What Are They Doing? Carpet Installation Steps Explained
ShareHiring professionals to install your carpet is definitely the way to go. They have the skills and equipment to do a great job. But if you watch them as they work, you may notice that they do some strange, unexpected things. Don't worry — all of these seemingly weird carpet installation steps are actually normal. Understanding what the steps are and what their purpose is can help reassure you.
1: Installing a Boring-Looking, Flat Layer
You thought you ordered gorgeous carpet, so when you first see your carpet installers unrolling a flat, foam-like piece in bright blue or yellow, you might be a little apprehensive. But have no fear; this is just the carpet pad. It is installed under the carpet in order to make the final result feel softer underfoot. A good carpet pad also helps reduce friction on the backside of the carpet, which will keep your carpet from developing holes and worn patches as it ages. Once the carpet pad is in place, then the carpet installers will start unrolling the actual carpet on top of it.
2: Stretching the Carpet
When you see your new carpet hooked into this machine that seems to be pulling and pulling on it, you may be a little alarmed. However, stretching the carpet is a normal part of the installation process. The installers won't pull it to the point that it breaks. They're just making sure it has a really snug fit, which will prevent it from developing wrinkles and creases as it ages. If the installers were just to tack down the carpet without stretching it at all, the carpet may not lay completely flat, and you may find that it shifts and wrinkles as you walk over it.
3: Sewing the Carpet Edges
If you see your installer sewing together two carpet edges, your assumption may be that they ripped the carpet. But actually, installers often have to sew two pieces of carpet together in order to fully carpet a large room. Carpet rolls only come so wide! As long as your installer sews the carpet properly, you should not be able to tell where the seam is unless you look very, very closely. Installers do try to minimize the number of seams they have to sew because it's hard work, but seams don't make an installation job bad or faulty.
Hopefully, this guide gives you a better understanding of some of the stranger steps your carpet installers take. Contact a carpet installation company to learn more.