I'd like to lay some carpet in the hall. How do I do it correctly?

Question

I have some felt backed carpet which will fit my hall. How do I lay it correctly. I have spray glue and scissors. Tis type of cartpet does not need stretching does it?

I need to save money that is why I am asking. A carpet fitter is charging £30 to lay it in the hall

Answer 1

Hi,

First of all, I don't know if I've ever encountered FELT backed carpet, but I wouldn't GLUE any carpet down, unless it was over concrete. Beyond that,,,Forget Spray Glue in any case, unless it's going to be used on both surfaces, like a contact cement.

Since I've never encountered FELT backed, and have NO idea of the substance of the carpet, I have no real clue as to the Weave stretching or not. I assume, since you don't mention getting a KICKER, or using Tack Strip, that you don't plan to or wish to.

Steven Wolf

With no offense meant at all, 30 pounds might seem a bit much, not knowing the size of the hall, or a usual labor charge outside the USA, but you have the option of getting more than one bid, and considering the notion of a DIY job, that ends as unsatisfactory.

Answer 2

THere is a glue specially made for tacking dow ncarpet but your spray glue wil probably work in a pinch.
Unless it is really really thin, heap carpet, I would not use the scissors but rather find a utility knife or box cutter type knife and a few extra blades would be handy.
Cut the carpet to be slightly wider than your hallway and remove the trim from the base of the walls.
Let the carpet rid up the walls at this point and when you have it layed out, trim the carpet to be close to the wall.
Once you have it cut right peel up one side and put the glue down and then putthe carpet back down and then peel up the side you didnt already glue down and place glue there.
Make sure it is smooth and wrinkle free before the glue drys.

Replace the base boards.


It would be ideal to hire a pro but in this case of saving money, you should be able to do it fairly easily.

Answer 3

Get the carpet fitter,id much rather pay £30 to have him lay it than me knackin it up n buyin a new carpet

Answer 4

For £30, you'd be best to just get the fitter to do it. You may save a few quid, but if you get it wrong, even by a tiny amount you'll either need to buy more carpet or be driven mad looking at the bit you did wrong for years.

I have seen many 'diy' carpets and every single one has looked awful. JUST DON'T DO IT.

Answer 5

if their squares glue will work but if it,s one piece best to use carpet tack strips,these are 1 inch by .25 inch, with tacks facing up nail them around the edge of the hall, except at openings doorways etc,lay the carpet out and cut to size leave approximately 1 inch over size, start on one side and secure the carpet to the tack strip by pressing down on carpet .move to the other side and repeat the same method, pulling carpet as tight as you can before pressing down on the tack strip when done trim excess as close to the wall as you can. (tip) place the tack strips about a .25 of an inch from the wall and when your finished use a putty knife to Tuck the carpet in between the wall and the tack strip.if you use glue to put in down good luck getting it up and you may end up sanding the floor to get the glue off..

Answer 6

If the carpets worth anything more than the thirty quid get a fitter in. If not go for it! How bad can it be?

Answer 7

Not a good idea!! Find a good carpet fitter.

Answer 8

Get a carpet fitter in to do it!

Answer 9

I would suggest you employ a carpet layer to do it properly!

Answer 10

lay it out, with no crinkles in and 'pre-fit' , cut about 1/2 inch bigger all round, fold this over tightly and tuck under, either onto 'grippers' or spray glue or even small carper tacks, should be quite easy to really, go on get on we it