Getting parts of your home updated is a very exciting process! However, along with that excitement is usually preparation. One of the best examples of this is the installation of a new carpet. The better the installation goes, the longer it will last, and carpet installation isn't something you want to do frequently. We have researched the best preparation and aftercare for carpet installation to save you as much stress as possible.
There are several steps that you can perform before and after carpet installation. The steps that you will want to take may depend on everything that your individual installer covers.
Before installation
- Talk to your installer
- Make sure everything will be working for the installers
- Move your furniture
- Remove wall decor
- Consider removing the old carpet
- Decide if you should remove the molding and trim
- Check if any doors will hit the new carpet
After installation
- Check your air filter
- Check that your doors work properly
- Make necessary adjustments to furniture
- Review guidelines and maintenance for the new carpet
Carpet installation is not only a big deal, but it is also usually expensive. With that kind of money on the line, you want everything to go perfectly. Considering all of that is more information that you may want. Make sure to keep reading below to learn about each step in detail for your best chances of success!
Preparation And Aftercare For Carpet Installation
There are some parts of having carpet installed that may be obvious. Like having to move your furniture so that the installers get to your flooring. Other parts may not be as obvious, like worrying about if the bottom of your doors will hit the new carpet once it's installed.
Before Installation
1. Talk To Your Installer
This might seem obvious, but it's a very important step. You need to clearly understand everything that your installer will be doing before they do it. Different companies cover different services while installing carpet. Some will remove all of your furniture for you, while others require that the room be empty when they arrive.
This is just one example of how installers can differ. That's why you need to have a clear conversation with them to know exactly what they will be doing. Because whatever they don't do, you will need to.
2. Make Sure Everything Will Be Working For The Installers
The second preparation step also seems obvious, but it may not be in every situation. The installers will need working electricity to do their jobs. It's also important that there is working plumbing and water in the building for obvious reasons.
These things are most likely already working properly in an occupied home. However, if the installation is taking place in a home that's being renovated or built, it may not be as likely. Whatever the case, you need to make sure that they are available when the installers arrive.
3. Move Your Furniture
As stated above, some installations come with furniture removal, and some do not. You might want to consider moving your things on your own regardless. One reason is that it will make the job go faster. If the room is cleared and ready to go when they arrive, then they can get right to work on the carpet and be out of there sooner.
Even if you don't want to deal with moving the big furniture out of the installation space, you might want to move your smaller items. Things like lamps, knick-knacks, and plants might easily get broken. If the installers have to move every single item from the area, then the job will take longer, but it might also cost more.
4. Remove Wall Decor
This step is very similar to the last one but is easier to forget about. You might not think that you need to take your wall decor down for the installation. After all, it's on the walls, not the floor. However, there is no guarantee that these items won't get damaged during the installation. Installing carpet is often very dirty work and can kick up all kinds of stuff that can settle on your wall decor. Wall hangings can also easily get bumped or knocked down during the installation. To ensure their safety and cleanliness, they should be removed before installation!
5. Consider Removing The Old Carpet
Most companies will rip up the old carpet and remove it for you as part of the installation. However, some do charge extra for this service. In those instances, removing the old carpet yourself could save you a good chunk of change. Not only that, but it will make the installation go faster! You will have to figure out how to dispose of the old carpet though, so that is a consideration when choosing to do this.
6. Decide If You Should Remove The Molding And Trim
During the process, the installers will remove any molding or trim along the floor so that they can properly place the new carpet. However, they usually work very quickly and often carelessly when removing these pieces.
This thin wood can easily break or get damaged from the rough removal, and you'll have to deal with replacing them. For this reason, you might want to remove any molding and trim beforehand. It could save you a headache later on.
7. Check If Any Doors Will Hit The New Carpet
This is arguably the least obvious thing to think about when having carpet installed. A lot of times, new carpet and padding are thicker than what was already on the floor. This added thickness can make the bottom of any doors over the installation area hit the new carpet and cause an issue. That is not only inconvenient but can also damage your brand new carpet!
You should find out how thick the new carpet and padding will be so that you can measure the clearance under the doors. If the doors are going to hit, then they will either need to be removed or cut. You can do this yourself to save some time and stress. Doing all of this before the installation will make the process go that much smoother.
After Installation
1. Check Your Air Filter
This has less to do with your new carpet and more with the health of your home after the installation. Carpet installation can be very dirty work. When all of that dirt gets kicked up into the air, it has to go somewhere, usually into your vents and air filter. Make sure to check to see if your air filter needs to be changed after the installation because chances are that it will be dirty.
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2. Check That Your Doors Work Properly
Hopefully, this isn't an issue if you checked and took care of any door problems before the installation. Even if you are prepared for this, you should still make sure that they're opening and closing without obstruction. Measurements can always be off after all!
3. Make Necessary Adjustments To Furniture
This aftercare step just applies to your bigger pieces of furniture that will go on the new carpet. The bottoms or feet of some furniture may damage your new carpet if it's a different type from what you had before.
It's important to talk to the installer about this so that you can properly prepare for it. Replace any troublesome feet on your furniture before placing them on your new carpet to avoid any damage.
4. Review Guidelines and Maintenance For The New Carpet
New carpet can also mean new responsibilities. It's going to need cleaned and maintained more often than your old carpet. This is to stop it from quickly wearing out and getting to a place where it needs to be replaced! Review all of the proper care information available from the carpet manufacturer for the best results.
More Carpet Installation Thoughts
Knowing how to properly prepare for and take care of new carpet is great, but being prepared for that and any questions that might come up is even better!
How Do I Prepare My New Carpet For Installation?
If you purchased your carpet from a company that is also installing it for you, then you shouldn't need to worry about this. They will make any necessary preparations to the new carpet.
If the carpet was purchased and is in your home while you wait for the installation, all you really need to do is make sure that it is not damaged in any way. Before you picked up your carpet, the company you bought it from should have checked it for any damage or malfunctions while they cut it.
Should I Vacuum Before Carpet Installation?
Vacuuming a carpet that's about to be removed might seem redundant, but you may want to consider doing it. The main benefit of this is to help cut down on the mess during installation.
Usually, tearing up the old carpet releases tons of dust and dirt into the air, a lot of which is from inside that carpet. So, cleaning it first will help reduce how much dirt will have to be dealt with during the process.
Can Carpet Be Laid Without Moving Furniture?
In some instances, yes, carpet can be laid without completely removing the furniture from the room. Some machines and techniques can achieve this. However, most installers still prefer to do it the old-fashioned way and have all of the furniture removed, and this isn't practical for all situations. It really only works for modular furniture.
So, if you want the installation to take place with the furniture still intact, just make sure to talk to installers and find one that has the proper equipment to possibly do the job.
Do Carpet Fitters Take Up Old Carpet?
Installation does generally include the tearing up and removal of the old carpet. However, in a lot of cases, this service does add to the price of installation so you might want to consider removing it yourself if it is practical.
Can You Carpet One Room At A Time?
Yes, you can usually have the carpet installed one room at a time. This is useful for those who want the entire installation to be spread out for one reason or another. As always, just make sure that you talk with your installers first to make sure that they are ok with doing this as situations do vary.
How Much Do Carpet Layers Charge?
As with any home improvement project, the price can vary wildly depending on a wide variety of factors. However, according to this cost of carpet article, the price for just the installation is usually 0.50$ to 1$ per square foot. That is only for the installation, not the cost of the carpet. With the cost of purchasing the carpet, the average amount spent is usually between $4 to $11 per square foot.
Is Home Depot Carpet Installation Really Free?
According to this carpet installation services page on Home Depot's website, the service is free with a minimum purchasing amount of carpet. There are some restrictions to the deal. For example, it is only for single-family residential homes, and the cost of moving the furniture may be extra. Make sure to completely review the deal or talk to an associate for the full details.
What Should I Check After Installing Carpet?
After the installation is over, you may want to check over the area to make sure that there are no issues. Some things to look for would be any wrinkles, folds, or dips in the carpet. You may also want to check the seams, edges, and stair liners to make sure that they are properly connected and look properly done.
How Long Do You Have To Wait To Put Furniture On New Carpet?
The generally agreed amount of time to wait before putting your furniture on your new carpet is 24 hours. The main reason for this is so that the glue can properly dry. Any furniture placed on the carpet before this time could cause wrinkles or folds in the carpet, and it will dry that way and cause a huge headache later on.
Does Carpet Have To Sit After Installation?
The new carpet should sit after installation for at least one entire day. This will allow the glue to dry so that the carpet can not be messed up. However, it is recommended to walk on your new carpet at this time to help adhere the glue to the carpet.
Finishing Up
Depending on the circumstances of your installation, there may be a lot, or a little, that you'll want to do to prepare for and take of the new carpet. The most important step is to talk to your installers. They will let you know exactly which steps you need to take before and after the installation. All that's left now is for you to pick out your new carpet!
To learn more about the best ways to deal with carpet, check out the links below!
10 Of The Best Tools For Cutting Carpet