Smart moves prior to the arrival of the crew

 

You’ve read the previous sections on carpet, shopped wisely, made your best choice, and now it’s as easy as waiting for the installers to arrive, correct?

You know better, of course. Your next move is to get ready for the day when the new carpeting will enhance your home and improve your home life.

Being ready for that day will make the whole process run smoother, more efficiently.

Plus, knowing what to expect and anticipating what will happen will ease the stress on you, your loved ones and your home.

Recommendation #1: hire professionals

It takes years of expertise to correctly install carpeting. So employing pros is just plain smart. Also, learning here the fundamentals of carpet installation will improve your understanding of the process and build your confidence in those working in your home. Some of these basics follow.

The seaming diagram is the key

This critical document indicates the overall layout of the carpet, the proper placement of seams and transitions, and helps the installers in the prepping and cutting of the carpet.

Professional installers are seam masters

Carpet seams are a fact of life but the pros excel at both hiding and minimizing them, calling on years of experience and tried and true techniques. Example: they will make sure seams are placed away from areas subjected to pivoting traffic and they won’t install seams perpendicular to doorway openings.

 Some carpet styles display the placement of the seam tape more than others. Called “telegraphing”, or “peaking”, this problem is especially evident in low cut pile and looped carpets. A seam may be considered “tight” but can still be seen.

Be aware that, once in a while, more carpet must be ordered to better match patterns at the seams, which increases your costs.

Nobody transitions like the pros, either.

When two different flooring types meet, carpeting and a hardwood floor for example, it’s called a transition. Your crew of experts is well versed in matching the two surface heights to keep the transition to a minimum.

Smart things to do before installation day

FURNITUE IS PRIORITY ONE.

You’ll need to move all furniture, objects and materials out of the area to be carpeted. Some installers will do this but there may be an added cost.

The contents of china cabinets, closets, etc. will also need to be moved.

Deal with the present floor covering

Plan on how your current floor covering will be removed and disposed of. This can be a time intense and dirty job. We can discuss removal alternatives with you.

If you’re up for doing the removal job yourself, do so a minimum of one day prior to installation to allow for cleanup and floor preparation. If disposing of carpet, leave tack strips in place and pull the staples out of the floor from the original pad.

Don’t forget the surrounding trim

 

For many carpet installations, moldings and baseboards require removal. Your installer may do this but for an added cost and they will most likely not be liable for damage or breakage due to dry or brittle wood.

Painted baseboards, woodwork and paint may need retouching following installation. If needed, this is your responsibility.

Get help regarding the subflooring

Your existing subfloor may need to be prepared for the new carpet, or a new subfloor may require construction. We recommend professional assistance with this and we can help get you started.

Have a plan when it comes to the doors

With any carpet installation, doors, particularly closet, basement and bedroom doors, may not clear the new carpet and swing free.

Some installers will remove doors and re-hang them if possible. They may not shave or cut down the doors for proper clearance. A qualified carpenter may need to be hired to do that.

Get agreement on the clean-up

Waste is inevitable with any carpet installation. The installer usually collects it and moves it to your trash collection area. Consult with your retailer about the plan for clean-up prior to installation day, also ask if there are additional costs for clean-up and agree on what happens with the carpet remnants. 

Smart things to do during installation day

Your presence is mandatory on the big day. Be at home and available for the installation crew. This will insure that the correct carpet is installed in the right areas. Because each job is unique, some installers may not provide an exact time of arrival so plan on being flexible and stay in contact with your retailer/installer.

Your family’s presence should be avoided.

The installers will utilize a number of tools and methods that can make the work area hazardous. Children and pets should be kept well away from it.

Follow through with the walk-thru

Before completion of the installation, we recommend you walk through the entire job site with the chief installer. Feel free to ask questions and be clear on any final points. 

Smart things to do after installation day

VENTILATE AND CIRCULATE THOROUGHLY.

Carpet installation creates dust and odors so plan on ventilating the work area. Chemicals utilized in the manufacturing of carpet, adhesives or hot melt seaming tapes may be smelled for 48 to 72 hours following installation.

ADDRESS POST-INSTALLATION ISSUES.

New carpet sheds, it’s a natural fact. Vacuum often during the first few days after installation to pickup loose fibres from the carpet’s surface.

Tiny tufts or loops may show up following installation. Called “sprouting”, you can take a small scissors and trim them even with the carpet’s surface.

Occasionally, carpet wrinkles or ripples appear. Re-stretching the carpet may be called for. Let us know and we’ll have the experts do it.

Nothing applies to installation day like the Boy Scout motto: be prepared. We hope this section helps make that day easier, smoother and smarter, and we hope your new carpet gives you years of beauty and performance.