Fitting carpet involves several steps, and securing the edges neatly against the wall is a crucial part of the process. This is often done after the main body of the carpet has been laid and trimmed roughly to size. A key technique involves using specialized tools like a carpet stretcher and a carpet tucker to ensure a taut, professional finish.
Securing the Carpet Edge
Once the carpet is in place, the edges need to be stretched and anchored securely to the gripper rods installed around the perimeter of the room. Gripper rods are thin strips of wood with angled pins that grip the back of the carpet.
Here's how this part of the process works using the reference provided:
- Position the Carpet Stretcher: Take a carpet stretcher – a tool with a padded end for your knee and a head with teeth. Position the head of the stretcher with the teeth facing downwards on the carpet, approximately 25mm (about 1 inch) away from the skirting board (the wooden trim along the base of the wall).
- Stretch and Hook: Firmly push the padded end of the stretcher with your knee. This action causes the teeth to grip the carpet and stretch it towards the wall. The goal is to pull the carpet taut enough to hook it onto the pins of the gripper rods located on either side of where you are working (e.g., hooking it onto the gripper towards the corner).
- Tuck the Excess: After the carpet edge is securely hooked onto the gripper pins, there will likely be some excess carpet edge still sticking up or out. Use a carpet tucker (a flat tool, often with a curved edge) to push this excess carpet down neatly into the gap between the skirting board and the installed gripper rod.
This stretching and tucking process is repeated along the perimeter of the room, working section by section, to ensure the carpet is smooth, tight, and properly anchored around all the edges and corners.
Tools Used
- Carpet Stretcher: Used to grip and stretch the carpet towards the wall.
- Carpet Tucker: Used to push excess carpet neatly into the gap between the skirting board and the gripper.
- Gripper Rods: Strips with pins installed around the room's perimeter to hold the stretched carpet.
- Skirting Board: The trim along the base of the walls, which the carpet is tucked against.
Securing the edges correctly is essential for a durable and aesthetically pleasing carpet installation, preventing wrinkles and movement over time.
