To lay carpet properly, follow these key steps:

Preparation

• Clear the room of furniture and remove any old carpet. Clean the subfloor thoroughly by sweeping and vacuuming, and remove any protruding nails or debris to ensure a smooth surface

• Check for hidden pipes or wires with a detector and mark their positions to avoid damage during installation

Install Carpet Gripper and Underlay

• Fit carpet gripper strips around the perimeter of the room, leaving about a 7mm gap from the skirting boards. The angled pins on the gripper should face the wall. Use nails or adhesive for awkward areas

• Roll out floor lining paper to prevent dust and dirt from passing through, then lay the underlay rubber side down, cutting it to fit and taping joints without overlapping

Laying the Carpet

• Roll out the carpet loosely in the room, allowing 50-75mm extra at edges. Square it up and align any patterns if applicable

• Cut vertical lines at corners and trim overlapping triangles so the carpet lies flat

• Use a carpet stretcher (knee kicker) to stretch the carpet onto the gripper strips, starting from the longest wall and working towards the doorway. Hook the carpet onto the gripper and tuck excess carpet between the skirting and gripper using a carpet tucker or chisel

Seaming (if needed)

• For joining carpet sections, place seaming tape under the seam with the sticky side up. Heat a seaming iron and press it onto the tape to melt the adhesive, then press the carpet edges together. Place a heavy object on the seam until the glue dries

Finishing Touches

• Trim excess carpet along edges carefully with a sharp knife, leaving about 5mm above the floor level to avoid cutting too close

• Smooth out any ripples or bumps by walking over the carpet and pushing it into corners

Tools Recommended

• Knee kicker (carpet stretcher)
• Carpet tucker or chisel
• Utility knife with sharp blades
• Hammer and nails or staple gun
• Carpet gripper strips
• Underlay and floor lining paper
• Seaming iron and tape (for seams)
• Knee pads for comfort and safety

Following these steps will help you achieve a neat, secure carpet installation that lasts