A perfectly laid and maintained carpet looks great in any home. However, over time, it is likely to experience wear and tear and require some repairing. A common issue that flooring experiences are creases and wrinkles. Even a small crease or wrinkle can be a hazard and needs to be fixed by a method called “carpet re-stretching.”
Professional carpet re-stretching Sydney specialist have certifications and are qualified in carpet repair and carpet re-stretching. These specialists are available for you for all your stretching and repair needs. Now let us understand the process, here is how the carpet stretching process works.
Measure The Room and Gather Materials Required
Start the carpet stretching process by measuring the length of the room. Add two to four inches to each number. Multiply these numbers to get the square footage of the room. If your room is not a rectangle, divide the area into small parts and take measurements. Try to keep each section of the apartment as close to a rectangle as you can.
Once you get the total square footage, you should add 10-20% to ensure that you have enough carpeting and underlay to cover the room and enough to rectify any mistake made while taking the measure or cutting. Plus, if you are procuring a designed or patterned carpet, you should get an additional 5% of material to ensure that you have enough for in-between sections.
Once you have measured the room and you have finalised the carpet, it is time to get the tools for carpet re-stretching.
Please note if you are planning on re-stretching then you can avoid this step.
Prepare the Room
Before you start installing the flooring, you need to prepare your existing flooring. If you are replacing the old carpeting, you will need to remove the old carpet before starting.
You may even consider removing your baseboard to ensure that your new carpeting is fixed to the walls properly. Once you have removed the carpeting and exposed the underfloor, scrape or sand the residue left from the old adhesive.
Before proceeding with the process, look for any issues within the subfloor, including the squeaking, musty patched, or sunken spots. Getting rid of damaged and loose subfloor will add time to your carpet re-stretching process but will ensure that your carpet lasts longer without any damage.
If you are installing carpeting over hard concrete, look for moisture or damage to the floor. Any cracks within the flooring should be filled with fillers.
If you are planning to install carpet between two rooms, you may consider taking the door hinges so that you can comfortably access the floor as you proceed with the carpet re-stretching job. Further, a professional carpet stretching service provider suggests sweeping and vacuuming thoroughly to ensure no debris is caught under the new carpeting.
Pull back the pad and carpet
Once you are done taking the measurement and preparing the room. Pull the carpet to stretch it. Lift it from one corner of the carpet using a pair of pliers to get it off the tack strips. Practice caution as any mistake can lead to an unravelling of carpet fibres.
Remove Old Tack Strips and Replace with New Ones
Professional carpet re-stretching Sydney technicians advise using safety gloves while doing this step. Without gloves, there is a high risk of getting poked. Pull up as many as tack strips. The best way to do this is to pry them using a small pry bar underneath. Once you are done removing tack strips, you can take the new tack strips and begin to put them on the floor.
Reset the Carpet and Stretch It
Once you are ready to reinstall the carpeting, trim the pad so that the carpet rests perfectly against the tack strips. Then staple the carpeting about three inches along the seam. Once done stapling, you are ready to use the power stretcher. Set the power to determine how deep the teeth dig into the flooring. Professional carpet stretching service providers suggest using the deepest setting for the best result.
Finish with a carpet cutter
Once you have stretched the carpeting to the maximum, you will require a carpet cutter and a sharp utility knife to trim off the excess carpeting. Cut entry points using the cutter from the back. Ensure that you push the cutter hard to avoid cutting too short or too long. Also, be gentle to keep the cut straight and precise.
Carpet re-stretching is a relatively simple process if you have access to proper tools and knowledge. However, it is best if you hire a professional carpet stretching Sydney technician. Expert carpet re-stretching service providers are certified, experienced, and trained to get the most desirable result. Plus, they are proficient and know multiple ways to stretch the carpeting effectively.
So, if you feel that stretching the carpet is challenging, do not wait and call a professional carpet re-stretching service provider.
