Installation Tips

Preparation, Installation, and Aftercare

Preparing for the Installation

We have some very important Installation Tips so your carpet and flooring installation day will go smoothly. When getting carpet or flooring installed, know what services your installer will provide and which you will need to handle yourself because you want to be prepared. For example, there may be an additional charge to move your furniture. So, here are other some things to keep in mind before and during carpet installation:

• Complete other remodeling projects in the room, such as wallpapering or painting, before installing new carpet.
• Remove all fragile items from the area being carpeted and detach and store wiring from TVs, stereos, VCR/DVD, and computers so they don't get damaged.
• Vacuum the old carpet because you want to avoid the possibility of airborne dust and dirt. After the old carpet and cushion are removed, vacuum the sub-floor as well.
• Determine who will remove and dispose of the existing carpet and padding. Check recycling options in your area.
• Check your new carpet (texture, color, and style) to make sure there are no visible defects before installation.
• Ask that seams be placed where they can't be seen.  Don’t expect seams to be invisible.
• Insist that the installer follow the instructions from the carpet manufacturer and/or those outlined in the CRI Installation Standard. Among other things, this standard requires that carpet must be power-stretched for proper installation to minimize wrinkling and rippling. Seam edges must be sealed with an appropriate adhesive to prevent it from falling apart and edge ravel.
• Finally, it is your responsibility to provide an adequate supply of fresh air during installation. Open windows and doors, use an exhaust fan or operate the fan of your heating or air conditioning system. The “new carpet smell” will clear very quickly, usually in less than 72 hours.

After the Installation

In the months following installation, you may notice some changes in your carpet. Most of these are normal and will not affect the carpet’s life or beauty. How to break in your new carpet over time:

If you have any additional questions, contact your retailer and/or the carpet manufacturer.

• Shedding – The shedding of loose fibers is normal and should subside with regular vacuuming.
• Sprouting – If a single tuft extends beyond the carpet’s surface, simply clip it off. Do not pull it out.
• Pile reversal or shading – This seeming color change may occur in various parts of the carpet, caused by light being reflected in different ways as pile fibers are bent in different directions. This is a characteristic of plush carpet, not a defect.
• Wrinkling – If ripples occur, call your retailer. It may be necessary to professionally restretch the carpet.

The Benefits of the Different Types of Installation:

Stretch-In Installation:  

This installation may be used for the following reasons:

• Underfoot comfort enhancement and acoustical properties (higher noise reduction) when installed with a separate cushion
• Thermal insulation increase (R-value)
• For use over floors unsuitable for glue-down
• Corrective measures, i.e. seam repair may be easier to perform
• Removal costs are less than the removal of the adhered installation

Avoid stretch-in installations in the following:

• Ramps and inclines
• Where office systems furniture and demountable partitions are utilized
• Where there is a likelihood of heavy rolling traffic
• When the carpet has unitary backing or other backing systems designed for glue-down installation only

Direct Glue-Down Installation:

• For rolling traffic and ramp areas
• Since there is no vertical flexing, seams are more durable
• Minimized buckling in buildings that have HVAC systems turned off  for extended periods
• No re-stretch situations
• Facilitates access to electrical and telephone lines under the floor
• Eliminates incidences of seam peaking
• No restrictions to the area size
• Intricate borders and inlays are possible
• Mostly less expensive

Double Glue-Down Installation:

Double glue-down installation combines the stability of direct glue-down with the cushioning benefits of a separate cushion, stretch-in installation as follows:

• Carpet appearance retention improvement, as well as underfoot and overall performance
• Carpet bordering and inlaying simplified
• Suitable for wheeled traffic areas
• No restrictions on area size