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New Carpet Installation- How to prepare. |  |
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In order to make your new carpet installation go as smooth as possible you can prepare with some of these tips. A little bit of your time will help make things easier for you and your installers.
Before Your New Carpet Arrives
What you do before your new carpet and the installers arrive may be the most important step in the installation process of your new carpet.
Asking questions will help you, and the installer, feel more comfortable with the process and will allow everyone to know what to expect. Ask questions, such as, does the installer pull the old carpet out, will they move out your furniture? Also, check to see if they charge a fee for performing these services.
You may think that you can perform your new carpet installation yourself but it is better for you and the look and wear of your new carpet to get a professional. Also, the warranty on your carpet may only be valid if you use a professional installer. Ask your retailer what you need to do for your warranty. Professional installers have done this work for years and will be able to make your new carpet investment look its best. Visible seams can ruin the look of your flooring and professionals know how to make seams either invisible or less visible. Professionals also realize that sometimes you have to buy extra carpet in order to match seams up.
 Empty out the room or rooms in which the new carpet installation will take place at least the day before the installer arrive. The installer wants to come in and get to work, they don’t want to wait for you to move items out of the room nor should you expect them to do so without asking prior to that day and paying a fee for the service.
The biggest item that should be taken out of the room is the old carpet, if you have not already made arrangements with the installer to do this themselves. The tackstrip (the strips of wood along the edge of the floor with little nails sticking up out of the wood) should be left on the floor but the trim, molding and doors should be removed completely to avoid damage and to make for an easier installation. Your carpet retailer can give you suggestions on the removal and disposal of your old flooring.
Discuss your subfloor conditions with your retailer or installer.You may need to have someone come out before the installation day to see if your subfloor is appropriate or needs to be replaced.
Installation day
On the day that the installers arrive at your home it is important that you be physically available. Take off work that day to be near, though not in the work area, if questions or problems arise that the installer needs your help with. You do not want a decision to have to be made because the installer cannot get a hold of you.
It is important for you to practice safety while the installers are working in your home. Keep children and pets away from the work area. If you have to go into the work area be very careful because of the many tools being used and those that may be laying on the ground.
When the installers complete the project take a walk around the new carpet installation with the installer to check the work and ask any questions you may have.
Living with your new carpet
Ventilation is important, especially if you have a sensitive nose or allergies. Ventilate well after the installation of your new carpet for up to 72 hours.
Shedding and sprouting are normal occurrences with new carpet installation. Shedding is when you find carpet fibers on top of the rug. This just takes vacuuming. Sprouting is when a loose carpet fiber sticks up above the pile, just gently use your scissors to cut the fiber down to the level of the rest of the carpet. Both of these are very common and will go away after a year or two.
Wrinkles or ripples may show up on your carpet and generally means the carpet may not have been stretched well. Contact your retailer or installer about your options when this happens.
You may have to repaint or repair damaged trim or molding and it is common to have to shave the bottom of your doors that may not be able to close with a higher pile floor.
Ask your retailer, or check the manufacturer’s site, on the best ways to clean and keep clean your new carpet investment.
Using these tips will help make your new carpet installation an easier process for you and your installers. After your new carpet is installed check out an area rug to complete your room!
Article Supplied By:
M. Kaye Hash, Co-owner and photographer of the nature photography and Eco-friendly gifts website www.naturesthumbprint.com. She is a contributing editor and co-webmaster at www.mccallsfloormart.com. Melissa has a degree in Art History from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She has been writing and taking pictures since she was young. Melissa is also an avid animal lover and she raises four dogs of her own.
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