Ways to Stretch Carpet

Knee Kicker

• A knee kicker helps attach the carpet to the first tack strip, which stretches the carpet when you first lay the carpet, making a good connection so you can stretch the carpet across the room. A knee kicker requires you to "kick" the tool on a padded spot with your knee, which creates a quick stretch as you attach the carpet to the tack strip next to the wall.

Power Stretcher

• Power stretching carpet ensures you stretch the carpet in a room from one wall to the next. This tool allows you to stretch the carpet to attach it on the tack strip across the room. Because most carpets do not attach to the middle of the floor of a room, power stretching is necessary to ensure the carpet stays flat. Carpets also have some natural flex in them; using a power stretcher allows you to remove this flex so the carpet does not bubble up after installation.

Considerations

• When stretching carpet, do not attempt to stretch carpets with seams. Most carpet installations will use one big piece to cover the entire floor of a room. Stretching carpet with seams can result in breaking the seam or stressing it to the point of breakage after installation. You can also restretch carpet after a few years using a carpet stretcher. However, you should carefully inspect the carpet for damages as stretching can augment damages.