The benefits of carpet are well-known – comfy, warm, stylish and highly personal. However, all that can be ruined by a bad carpet-fitting job. Laying a carpet correctly is not the easiest task in the world, but if you’re determined to do it yourself, then here are some beginner’s tips for a smooth, level carpet.

The Grippers

There are 2 things that must be done before your new carpet is brought into the room. Firstly, you’ll need to fit carpet grippers to your floor. Grippers are long pieces of wood with pins attached and it’s these that stop your carpet from moving or slipping about. The pins are already attached, so make sure to wear gloves when handling them. Use a cable detector to locate any lurking wires and pipes and mark their position on the floor. The grippers can then be cut to size and secured. You’ll want the angled side towards the skirting board with a 7mm gap between the board and the gripper.

The Underlay 

Once the grippers are in position, it’s time to lay some underlay. Invest in a good quality underlay and your carpet will greatly benefit from it. Laying down some lining paper will also help prevent your underlay from sticking to the floor. This also helps with insulation and will make your carpet more durable in the long run. Regular cleaning will also help make your newly laid carpet stay looking new for longer. For a professional Cheltenham Carpet Cleaning Company, visit http://gnccontractservices.com/ The underlay needs to be placed lightly, rubber-side down, covering the whole area that it is to be carpeted. Make sure there are no gaps and the edges are level with the gripper strips. Don’t overlap any underlay though as this could cause a bump in your carpet.

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Fitting Your Carpet

Now you’re ready for the exciting part. Unrolling the carpet, you’ll want to initially lay it loose on the floor. When cutting to size, if this has not already been done, be sure to leave no less than 5cm of extra around the edges. You will then be able to position the carpet and cut a vertical line down to the corners, trim the overlapping triangles and lay flat onto the gripper. The carpet should be fitted starting at the longest wall and working backwards towards the door. You’ll need a tool called a carpet tucker to form a crease against the skirting board which can then be cut with a Stanley knife. For underneath the doorway, cut the carpet up to the line where it meets the flooring of the next room. The excess can then be pushed underneath a threshold bar across the doorway floor.