5 Tips from a Carpet Fitter

Considering having new carpet added to your home? In this blog, we’ll look at five key tips to consider when it comes to the carpet fitting process, primarily if undertaken DIY but also for those looking to hire a professional.

With the ongoing cost of living crisis, many households are considering undertaking work around the house DIY. Therefore, if thinking of adding a new carpet by yourself it’s important to have a sense of what’s needed and how to perform this work effectively. Without further ado, here are five carpet fitting tips!

Note: If unsure about any aspect or if the work is not DIY friendly due to its complexity or another reason, be sure to hire a professional carpet fitter.

Safety - Equipment and Considerations

First and foremost, you’ll need to think about what safety equipment and safety considerations are required to minimise any hazards when fitting a carpet.

What’s more, taking a safe approach can help lower the risk of problems arising later on, whether it be in relation to the carpet being a hazard (e.g. tripping over a part of the carpet that rises up from not being secured properly) or/and a functional issue whereby you need to hire a professional to come out and redo it.

Key safety equipment for fitting a carpet DIY includes:

Protective gloves
Face mask or respirator *
Protective eyewear
Pipe and cable detector **
Knee pads
Ear protection ***

*You’ll want suitable face masks or respirators for carpet fitting work.

** A pipe and cable detector is important to ensure you do not cut into or otherwise come into contact with pipes or wiring. This is important for DIY carpet fitting to avoid safety hazards.

*** Ear protection will be needed if using loud tools (e.g. power tools).

Get the Right Carpet Fitting Tools

Along with safety equipment, it’s important that you opt for the right carpet fitting tools in general.

Here are some of the most notable carpet fitting tools you’ll need:

Pencil
Drill
Measuring tape
Masking tape
A range of saws
Hammer
Nail gun
Stanley knife
Vacuum cleaner
Carpet stretcher

Prepare For the Project Right

Beyond the points already raised, it’s essential that you prepare for any carpet fitting project correctly. Carefully planning things out is important whether you want to replace a small patch of damaged carpet or install an entire new carpet floor for a room.

Some of the essentials for preparing a carpet fitting project include:

Be sure to opt for the right type of carpeting
Allocate sufficient time to determining the measurements required
Consider the type of underlay needed
Take your time removing the existing flooring or/and underlay
Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully

If unsure about how to install the carpeting, you should consult with a carpet installer or hire one to err on the side of caution.

Ensure You Maintain Your Carpet Well

Even after you’ve installed a new carpet, you’ll want to make sure you maintain it well so that it lasts for many years.

Among the best ways to maintain a carpet include:

Vacuum on a regular basis
Address stains promptly with the right product/approach *
Reducing the risk of damage or staining occurring
Deep clean carpeting about once a year
Establish a culture of stain avoidance in your home

Carpeting generally lasts for around 10-15 years but may last longer if well-maintained. That said, it is best to replace carpeting after it’s worn down from a decade or so of use.