Debate: do you stretch the carpet tight or let it relax a bit?

Had a job in a big living room last week where I stretched it super tight like I always do, but the homeowner said it felt too firm underfoot. The other side of me thinks that's how you prevent wrinkles and callbacks... what's your take on how much tension is right?

3 comments

3 Comments

hart.cora21d ago

Yeah but @hollyg59, going overboard tight can actually cause seam peaking or even pull the tack strip loose on bad subfloors down the line. I've seen guys who crank it like a guitar string end up with weird ridges after a season change. Finding that sweet spot where it's snug but not fighting the floor is the real trick.

hollyg591mo ago

Tight all the way, wrinkles come back to haunt you.

masonbell1mo agoMost Upvoted

So you're saying if you go too tight from the jump it's gonna come back and look worse later on? I've heard that about a few different procedures but never really understood why exactly that happens. Is it just the skin stretching back out or something else going on there? Been thinking about getting this done myself but everyone keeps telling me different things about what to expect.