Carpets add a touch of warmth to make you feel at ease and do your daily activities. But, the process of installing it may sometimes leave you puzzled, specifically if it requires adjustments to some parts of the room, like the wall's baseboards. If you are currently figuring out how to do this, then don't worry because we gathered all the answers for you.
A baseboard covers the joint of the lowest part of your wall and the floor; you do not need to remove this when installing a carpet. You can leave a gap by simply rolling the excess carpet over the trim. Removing the baseboards when installing a carpet will most likely lead to damage to the wall.
You absolutely don't need to have difficulty installing a carpet because this can be done as easily as ABC! If you want to know more tips on how to do this, then you read further and learn.
Tips On Installing Carpet
Seek The Professionals
Seeking professional help from a carpet installer is one of the essential things to do beforehand. This is because they know how to deal with the seams and trims best since they have experience.
Professional carpet installers will already know what adjustments to make concerning baseboards, doorway openings, and furniture that might get in the way.
Additionally, these professionals also know what carpets would match your flooring. There are cases when the type of flooring might not match your carpeting because you'd use two different flooring materials. Professionals have the knowledge of how to make transitions between flooring.
You will also need their experience to determine the next time your carpet needs replaced, and maybe, you can decide to do it all on your own.
Be Present
If you hire a professional carpet installer for your home, it will do you so much good to be present on the installation day. This not only facilitates learning, but you will be able to share your ideas and opinions with the installer. You will also be able to observe how the work is being completed and if it's done honestly and accurately.
At the same time, you can address other concerns, especially regarding baseboards and doorway openings that can require transitions or modifications. Just in case the installer also has questions, both of you can discuss important matters directly.
Being present on the day of the installation makes sure that things are smooth-sailing to your advantage.
Be All-Knowing
Above all, you must know the very basics and the walk-thru of installing carpets. Before installation, you must know and research more on the tools to be used, the best carpet material to purchase, the professionals that will help you install them, all the pros and cons that you can ever encounter when it comes to carpets, and installation.
You will be equipped with safety measures on the day of the installation, you will have ideas on the necessary preparation and you can offer solutions for post-installation problems.
Our blog provides more discussion and tips for you to have further knowledge of carpets and their installation.
Do Carpet Installers Install Baseboards?
We discussed above that there is no need to remove baseboards when installing carpets, but there can be circumstances when removal is needed. For instance, getting the wrong measurement of the floor and trim or the carpet just won't cooperate to fit well with the baseboard.
The installer will likely suggest removing the baseboards. Since the installer has the capacity and experience to do so, they can install and, at the same time, reinstall baseboards for an additional charge.
However, the installer will not be held reliable for any damage caused, like chipping the baseboards' wood and paint or any retouch needed after the baseboards are reinstalled. That is another problem you are going to have to handle afterward.
Remember that removing baseboards can always result in damage to them. In most cases, it is always best to refrain from doing so, even if installers know how to reinstall them.
Can You Install A Carpet On Your Own?
Yes, you can install carpet if you have the right tools. Consider purchasing, renting, or borrowing these key tools for your DIY carpet installation if you don't already have them at home:
- hammer
- utility knife
- handsaw
- pneumatic stapler
- knee-kicker
- carpet trimmer
Other specialty tools might not be necessary for a one-time job, but depending on your expertise and type of carpet installation, you might also consider a lever-activated stretcher, carpet edger, seaming iron, or binding machine.
Knee-kickers are used to stretch the carpet in small and cornered places like staircases, closets, and bookshelves. It prevents the carpet from wrinkles and creases.
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A carpet trimmer easily trims the carpet for proper installation. It is handy and can trim areas that are difficult to reach. More importantly, you can use this when the time comes that you want to remove your carpet.
Find this carpet trimmer on Amazon.
Can A Carpet Be Lifted And Relaid?
Sometimes the way you lay your carpet does not go exactly as you expected or planned. So you're going to have to undo this to make it better.
You can lift and relay your carpet as many times as you want. Just remember to pull it up to the tacking strip to avoid damaging it. More importantly, know the amount of carpet you are going to pull so that you can measure how much stretch it is going to need in the tacking strip.
The knee-kicker will be handy when relaying carpets because it stretches the carpet over the tacking strips. It can straighten wrinkles if they are present. At the same time, when there are any needed alterations that you want to do with your carpet, the carpet trimmer will come to help adjust excess carpet or cloth that you wish to remove.
In Closing
Installing a carpet does not require removing baseboards because there are tools that can ease the process without causing damage. Consult professional installers if you are ill-equipped for this DIY job. Otherwise, practice tactics to install carpet without removing the baseboards.