-07-27 09:24:15 · answer #3 · answered by ligiersaredevilspawn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi,
its extremely difficult without the right tools. Carpet fitters don't just lay the carpet, they stretch it over the floor with a special tool. Then theres the gripper rods or spray adhesive and what if you have to piece it? Its totally up to you but personally I wouldn't try it. Not even in a small room. But good luck whatever you decide x
2006-07-27 07:28:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've actually seen guys lay carpet before...it looks easy if you have all the tool, or similar tools, to get the job done...I would say, 5 out of 10...the reason why is, I don't know if I can handle the glue, I'm messy sometimes...other than that, you should be fine...try talking to people inside Lowes, Homedepot etc...ask questions that you have...they have all the instructions with pictures on how to lay carpet yourself...if other people can do it, you can do it too...good luck
2006-07-27 07:32:11 · answer #5 · answered by keziah 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
10!
It's very hard work, and if you don't do it properly you could end up with folds and lumps all over the place.
If you are laying expensive carpet get a professional. If you are laying a cheapie it doesn't really matter, but honestly it will look as if you DIY'd it.
Why not just see if you can pick up some nice big rugs - that's what we did. ;-)
2006-07-27 07:30:38 · answer #6 · answered by Quester 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I haven't done it but reckon it's pretty tricky as you have to stretch it over carpet grips and I struggled even to do that over one door tthreshold after decorating. I would say it's 7/10, without tools and experience. But if you get a second hand carpet it might not cost much to pay a fitter.
2006-07-27 07:28:16 · answer #7 · answered by Emily 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK start with the straightest wall no doors or cupboards lay your strait edge of your carpet against the wall and role out your carpet you will have overhangs on 3 walls get a screwdriver and where the wall meets the floor push down on the carpet so it is in at the wall and floor then take screwdriver and run it along the carpet this is to brake the pile in the carpet so it is easy to cut with your Stanly knife you must only yous the blade once one cut to one blade
2016-03-16 06:33:44 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Using used carpet or carpet that has already been installed I would rate a 9. I am an installer and believe me i hate doing what your talking about. inevitably the room pieces from their house don't even come close to matching yours, so you have a bunch of extra seams. Hire a pro if you want it done right.
2006-07-28 15:17:32 · answer #9 · answered by mmpots.com 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is easy if the carpet is pre-stretched! If it has never been layed, stretching it out is the difficult part. A carpet that has been previously laid is very easy.
2006-07-27 07:26:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's very hard to get the carpet stretched properly. If you don't it will crease up and look rubbish!!! Gripper rods are also a nightmare!! I'd say it's darn hard!! Go for a laminate. It's easy as hell to lay!!
2006-07-27 07:34:17 · answer #11 · answered by Fluke 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋