DIY Network

Wall-to-Wall Carpet Installation From "DIY to the Rescue" episode DTTR-402F

	Before: Bedroom in limbo
	After: A romantic retreat, with new carpet, lighting and soft shades of blue
	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

After replacing the window, finishing and painting the walls and adding new lighting, the Rescue crew and the Ostolskis install wall-to-wall carpeting to complete the retreat!

Materials:

Awl
Utility knife
Hammer
Tape measure
Row finder
Loop pile cutter
Tackless strip
Carpet padding
Carpet adhesive
Carpet

1. Sweep floor, making sure its dry and debris-free.

2. Nail tackless strip to floor about a 1/4" away from the wall (figure A).

3. Measure length and width of room (figure B), including any entryways or thresholds. Add at least 2" to the dimensions to allow for trimming.

4. Lay and cut padding to sit just inside the tackless strip.

5. Once cut, pull a portion back and pour thin bead of carpet adhesive onto the floor. Roll padding back over the adhesive.

6. Once padding is secured, tape seams with masking tape.

7. Roll carpet onto a flat surface for cutting (figure C). Transfer room measurements to carpet.

8. Use row finder to run the length of your measurements and create a straight line through the carpet's pile.

9. Follow the line with a loop cutter for a straight, clean cut.

10. Place carpet in room, fitting the factory-cut edge against the first wall and fitting the other sides from there.

11. Use carpet knife to cut around any irregular corners of protruding walls.

12. Use a knee kicker to force the edges of the carpet onto the tackless strip. Hook the carpet to the tackless strip starting in one of the corners. Dig the teeth of the knee kicker into the carpet about 1" from the wall. Swiftly kick the cushioned end of the knee kicker with your knee to hook the carpet to the tackless strip (figure D).

13. Trim the excess carpet with carpet knife and tuck it into the wall edge with an awl.

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