Floor upgrades are an integral part of many remodeling projects. It is also advisable to refresh your walls to complete the new look.
Covering a concrete floor with carpet can enhance any space by adding a comforting touch of warmth along with noise reduction. When covering a floor, it is important to make sure that the room is at a comfortable and constant temperature so that all of the materials will lie down smoothly and expansion and contraction will not be an issue.
As long as this one simple precaution is followed, it is possible for carpet to be installed over concrete in as little as one day by following the simple procedure outlined below.
Take Accurate Measurements
The first step toward installing carpet is to measure the room. Square rooms are simple to measure; however, odd-shaped rooms may require some additional math. Remember “measure twice, cut once?”
Once the room has been measured, the numbers can then be used to order the correct amount of carpet and padding to cover the room. Always add 5% to 10% extra to account for cuts. Odd shapes require more.
Check for Moisture
Many buildings have small cracks or leaks that can allow moisture to become trapped in the floor. When carpet is installed, moisture can cause serious problems such as mildew and rot. Therefore, the room should be checked carefully a week or two before laying the carpet. This way, any potential issues can be fixed.
Clean and Prime the Concrete
Before installing the carpet, it will be necessary to clean and prime the concrete. Cleaning can be done using a simple solution of bleach and water. Then, all holes should be filled in using a floor self-leveling compound. Finally, if you suspect that you may have future moisture problems, it is advisable to lay down a moisture barrier. Err on the side of caution.
Cut and Apply a Tackless Carpet Strip
The next step to installing carpet is to attach a tackless carpet gripper strip along one edge of a wall. This strip will then be used to hold the carpet while the rest of the installation is completed.
To cut the carpet strip, use a utility knife with a special carpet cutting blade. Be prepared to change out or sharpen the blade frequently. (This means buy extras.)
Lay Down the Padding and Cut the Carpet
Measure and cut the carpet padding in strips to fit the length of the room. Then, the strips should be placed next to each other as tightly as possible. Use plastic tape to cover the seams.
Using the measurements of the room, the carpet should be cut to fit with about 6 inches of excess carpet around the edges. Like the padding, the seams should be tight. Then, use seam tape to join the pieces together.
Carpet seam tape goes under the seams with the heat-activated adhesive pointed upward. Applying heat to the carpet seams with an iron will cause the tape to adhere.
Secure the Carpet
Once the carpet has been prepared, it will be time to begin securing it over the pad. First, a knee kicker should be used to push the carpet into a corner.
Then, the carpet should be stretched from one wall to another using a power stretcher. Once the carpet is smooth, any excess should be trimmed, and baseboards can be replaced.
If you have pets you need to know that carpet is notorious for harboring fleas. Before you buy chemical pesticides, try these diy home flea control methods. Go here for further information on carpet installation. Now that you have these tips for installing carpet on concrete your DIY project should go much smoother.
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About the Author:
Kelly R. Smith was a commercial carpenter for 20 years before returning to night school at the University of Houston where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science. After working at NASA for a few years, he went on to develop software for the transportation and financial and energy trading industries. He has been writing, in one capacity or another, since he could hold a pencil. As a freelance writer now, he specializes in producing articles and blog content for a variety of clients. His personal blog is at I Can Fix Up My Home Blog where he muses on many different topics.
Kelly R. Smith was a commercial carpenter for 20 years before returning to night school at the University of Houston where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science. After working at NASA for a few years, he went on to develop software for the transportation and financial and energy trading industries. He has been writing, in one capacity or another, since he could hold a pencil. As a freelance writer now, he specializes in producing articles and blog content for a variety of clients. His personal blog is at 
