How to Install a Basement Carpet With No Padding

Measure the longest wall your carpet will be installed against. Add 6 inches to this measurement. Unroll the carpet and turn it upside down. Mark the measurement on the back of the carpet on both ends of the carpet.

Spread a chalk line from one mark to the mark across from it. While holding the chalk line tight, pull the center of it up and allow it to snap onto the back of the carpet.

Fold the carpet against this line. Place a 4-foot level against the line to use as a straight edge. Cut across the line with a utility knife. If you need another section of carpet, make the appropriate measurements and cuts again in the same way.

Turn the carpet over so that it is sitting right side up. Position the carpet the way you will be installing it. The edges of the carpet will be going up the walls slightly. Let the carpet sit in the room for at least one hour.

Nail the corners of the carpet down with masonry nails. Push the carpet down into the corner where the wall and floor meet. Cut the extra carpet off with a utility knife so that the carpet lays flat.

Cut "V" marks in the corner of the room so that the carpet fits inside wall corners. Take small amounts of carpet off at a time and stop when the carpet sits flat in the corner.

Remove the nails holding down the carpet in two of the corners. Fold the carpet back onto itself. Place some carpet adhesive in one corner of the exposed subfloor. Spread the adhesive over the concrete using a notched spreader.

Spread the adhesive over small areas at a time. Work from one end of the room back towards the folded carpet. Follow the adhesive manufacturer's instructions regarding how thick the layer of adhesive should be and how much time you have before you need to place the carpet onto it.

Unroll the carpet slowly over the adhesive. Make sure there are no lumps in the carpet by sweeping a push broom over the top of it. Roll a 75 to 100 pound carpet roller over the carpet in both directions to ensure contact with the adhesive.

Remove the nails from the other two corners. Roll the carpet back on itself and apply the adhesive in the same way you did the first half. Lay the carpet onto the adhesive. Broom out the lumps and run the carpet roller over the second half.

Seal along any carpet seams as you get to them with a seam sealer. Apply the sealer to the edge of one of the carpet strips. Push the glued edge tightly against the non-glued edge of the glued down carpet strip next to it.