Every time we plan on shifting or renovating, we have all found ourselves wondering if the carpet can be relaid. Relaying your current carpets can save you from the trouble of buying new ones.
Carpets can very well be relaid and it is a really good way of saving money while simultaneously reducing waste. Relaying a carpet in a new place is not very different from buying a carpet and putting it out the very first time.
In this article, we are going to discuss the steps involved in the process of relaying a carpet, its benefits, and its drawbacks.
Removing the Carpet
The first step that needs to be taken is removing the carpet from its current position. You need to lift the carpet up using a pair of pliers. Make sure this is done gently or the carpet might tear apart.
Secondly, you need to make use of a screwdriver and pliers to take off all the staples on the carpet pad if you want to reuse them.
Relaying the Carpet
- Before relaying the carpet in a new place, make sure to clean it first by following the carpet manufacturer’s instructions.
- Then put down tack strips, which help in holding the carpet in a single place and stop it from moving.
- The next step is centered around cutting the carpet pad into the relevant size. The size that you cut the carpet pad in should depend on the size of the area where the new carpet will be relaid.
- This carpet pad will then be placed within the boundaries of the tack strips. Most people usually staple the pad on floors.
- Once you are relaying the carpet in a new place, it would need to be altered according to the size of the new room. Make sure you take appropriate measurements and cut the carpet accordingly.
- After this, you can easily relay your carpet and secure its position by using new kickers or staples.
Preventing Carpet Seams
The appearance of carpet seams is very likely while relaying carpets. The best way to stop a noticeable seam is to ensure the alignment between the two pieces of carpet is completely perfect. This can be done by leaving two pieces of carpet overlying by a few inches.
You can also hide seams beneath the furniture of the room or another way to keep them out of sight can be placing them away from main traffic areas.
Restretching
It is always better to restretch a carpet that has been used previously to give it a new look. Since relaying carpets can mean the measurement of the carpet might not be the exact same as the new room, restretching can tighten the carpet out and will prevent soil and dust from settling in different areas of the carpet.
The process involves applying multi-directional tension to a carpet in an attempt to straighten and smooth it out. This will give the room a well-maintained look and enhance the visual appeal of the house.
Benefits and Drawbacks
Relaying a carpet can be a good way of saving up costs during shifting or renovation. Moreover, it is better to reuse a carpet since you would be well aware of how you are supposed to clean it and the dos and don’ts of that carpet.
Even though relaying carpets has its benefits, sometimes a better option can be to simply buy a new one. Moving to a new place means getting a fresh start and taking a previously used carpet might not feel like something you want to do.
Other than that, it is very difficult to entirely clean a previously used carpet and ensure all the dirt and marks on it are cleaned. It can a hassle for most people and probably this is why they prefer buying a new one.
General Tips
There are a few general things that need to be kept in mind when you are relaying carpet. Over the course of time, carpets begin to develop wear patterns as a result of varying foot traffic. So, relaying your carpet in a different space could potentially mean having an uneven surface.
Apart from that, if you are not very confident about your ability to re-lay carpet and the carpet needs to be placed in a difficult space like stairs, it is best to hire professional installers.
Conclusion
You can very easily relay a carpet if you make sure to follow all the relevant instructions. This process requires some effort considering you not only need to remove the carpet from its previous position but also have to relay it while ensuring it does tear or scratch from any place.
Even though the process looks a bit daunting, relaying carpets is a popular practice carried out all over the world owing to how it helps in saving money and also plays its part in reducing waste.
If your carpet is not very old and still gives off an elegant vibe, we would definitely suggest relaying a carpet instead of buying a new one.
Take a look at other related topics here:
FAQs
Q- Can I install carpets without tack strips?
A- You can install carpets without tack strips, but that would mean having to use alternatives such as tapes, staples, and underlays.
Q- How do I lay the carpet over a carpet pad?
A- When you lay the carpet over the carpet pad, make sure its seams are perpendicular to the seams of the padding. A carpet trimmer needs to be used to cut the carpet pad to adjust according to the room’s length.
Q- How can I safely remove carpet from concrete?
A- You can remove your carpet by cutting it into manageable strips that are about 12-20 inches wide. The strip will then be rolled onto itself and when it becomes too big to manage, you will cut it to remove it from the surrounding carpet. This step will be repeated for all strips until the carpet is completely removed.
Q- Is carpet stretching worth it?
A- Yes, carpet stretching is absolutely worth it since it greatly extends the lifespan of the carpet. It makes the carpet look new and also reduces your chances of slipping and in turn falling on the carpet.
