Carpet Flooring Installation Guide

A new carpet from Hamernick’s Interior Solutions is a great way to warm up and quiet down your home. It’s important to hire a professional installer to make sure your carpet looks the way you want and lasts as long as you expect it to. Installation is very hard work and there are many tools and supplies needed that the average DIY enthusiast may not have access to. If you do plan to install your own carpet, be sure to consult the approved installation guidelines and warranties of the manufacturer before you start.

Carpet Installation Equipment

A qualified carpet installer will have the experience it takes to do the job right the first time, and the tools required to move quickly and handle any unexpected situations. A professional installation can also help ensure your carpet is covered by the Shaw warranty in case the need should arise. A professional installer has a broad range of equipment to work with, here are a few items you’re sure to see if you watch the installation process:

Tack Strips

Tack strips are slats of wood nailed to the floor around the outside edge of the area where the carpet will be installed. Each strip has angled pins sticking off the top designed to catch hold of the carpet and keep it in place, allowing it to be stretched tight into position.

Knee-Kicker

The knee kicker is also called a carpet stretcher. It’s about a foot and a half long and has teeth at one end that grip the carpet. The installer sets the Kicker onto the carpet and strikes the pad at the other end with one knee. This pushes the carpet forward, stretching it into place taught on the pins of the tack strip.

Seam Roller

The seam roller is a spiked cylinder with a handle, a bit like a small paint roller. The installer uses this tool to press down on the seam between two pieces of carpet, attaching them to the adhesive strip underneath. This creates a tight seam which is essential to the life of the carpet, especially in high-traffic areas like doorways or stairs.

Getting Ready for Your Carpet Installation

Preparation is important for a successful carpet installation. You should consult with your Hamernick’s flooring specialist for full instructions, but there are steps you can take to help the process go smoothly.

If you have old flooring that has to be removed, there may be some work involved in getting the exposed surface ready for the installation of new carpet. If your old floor was glued down or held in place with tile adhesive this will be especially time-consuming. An experienced flooring specialist will know when the surface is ready for new flooring and may be able to help you dispose of your old flooring.
All the furniture must be moved out of the room where your new carpet is to be installed. If you have heavy items or things that require special care, it’s a good idea to hire professional movers and storage experts. Hiring professionals can also cut down on the amount of time you have to live without your furniture to as little as a day before and after the carpet installation is done.

During & After Your Carpet Installation

A member of your household 18 or older should be available to greet the installation crew and show them the work area.
For everyone’s safety and to help the project go smoothly, keep children and pets away from the work area until the job is done.
Feel free to ask your lead installer any questions you might have about the finished product and get recommendations for resuming the use of your newly carpeted rooms.

If you have questions about floor installation, we would be happy to answer them for you. Feel free to contact us today.