How to Lay Attached Pad Carpet on Concrete

Move everything out of the room that needs carpeting. If you are installing from wall to wall, remove the quarter-round trim on the base of the baseboard with a hammer and pry bar.

Clean the concrete floor. Sweep or vacuum the floor and mop with warm soapy water to remove any grease that might hinder the adhesive from sticking to the concrete. Dry the floor.

Lay the carpet on the floor without any adhesive, centering it as much as possible so the carpet reaches about 4 inches up the walls or through doorways.

Push the carpet into the corners using a stiff putty knife or scraper. Cut through the carpet with a sharp utility knife, working around the perimeter of the room.

Cut seams by laying the carpet at the same direction and cutting through the back of the carpet with a straightedge and a sharp utility knife.

Lift half the carpet and attached pad and fold over on top of the other half. Spread adhesive over the concrete with a 1/16-inch notched trowel, starting at the corner of the room and working toward the center. Dry the adhesive for the time recommended by the manufacturer until it reaches the tack point where it is no longer wet.

Roll the carpet back from the center of the room, carefully dropping it into place along the edges of the room. Walk over the perimeter of the adhered carpet to help make good contact between the carpet and glue.

Lift the second half of the carpet and repeat the same steps as the first half. Connect the seams with double-sided seam tape, centering it evenly along the seam. Reinstall the quarter-round around the baseboards.