Loose Carpet Edge

Starting at one end of the loose carpet set the head of the kicker about 2 in.

Loose carpet edge.

If the installer has not stretched the carpet tightly enough it may loosen slightly which could cause it to ripple. This old house general contractor tom silva fixes a stairwell tripping hazard. When a wall to wall carpet is installed it must be stretched tightly and then is secured in place with tack strips along the edges of the carpet. From the tack strip and nudge the carpet tight against the wall.

Trim long loose strands. Use the stretcher and board if you have difficulty tightening the carpet with the knee kicker. The most common choices for carpet finishing are binding serging and fringing. See below for a shopping list and tools subscribe to this old house.

Also tuck the edge of the carpet into the space between the wall and the tack strip with a putty knife. Repeat the procedure on the other wall. If you want to make an area rug from a carpet remnant or from a swath of broadloom carpet off a roll there are several options for finishing the edges to prevent fraying. Force the carpet into the tack strip with a stiff putty knife.

Whether the wear and tear on your carpet edging is the result of troublesome pets or rambunctious children frayed edges are an eyesore. Carpet buckling may occur as a result of poor installation of the carpet. Even new clean carpet will look old and worn if the edges aren t properly cared for. There are also a couple of pieces of this carpet placed about the place to cover up some worn areas one big one lives under a table.

Place a knee kicker on the loose carpet at the farthest point from the corner along one wall. Stretch the carpet and work the edge onto the tack strip. Kittens have decided the edges of this loose piece of carpet are fun to play with so now it s losing size with every passing day. Generally speaking however these aren t techniques you can do yourself.

Never pull on a loose carpet thread since this will cause the entire piece to begin.