The day I stopped stretching carpet like a drum skin

I used to crank my power stretcher so tight the carpet would bounce like a trampoline. Thought it was the only way to get a perfect install with no wrinkles. Then I did a job for a client in Phoenix last summer who complained the seams were splitting after just 3 months. Called a buddy who's been installing for 20 years and he asked, 'How much tension are you putting on that thing?' Turned out I was way over-stretching, which puts too much stress on the backing and causes seam pop. Now I use just enough tension to smooth it out, and I haven't had a callback since. Anyone else learn a hard lesson about over-stretching the hard way?

3 comments

3 Comments

iris_davis9028d ago

You know what nobody mentions is how the humidity in Phoenix plays a role in all that too. Dry heat makes the backing brittle over time, so extra tension just snaps it faster.

the_charles26d agoTop Commenter

Dry heat makes the backing brittle" - that's the truth. My buddy had a bunch of old poster frames in his garage for years, went to finally use them, and the backing just cracked and fell apart when he tried to pull the tension.

martin.paige26d ago

Read somewhere that backing material actually relaxes over time, so cranking it too tight right away is asking for trouble. Better to let the carpet settle for a day or two before going back and tightening it up if needed. Learned that from an old-timer at a supply house who said most new guys don't realize this.