Re-laying carpet is a great way to save money.Laying carpet for the first time in a new area is no different than laying an old carpet in the same area.The age of the carpet is the only difference.If necessary, install tack strips and carpet pads, lay out the carpet, and tuck it in using a carpet stretcher and knee kicker.
Step 1: Put the carpet back in place.
A corner of your carpet can be grabbed using a pair of pliers.Lift the carpet away from the corner.Pulling too hard and fast will tear the carpet fibers.If you have trouble getting your carpet up with pliers, use a knee kicker to loosen it.Place the knee kicker on the carpet four inches from the wall you want to peel back.Use moderate force to drive your knee into the kicker.The carpet is against the wall.Pull the bunched-up section with pliers.Pull until you remove the area you wish to re-lay.You risk breaking a seam if you pull the carpet past doorways.
Step 2: Cut the carpet into strips if you can't lift it all at the same time.
Use a utility knife to slice the carpet.The strips should be three feet wide.When you re-lay them later, mark each strip with a number or letter so you know how they fit together.
Step 3: The pad has to be removed.
You will need a flathead screwdriver and pliers if you decide that the pad is in good condition.The flat edge of the screwdriver should be used to pop the staples out.Don't tear the pad, use care.Don't try to pull the pad up without removing the staple.The pad will break.There are a number of signs that your carpet should not be laid again.If your carpet pad was installed over concrete, it will be impossible to re-lay in another space.Pull away as much as possible and use a scraper to remove any bits that stick to the concrete.
Step 4: Pull up the strips.
You can reuse the tack strips if they are undamaged.Pull up on your end of the pry bar to remove tack strips that you can't use again.You have to pull the tack strip up through the concrete nails if you want to remove it.Hit the concrete nails with a hammer to break them off once the tack strips are removed.Before attempting to remove tack strips, wear heavy protective gloves.tack strips that are cracked should not be used again.The tack strips should be replaced if they have been down for 10 years or more.
Step 5: The manufacturer has instructions on how to clean the carpet.
Information about how to clean the carpet can be found on the manufacturer's website.Professional carpet cleaning services may be able to get your carpet cleaned if you don't want to.
Step 6: Put down tack strips.
The carpet is held in place by tack strips.The tack strips should be placed around the edges of the room where you want to lay your carpet.They should be placed about half an inch from the wall.The tacks should be positioned in such a way that they are facing up, then secured by hammering the pre- started nails into the tack strip.It is likely that you will need to cut the tack strips to fit your room.Suppose you have three tack strips that measure four feet each and you are trying to lay them along a 10-foot wall.Cut the third tack strip in half from one end of the wall.You can install a second strip of tack strips in front of the first if you want to make your carpet even more secure.
Step 7: Cut the carpet pad into pieces.
The carpet pad is usually three feet wide.Depending on the area you wish to re-lay carpet, the size of the pieces you cut from the pad can be different.
Step 8: It's a good idea to clean the floor.
To remove debris, sweep the floor.If the area is grimy, let it dry and then scrub it with a sponge.
Step 9: There is a carpet pad.
The carpet pad should be placed within the tack strips.The tack strips should be near the outer edges of the carpet pad.Use a staple gun to staple the carpet pad to the floor along the edges.The carpet pad should be secured with a carpet and floor glue.The directions for use vary depending on what you choose to use.If you apply a line of glue along the edge of the tack strip, you can put the pad in place.Put it down gently with your foot.
Step 10: The carpet needs to be cut to the correct size.
If you are re-laying the carpet in a new space, cut it to an appropriate size and discard excess.The carpet should be a bit longer on each edge than on the perimeter of the room you want to re-lay it in.It is possible to discard excess carpet later.
Step 11: Have someone help you.
When re-laying carpet, it is nice to have assistance.You can have an extra set of eyes on the carpet to make sure it is snug against the walls and corners.Carrying and rolling heavy carpet out can be done with an extra pair of hands.
Step 12: The carpet needs to be laid down carefully.
You are ready to install your carpet once the tack strips and carpet pad are laid.Place it in the place you want it.
Step 13: Put the first edge of the carpet in place.
A knee kicker is used to secure the carpet after it has been laid.The knee kicker's claws should be placed from one wall.Drive your knee into the kicker if you use one hand.Push down against the carpet between the kicker and the wall after you strike the knee kicker.The tack strip will be pushed into the carpet.The kicker is used at intervals of three inches (seven centimeters) along the entire length of the wall.
Step 14: You can switch to the other wall.
After securing 25% of the way along the wall, you can go to the carpet directly opposite the area you just secured.When you secure 25% of the carpet to the floor, switch back and forth between the two opposing areas.You can repeat the process along the other two walls once you have secured the carpet.
Step 15: Remove the carpet.
If you are re-laying carpet in an area that is smaller than the area you originally put it in, you have already cut the carpet to fit the room.You will need to cut away the excess because the area of the carpet is slightly larger than the room.You can put a carpet trimmer against the wall.You can run it along the wall.Pull away excess and use a knife to push the trimmed edge down.
Step 16: Put the seams up.
If you are re-laying carpet in strips, you need to line it up perfectly to hide the seams.It is possible to keep seams away from the main traffic areas.It's the best option to hide them beneath furniture.If carpet seams intersect pad seams below them, they should not line up directly.
Step 17: Place the seaming tape on the floor.
Lift the carpet up by locating the seam.The other piece of carpet is still flat on the floor, so you have to slide a strip of heat-activated seam tape halfway beneath it.Put the folded-back piece of carpet back down so that it is snug against the opposite piece, and then run the seam tape along the entire length.
Step 18: The seams must be secured.
Allow the iron to warm up.Take it between the seam after about five minutes.Slowly move the iron along the entire length of the seam.To ensure the carpet will adhere to the seam tape, have a friend follow behind you with a seaming weight.If you have a carpet that needs to be re-layed, you should get a professional to do it.