Carpet installation

Tack strips Tack strips are slats of wood nailed to the floor around the outside edge of the area where the carpet will be installed. Each strip has angled pins sticking off the top designed to catch hold of the carpet and keep it in place, allowing it to be stretched tight into position. Knee-kicker The knee kicker is also called a carpet stretcher. It’s about a foot and a half long and has teeth at one end that grip the carpet. The installer sets the Kicker onto the carpet and strikes the pad at the other end with one knee. This pushes the carpet forward, stretching it into place taught on the pins of the tack strip. Seam roller The seam roller is a spiked cylinder with a handle, a bit like a small paint roller. The installer uses this tool to press down on the seam between two pieces of carpet, attaching them to the adhesive strip underneath. This creates a tight seam which is essential to the life of the carpet, especially in high-traffic areas like doorways or stairs.

Preparation is important for a successful carpet installation. You should consult with your Great Western Flooring Co. specialist for full instructions, but there are steps you can take to help the process go smoothly. At Great Western, we offer full scope of removal and preparation services and always consult with our customers to find the right scope of work for each project. We can remove old flooring, prepare the exposed surface for installation, and move furniture and other heavy household items!

During and after your installation

A member of your household 18 or older should be available to greet the installation crew and show them the work area. For everyone’s safety and to help the project go smoothly, keep children and pets away from the work area until the job is done. Feel free to ask your lead installer any questions you might have about the finished product and get recommendations for resuming the use of your newly carpeted rooms.