To stick carpet back down, especially around edges or where it has come loose from the wall, you typically re-secure it to tack strips using a knee kicker or power stretcher.
Understanding the Tools
Before starting, it's helpful to know the purpose of the key tools involved:
- Tack Strips: Wooden strips with sharp tacks pointing upwards, installed around the perimeter of the room. They grip the back of the carpet to hold it in place under tension.
- Knee Kicker: A short, padded tool with a head of sharp teeth on one end and a padded cushion on the other. You use your knee to strike the cushion, driving the teeth into the carpet and stretching it slightly towards the wall.
- Carpet Tucker/Stair Tool: A flat metal tool used to push the edge of the carpet into the gap between the tack strip and the wall, tucking it securely.
Re-Securing Carpet with a Knee Kicker
This method is commonly used to fix loose edges or ripples in carpet by stretching it and engaging it with the tack strip.
Here are the steps involved:
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Preparation:
- Carefully lift the loose section of carpet from the tack strip.
- Ensure the tack strip is still firmly attached to the floor and the tacks are pointing upwards. Repair or replace damaged sections if necessary.
- Trim any excess underlayment if it's interfering with the tack strip.
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Secure the First Edge: Secure the first edge of the carpet firmly onto the tack strip along one wall. This provides an anchor point.
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Using the Knee Kicker:
- Position the head of the knee kicker about an inch or two away from the wall, ensuring the teeth are firmly gripping the carpet.
- Use one hand to steady and secure the kicker.
- Then drive your knee into it. This action stretches the carpet towards the wall.
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Engage the Tack Strip:
- Immediately after you strike the knee kicker, push down with your free hand against the portion of the carpet between the kicker and the wall.
- This will push the tacks of the tack strip into the carpet, securely gripping it.
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Tucking the Edge:
- Use a carpet tucker or stair tool to carefully push the stretched edge of the carpet down into the gully between the tack strip and the wall. This hides the raw edge and provides a finished look.
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Repeat: Continue this process along the wall, working in sections, stretching the carpet with the knee kicker and tucking the edge until the entire loose area is re-secured.
Other Methods
For small repairs or specific areas like stairs, carpet adhesive can also be used to stick carpet back down. However, for wall-to-wall carpet installation or re-stretching large areas, the tack strip and stretching method described above is standard.
Applying sufficient tension with tools like a knee kicker ensures the carpet lies flat and stays secure against the tack strips.
