How to Install Carpet on Concrete (Basement)
Measure the room to be carpeted., Bring any drape or paint samples to the carpet dealer for comparison., Prepare for the dealer's questions., Select a carpet that will stand up to the concrete., Decide on a style of carpet., Completely empty the...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Measure the room to be carpeted.
Take these measurements to your carpet dealer to make sure you get an ample amount of carpet for your job.
Be sure to tell them that you are carpeting over concrete since that requires different carpet material as well as slightly different tools than carpeting over wooden surfaces. -
Step 2: Bring any drape or paint samples to the carpet dealer for comparison.
If you've already painted the walls or planned for any other decorating in the room, take in some samples of the colors so you can make an informed choice at the store. , Typically, you'll be asked some basic questions about the room and your intended use for the room.
These questions are designed to help you pick the most appropriate carpet, and are good questions to ask yourself anyway.
It helps to give some thought beforehand so you don't have to make a hasty decision.A dealer may ask:
Are there a lot of windows in the room? Will there be heavy or light traffic in the room? Do you have kids or pets? Is there direct access from outside? How large is the room? Dealers will also typically try to sell you on Stainmaster, Teflon, and Anti-Static technology at various levels of expense to you.
Remember, the decision's up to you.
Get something that'll serve your purpose, but don't get pushed into expensive options you don't want. , Make sure the entire carpet is constructed of synthetic products only.
Some carpet is backed with jute, which is too absorbent to use on concrete.
If you're not going to install your carpet on a subfloor, you'll need to make sure that you're picking a kind of fiber that will stand up to concrete's tendency to collect moisture.
Consider carpet made from olefin face fiber.
A chemical-resistant fiber that will stand up to aggressive cleaning solutions like bleach, this might not be the softest or most attractive carpet, but it will last., You can choose between patterned or solid carpet, as well as a light or dark color.
You can also choose tight or loose fiber loops and pick between a solid or mesh subsurface.
Typically, the carpet rule of thumb is that light carpet can seem to create more space in a smaller room, while a darker shade of carpet can add coziness to a bigger space. , Remove all furniture as well as anything else that rests on the carpet. , Any drainage issues in the room you're planning to carpet need to be addressed before carpeting.
Ignoring the problem now could result in a costly and expensive project down the road, especially if you end up with harmful mold and end up having to tear out the carpet and repeat all your hard work.
Rent or buy a moisture reader to test the humidity yourself.
You should do this a week or more prior to carpet installation day to allow plenty of time for the waterproofing to be done. , Carpeting is a chemical soup full of solvents.
Allowing it some time to air out will cut down on fumes when you install it. , You might have to sand down, or use a saw to undercut, the bottom of the doors and trim door jambs to ensure smooth closing after the carpet installation. , You may need to remove the baseboards in order to install your carpet.
Alternatively, the carpet may fit under the baseboards; in that case you can leave them in place. , Before the surface dries, fill in any holes or cracks, making sure the top of the repair is level with the rest of the concrete surface.
Small cracks and fractures can be fixed using a cement based, waterproof filler (e.g., Armstrong 501). , Be sure to let the product dry, then sand and smooth the surface. , Follow the washing with a mold and bacteria killing solution of 1 part household bleach to 15 parts water.
Rinse thoroughly with clean water. , For about 48 hours prior to and after installation, the temperature should stay between 65°F and 95°F (18°C and 35°C) and humidity between 10% and 65%.
By observing these conditions, your carpet installation should go smoothly. , Cut a piece of tack strip the length of one wall, and attach it to the floor with masonry nails.
The tack points should be facing the wall.
You should also use a liquid nail glue along with the nails for a secure fit.
Leave a gap the thickness of the carpet's pile between the gripper strip and the wall.
This is where you will tuck the edges of the carpet during installation.
Tack strip is also known as gripper rod (UK), carpet gripper, Smooth edge (Can), tack strip, and gripper edge.Alternatively, you can use glue-down carpet, rather than tack strips. , Cut padding strips the length of the room, and place them side by side across the room.
Keep your rows abutted, and cover seams with duct tape.
Trim any excess with a utility knife.
Apply glue to the corners as well as to various spots throughout the body of the padding. , Patterns have to match in length to hide seams.
Place seam tape, adhesive side up, where pieces abut.
Use a steam iron to activate the adhesive and join the pieces together. , Using the power stretcher, stretch the carpet across the room to the opposite wall.
Hook the carpet onto the tack strip.
Continue this until the carpeting is smooth and flat.Generally, you'll work from the centers of each wall toward the corners.
As a novice, you might want to avoid using a power stretcher, since they can overstretch or even rip carpet.
They are hydraulic, heavy, and very expensive. , Cut off excess carpet, and push carpet behind tack strip, using a wide blade putty knife if necessary.
Cover edge of carpeting at doorways with metal door jambs and replace doors.
Finish off with baseboards of your choice. -
Step 3: Prepare for the dealer's questions.
-
Step 4: Select a carpet that will stand up to the concrete.
-
Step 5: Decide on a style of carpet.
-
Step 6: Completely empty the room.
-
Step 7: Check the room for moisture problems.
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Step 8: Air out the carpet out before installation.
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Step 9: Remove any doors for ease of installation.
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Step 10: Lift any baseboards.
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Step 11: Fill in any cracks or imperfections in the surface.
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Step 12: Use a leveling product to flatten any low spots in the slab.
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Step 13: Clean the concrete thoroughly
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Step 14: using the appropriate cleaner for the stains you find.
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Step 15: Control the temperature in the room.
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Step 16: Lay the tack strip.
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Step 17: Lay padding strips.
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Step 18: Cut carpet to size
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Step 19: allowing approximately 6 inches (15.2 cm) excess all around.
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Step 20: Lay carpet out and use a rented knee kicker to force the carpet into the far corner.
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Step 21: Finish the edges.
Detailed Guide
Take these measurements to your carpet dealer to make sure you get an ample amount of carpet for your job.
Be sure to tell them that you are carpeting over concrete since that requires different carpet material as well as slightly different tools than carpeting over wooden surfaces.
If you've already painted the walls or planned for any other decorating in the room, take in some samples of the colors so you can make an informed choice at the store. , Typically, you'll be asked some basic questions about the room and your intended use for the room.
These questions are designed to help you pick the most appropriate carpet, and are good questions to ask yourself anyway.
It helps to give some thought beforehand so you don't have to make a hasty decision.A dealer may ask:
Are there a lot of windows in the room? Will there be heavy or light traffic in the room? Do you have kids or pets? Is there direct access from outside? How large is the room? Dealers will also typically try to sell you on Stainmaster, Teflon, and Anti-Static technology at various levels of expense to you.
Remember, the decision's up to you.
Get something that'll serve your purpose, but don't get pushed into expensive options you don't want. , Make sure the entire carpet is constructed of synthetic products only.
Some carpet is backed with jute, which is too absorbent to use on concrete.
If you're not going to install your carpet on a subfloor, you'll need to make sure that you're picking a kind of fiber that will stand up to concrete's tendency to collect moisture.
Consider carpet made from olefin face fiber.
A chemical-resistant fiber that will stand up to aggressive cleaning solutions like bleach, this might not be the softest or most attractive carpet, but it will last., You can choose between patterned or solid carpet, as well as a light or dark color.
You can also choose tight or loose fiber loops and pick between a solid or mesh subsurface.
Typically, the carpet rule of thumb is that light carpet can seem to create more space in a smaller room, while a darker shade of carpet can add coziness to a bigger space. , Remove all furniture as well as anything else that rests on the carpet. , Any drainage issues in the room you're planning to carpet need to be addressed before carpeting.
Ignoring the problem now could result in a costly and expensive project down the road, especially if you end up with harmful mold and end up having to tear out the carpet and repeat all your hard work.
Rent or buy a moisture reader to test the humidity yourself.
You should do this a week or more prior to carpet installation day to allow plenty of time for the waterproofing to be done. , Carpeting is a chemical soup full of solvents.
Allowing it some time to air out will cut down on fumes when you install it. , You might have to sand down, or use a saw to undercut, the bottom of the doors and trim door jambs to ensure smooth closing after the carpet installation. , You may need to remove the baseboards in order to install your carpet.
Alternatively, the carpet may fit under the baseboards; in that case you can leave them in place. , Before the surface dries, fill in any holes or cracks, making sure the top of the repair is level with the rest of the concrete surface.
Small cracks and fractures can be fixed using a cement based, waterproof filler (e.g., Armstrong 501). , Be sure to let the product dry, then sand and smooth the surface. , Follow the washing with a mold and bacteria killing solution of 1 part household bleach to 15 parts water.
Rinse thoroughly with clean water. , For about 48 hours prior to and after installation, the temperature should stay between 65°F and 95°F (18°C and 35°C) and humidity between 10% and 65%.
By observing these conditions, your carpet installation should go smoothly. , Cut a piece of tack strip the length of one wall, and attach it to the floor with masonry nails.
The tack points should be facing the wall.
You should also use a liquid nail glue along with the nails for a secure fit.
Leave a gap the thickness of the carpet's pile between the gripper strip and the wall.
This is where you will tuck the edges of the carpet during installation.
Tack strip is also known as gripper rod (UK), carpet gripper, Smooth edge (Can), tack strip, and gripper edge.Alternatively, you can use glue-down carpet, rather than tack strips. , Cut padding strips the length of the room, and place them side by side across the room.
Keep your rows abutted, and cover seams with duct tape.
Trim any excess with a utility knife.
Apply glue to the corners as well as to various spots throughout the body of the padding. , Patterns have to match in length to hide seams.
Place seam tape, adhesive side up, where pieces abut.
Use a steam iron to activate the adhesive and join the pieces together. , Using the power stretcher, stretch the carpet across the room to the opposite wall.
Hook the carpet onto the tack strip.
Continue this until the carpeting is smooth and flat.Generally, you'll work from the centers of each wall toward the corners.
As a novice, you might want to avoid using a power stretcher, since they can overstretch or even rip carpet.
They are hydraulic, heavy, and very expensive. , Cut off excess carpet, and push carpet behind tack strip, using a wide blade putty knife if necessary.
Cover edge of carpeting at doorways with metal door jambs and replace doors.
Finish off with baseboards of your choice.
About the Author
Samuel Griffin
Writer and educator with a focus on practical crafts knowledge.
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