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.
![carpet fitter](/assets/img/5-tips-from-a-carpet-fitter-c2m750.jpg)
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.
![safety equipment](/assets/img/5-tips-from-a-carpet-fitter-1-c2m750.jpg)
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.
![carpet fitting tools](/assets/img/5-tips-from-a-carpet-fitter-2-c2m750.jpg)
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.
![carpet fitter](/assets/img/5-tips-from-a-carpet-fitter-3-c2m750.jpg)
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.
![cleaning carpet](/assets/img/5-tips-from-a-carpet-fitter-5-c2m750.jpg)
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.
Land Quotes from Several Carpet Fitters
Finally, if you decide to hire a carpet fitter, you should secure quotes from three or more professionals near you before deciding who to hire.
![blocking up garage for a conversion](/assets/img/5-tips-from-a-carpet-fitter-4-c2m750.jpg)
This way, you can compare their quotes as well as other aspects (e.g. quality of work and how they are rated by prior customers).
If you'd like some more tips from the professionals, check out these guides too:
- Tips from a builder
- Tips from a plumber
- Tips from a painter and decorator
- Tips from an electrician
- 5 tips from a gardener
- 5 tips from a kitchen fitter
- 5 tips from a carpenter
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