What is the distance from the bottom room-facing edge of the baseboard to where the wall edge of the carpet strips are tacked down. Medium range nylon carpet, baseboard 7/8 thick about 3/8s to 1/2 inch from floor sheathing, no quarter round. Will have standard foam backing pad. Thanks.
Character? I never had any problem with character. Why, people’ve been telling me I was one every since I was a kid.
Edited 1/9/2003 12:24:41 PM ET by rez
Replies
When I do it, if the base isn't on yet, it's the width of my thumb, if the base is on, it's the width of my little finger. Roughly 3/4" strong vs 3/8" strong. Haven't had any carpet installers come in behind me and gripe . . . yet.
" The State, in choosing men to serve it, takes no notice of their opinions. If they be willing faithfully to serve it, that satisfies." - Oliver Cromwell
What you have to watch out for is that the tackless is too close to the base, and results in a hump in the surface of the carpet at the base when you tuck it in. You can get a bit closer because your base is held up, but don't worry if you install the tackless a 64th or so too far away from the base.
Unless you have a heavy carpet with a stiff back, go 33/64" or more. Watch around door casings, don't crowd them.
Thanks guys. Homeboy's here first attempt at carpet laying and with homemade tools. Is it possible to clamp and stretch tight enough without a kicker? Does the foam underlayment get stapled down?
and I thought I would only have to use the 64ths in my framing techniques. Gee we're turning into a complicated world.
Character? I never had any problem with character. Why, people've been telling me I was one every since I was a kid.
Edited 1/9/2003 7:39:48 PM ET by rez
rez
Don't tell the head honchos at HD but I had one room to lay carpet in a house ago so I bought the kicker from HD...used it and returned it.
Be bad
Namaste
Andy"Attachment is the strongest block to realization"http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Andy,
you know you can rent the damn thing for practically nothing lol?
Cag
Around here its fourty five dollars to rent. All I needed it for was an hour and a half.
a"Attachment is the strongest block to realization"http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Roarez>>>"Is it possible to clamp and stretch tight enough without a kicker?"
Depends, but I doubt it. The question is usually "Can I get the carpet tight enough by kicking it in without a stretcher". If you don't want to rent a kicker, (like $10), make one, and make sure the carpet is warm when you install.
R>>> "Does the foam underlayment get stapled down?"
Yes, unless over a slab, then it is glued.
And no, I don't really know anything about carpet. I just would rather watch people work than actually work myself, so I tend to pick up info.
The correct way is to use a strecher, not a knee kicker or your feet. Many people will use a knee kicker and the carpet will lose the small amount of strech obtained in a hurry. Rent a strecher for about 25.00 and do the job once. Are you seaming the carpet anywhere?
Set the tackless a fingertip away from the wall. That's the scientific method I was taught when cleaning and repairing. Ya need room for the tuck.
And No...you can't stretch it tight enough without the power stretcher. Knee kicks are for tight quarters where the power can't fit......but I also learned that the power stretcher can fit just about anywhere. Just be sure to brace the back end with a 2x if the walls are weak.
Yes....I have seen walls crushed and moved with the power stretcher.
After you rent the power stretch do a little experiment......knee kick a small room first.....get it as tight as ya can.......then before you cut......break out the power stretcher....I bet you get a min 2 to 3 inches more out of it.....depending on the carpet and size of the room.......up to 6 or so inches wouldn't suprise me.
A non stretched carpet will never get fully cleaned. The ply's need to stand at attention for the vac to work. The carpet will also rub back and forth with each step.....and you won't notice till your carpet that shoulda lasted 15 yrs is shot in 5.
But here's the big question.....why U doing it?
I did my 2 small bedrooms up stairs with high quality remnants myself.......
But I refused to carpet the entire downstairs. I've grown a strong hatred toward installing carpets...and the price is install is enough for me to say that's one job I'll sub out!
Have fun with the bloody knuckles! And carrying the damn roll in....and the heating iron....that smell.....yech.
Jeff
Buck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
Well, I've had a small change in venue. The room I planned to carpet is one office/bedroom about 26x15 upstairs with a central chimney. Had multiple rolls for downstairs also. Then decided wood floors and area rugs downstairs was the way to go after learning about dust mites and the like. So I gave the bulk of the rolls away to a family member and now discover I didn't keep enough to cover the whole floor. I tried to roar but couldn't bring one up.
Now a great debate on the office half of the room. When ending a carpet up against the beginning of a similar thickness wood floor is there some kind of joiner strip at the intersection or do you just tack the carpet edge tight and begin the wood floor? Thanks you all.Character? I never had any problem with character. Why, people've been telling me I was one every since I was a kid.
Yeah..there's a gripper type edging. Not sure what the real name is. It's metal.....you cut and fold under...so it tucks underneath..then beat it closed with a mallet.
The carpet if folded over it to make a nice clean edge. Or..there are metal threshold type's that clamp shut and leave the metal exposed. That kind is easier to find..but more for when carpet lays over a hardwood floor or something similar.
Make sure you chack a real carpet supply store.
Let them know what your situation is..they'll know how to handle it. These types of edges are easy to screw up.........that's why I let the guys that do it every day figure it out.
But...not too hard to figure out by yourself if ya like.
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite