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botched carpet fitting
ajds
Posts: 6 Forumite
I bought a cheapish felt backed carpet from eBay a few weeks ago to go in the bedroom of my flat. The previous resident had left underlay and grippers down, so I was just going to be cheap and fit it myself.
After a couple of attempts at getting a nice edge, I was having trouble getting the carpet near the wall to lay flat. I remembered a friend telling me he has a carpet stretcher thingy so I decided to ask him to do it for me.
3 weeks of delays later, he comes round without the stretcher and with 2 knifes with a single blunt blade between them. My cheapo snappable blade was "too weak" apparently, until he gave up with his towards the end and discovered mine "cuts like butter"... Right through the carpet and underlay to make a lovely 2 foot gash in front of the door. :mad:
In addition to that, the edges are all ragged, with no overlap to tuck them down bewteen the gripper and skirting.
My friend reckons that the carpet will stretch out over a couple of months and can be cut in again more neatly. I've also heard that felt back carpet doesn't stretch though, so I dunno what to think on that front?
As for the gash, I'm worried that since it's in the highest traffic area it might seperate into a big hole/trip hazard. (I'm more concerned that tripping will rip it rather than for anyone's safety
) Any suggestions on how I can prevent this getting worse?
I was thinking of either stitching it up or getting some carpet tape and just fixing it one sided to the back. Or maybe both.
After a couple of attempts at getting a nice edge, I was having trouble getting the carpet near the wall to lay flat. I remembered a friend telling me he has a carpet stretcher thingy so I decided to ask him to do it for me.
3 weeks of delays later, he comes round without the stretcher and with 2 knifes with a single blunt blade between them. My cheapo snappable blade was "too weak" apparently, until he gave up with his towards the end and discovered mine "cuts like butter"... Right through the carpet and underlay to make a lovely 2 foot gash in front of the door. :mad:
In addition to that, the edges are all ragged, with no overlap to tuck them down bewteen the gripper and skirting.
My friend reckons that the carpet will stretch out over a couple of months and can be cut in again more neatly. I've also heard that felt back carpet doesn't stretch though, so I dunno what to think on that front?
As for the gash, I'm worried that since it's in the highest traffic area it might seperate into a big hole/trip hazard. (I'm more concerned that tripping will rip it rather than for anyone's safety
) Any suggestions on how I can prevent this getting worse?I was thinking of either stitching it up or getting some carpet tape and just fixing it one sided to the back. Or maybe both.
0
Comments
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Spray-on carpet glue (on the underside!) and maybe put a rug over it?0
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Bite the bullet, accept that the carpet is ruined and buy another one and get it fitted properly.
Olias0 -
Aren't there special grippers for felt backed carpet with underlay ? Or if there is no underlay, use double sided tape ?0
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There is a saying: "Pay cheap and you pay twice". It would have only cost £30 - £40 to get it fitted properly.
This is the worst thing about getting 'mates' to help you out - when something goes wrong, you don't have a leg to stand on.
Olias is right - get it done again and don't be tight.Eat vegetables and fear no creditors, rather than eat duck and hide.0
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