How to Install & Repair Carpet

Repair

• 1

  Purchase a carpet patch kit from a flooring distributor or Internet retailer. These kits include a carpet cutter and patching discs.

• 2

  Make an imprint on your damaged area and your spare fabric with the carpet cutter (before you attach the blades) from the installation kit. This will push aside the carpet fibers and make cutting easier.

• 3

  Screw the blades onto the carpet cutter. Push the tool down on the imprint you made until you hear a popping noise; this is the cutter’s screw piercing through the backing of the carpet.

• 4

  Turn the cutter clockwise two or three times around your imprinted areas to cut out the damaged area.

• 5

  Remove the protective covering from one of the adhesive discs and lightly splash it with cool water; this will neutralize the adhesive while you slide the disc into place. Open the slit in the disc and slide the edge between the carpet and the padding beneath.

• 6

  Push the disc the rest of the way under the cut-away area; the disc will be slightly larger than the patch area. Press down on the carpet surrounding the disc to adhere the disc in place.

• 7

  Spread a thin line of carpet glue around the edges of the disc and push the patch into place. Make any adjustments quickly, as the glue will set fully in 15 minutes and you will not be able to make any more changes.

Installation

• 8

  Begin in one corner of the room and lay strips of double-sided carpet tape around the perimeter. As you go, measure every two feet and apply an “X” to the floor in double-sided tape, with each piece of tape measuring six inches. When applying the tape, remove the protective covering from one side so that it will stick to the floor, but leave the protection on the other side until you are ready to lay the carpet.

• 9

  Roll the carpet into the room; it will not stick to the tape yet, since you left the top protective paper on. Center the carpet in the room, so that any excess carpet runs equally up each wall.

• 10

  Trim the excess off of the carpet with a sharp utility knife. Be sure to cut “V” shapes for corners and to cut out any areas needed for heating vents or other protrusions.

• 11

  Fold the carpet in half, being sure not to slide its position. Starting on one side of the room, work from the center outward, removing the top paper of the tape and smoothing the carpeting into place. Work completely across one half of the carpet, and then fold up the other half and repeat.

• 12

  Walk around the perimeter of the room to apply pressure, making sure the carpet is sticking securely to the tape and that there are no areas sticking up.