How to Do Carpet Joints

Lay the main piece of carpet in the middle of the floor.

Cut pieces of carpet to fit areas of the floor that the main piece does not cover, and add 2 inches to the side of the carpet that will adjoin the main piece.

Lay the smaller pieces of carpet into position on the floor so that they overlap the edges of the main piece by 2 inches.

Mark the halfway point of the part of the carpet that overlaps the main piece using a chalk line. Place a straightedge against the chalk line, and cut the carpet with a utility knife.

Place the smaller piece back on top of the main piece, and press the edge of the carpet firmly against the main piece.

Cut 2-inch-long slits into the bottom piece of carpet. Cut the slits along the edge of the top piece of carpet (about an inch from the edge of the bottom piece), and make one cut every 2 to 3 feet. The slits are used to score the carpet so you know where to make the final cut.

Place the straightedge along the 2-inch slits, and cut the carpet with the utility knife.

Fold over the edge of one of the pieces of carpet and lay a strip of double-faced tape on the floor underneath the edge. Keep the paper on the back of the tape. Repeat this with the other piece of carpet.

Remove the backing paper from both strips of tape and push one of the pieces of carpet firmly down onto the tape.

Place seam adhesive on the strip of tape that is uncovered. Unfold the edge of the second piece of carpet and place it against the edge of the first piece. Press both pieces of carpet into the tape.