Relaying a carpet

Interest-Ed

We need to lift the bedroom carpet to carry out work on the floor underneath.


Has anyone got any experience of re-laying their own carpet?
We're d-i-y-ers of many years standing but this is one thing we've never done.


Is it something we should attempt or should we really get in a professional??!!!


Thanks in anticipation ....

economiser

I am no expert but I have relayed fitted carpet several times. If it has been down some time it will not need so much stretching as when new. A "kicker" helps. I've always managed to borrow one but they can be hired. They might no be that expensive to buy?

tru

If it's hessian-backed carpet, carefully unhook from the gripper. Roll it up DO NOT FOLD (note from Mr troo ). Shouldn't need to stretch it when you re-lay, if you do then hire a kicker. Though it might cost about the same to ask a fitter to do it for you, depends on the size of the room.

If it's felt-backed, just lay it back down, going round the edges with spray glue.

If it's rubber-backed, be very careful cos the rubber can stick to the floor as you take it up

andrewmoorcroft

I've refitted several but i'm just a DIYer myself although a professional did show me! I've knocked some nails through a block of wood to use as a kicker. You should kick the carpet to stretch it over the gripper so that the gripper hooks the carpet and puts it under tension. The tension along with angle of the gripper nails then pulls the carpet down because they point towards the walls and the carpet relaxes as it falls 'down the nails'. (The tops of the nails are further apart than the bottom). Pushing a large flat bladed screwdriver into the corner where the carpet and the bottom of the skirting helps also. Just drag the tip of the screwdriver where the 2 meet. If you have an old house you may have a gap under the skirting. You can sometimes tuck the carpet under this without trimming if your lucky.

If you don't tension the carpet and just tread above the gripper instead, as the carpet pushes down it will compress towards the centre of the room as it slides down the nails. This causes the carpet to spring back again and float up the gripper nails.

It costs nothing to say thankyou!

frugglewump

May I add a related question. If you are removing a section of carpet to add a fitted cupboard etc - is it simply a case of moving the gripper until it is under the new edge and attaching as above?

tru

frugglewump wrote:

May I add a related question. If you are removing a section of carpet to add a fitted cupboard etc - is it simply a case of moving the gripper until it is under the new edge and attaching as above?

Yes

Leave a gap between the gripper and the cupboard, 1cm is about right.

Interest-Ed

:T

Feeling (fairly) geared up to have a go at this job now! Thanks for all your helpful advice.

manic

Thanks for the advice on relaying, BUT prior to relaying my carpet in a hallway, I need to lift it first!

How do I get the carpet up, especially out of the brass transitions at each doorway (there are 6 of them).

economiser

Carpet Lifting? I go to a corner of the room. Grip pile of carpet with a pair of pliers and pull. Once you get a start the rest is just brute force.