How to Lay Seams in Foam Carpet Backing

Preparation

• Prepare the subfloor over which you will be installing the carpet pad. Clean it thoroughly to remove all dirt, adhesives and old staples and make any necessary repairs. Install tackless strips around the perimeter of the room, approximately one-half inch from the wall.

Measuring and Cutting

• Measure the length and width of your room in feet. Multiply the two numbers together to determine the square footage of your room, then purchase enough carpet padding to cover the entire floor. Cut the padding into sections long enough to run the length of the room.

Laying the Pad

• Lay the first strip of padding flat on the floor along one side of the room. Staple the ends of the padding to the subfloor next to the tackless strips without allowing the pad to overlap the strips. (If the pad does overlap, use a utility knife to trim it.) If the carpet is being installed over a concrete floor, attach the padding to the floor with glue instead of staples. Place the next strip of padding so that it butts against the first one, making the seam as tight as possible without allowing the padding strips to overlap. Continue in this way until the entire floor is covered.

Finishing

• Double-check all of your seams to ensure that there are no bumps, bulges or overlapping sections. Cover each seam with a strip of duct tape, which will hold the seams flat and prevent them from separating. Once the seams have all been covered, install the carpet on top of the padding, perpendicular to the direction in which the padding was installed.