How to Install Wall-To-Wall Carpeting | This Old House

This Old House host Kevin O'Connor explains how to install wall-to-wall carpet, including how to handle seams. (See below for a shopping list and tools.)
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Shopping List for How to Install Wall-to-Wall Carpeting:
- carpet tack strips
- carpet padding
- carpeting
- carpet padding adhesive
- latex seam sealer
- carpet sealing tape
- duct tape, used to seal seams in carpet padding
Tools for How to Install Wall-to-Wall Carpeting:
- hammer
- carpet knife
- cushion back cutter, used to trim carpeting for seaming
- knee kicker, used to help attach carpet edges to tack strips
- stair chisel, used for final fitting of carpet along walls
- double-blade wall trimmer, used to trim carpet at walls
- power stretcher, used for stretching carpet tight across floor
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How to Install Wall-To-Wall Carpeting | This Old House
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[@rickybobby7276]

Usually they give the homeowner some trivial little task. This was so hard the homeowner was just there to watch.

[@MukYJ]

That's one job that I'd prefer to leave to the professionals...

[@Wez633]

sadly im a proffesional and to this :(

[@mikedickey4952]

Fucked up my body by 25

[@Spitfire-qx4oe]

@Norman G you have no clue how to install carpet, Don't feed people bad information about how "easy" it is.

[@dfpolitowski2]

Yeah, its a trade. Too much going on here if you want a very good lasting job. If you don't mind imperfections or mistakes, I'm sure a handy guy can do it himself.

[@Spitfire-qx4oe]

@@dfpolitowski2unlike just putting nails in a board, Carpet is one of the rare trades that can't just be done by a novice, properly stretching in a room and seaming take years of learning, i get what your saying though. The youtube video he posted is just bad practices and miss information.

[@MoNeYMlKE420]

I like how he pronounces cahpet and yahn

[@CosmicSeeker69]

Really not sure who this is aimed at... I'm Joe Public looking for understanding, everyone else is a pro.. Sure as Heck I'm not going to but a power stretcher for the odd replacement carpet...

[@__33__33]

Nice job on the install... Poor old guy was so shaky and out of breath... but who would choose that scratchy ugly carpet?

[@nthgcangetmedown4573]

What I learned here is not to try to do it myself

[@stephenjones6030]

Thanks for the video. I hope my carpet installers do the job as professionally as you've done. Monday is the bid day. Afterwards, my wife and I can move back into our condo...after FOUR months (mold issue...).

[@kreasenchetty]

About to have ours done too. Took a risk and bought a plush, thick pile direct from the manufacturer. After 2 months of research and speaking to installers, I realise that it is one of those jobs that require a ton of experience. Understanding the nature of the carpet fibre and weave is crucial to getting a seamless join conforming to the natural direction of the carpet grain. Get it wrong with a pricey mat and you may have replace it all. Good luck

[@DennisMilesEVprofessor]

I recall 40 years ago helping install carpet on several jobs as a "Temp." The boss had a knee injury from using the knee kick for all the stretching instead of the the piwer jack stretcher. I'm glad to see your sub used the right equipment. Back in the early 1970s they didn't use any glue under the pad either, just hoping it didn't shift. Those were times of "Hurry up and get done" so we could do two 2,000 sq. ft. homes each day. Housing was in a "BOOM!"

[@DougCeleste]

NO glue under the pad I am removing and the carpet was laid 40 years ago.

[@luckygnome2746]

My sister was confounded how all of our carpet is connected on the upstairs of our house. She thinks it’s just one big piece because people like you do so a good job in making it seamless. It’s cool to see how you connect two pieces underneath with the glue and hot iron.

[@justjbeats]

finally an actual professional.. great video👍

[@johnsiragusa1462]

if you cut the corners off on a 45 degree angle to the corner it helps for a smooth lay, great job on the use with the power stretcher.

[@rhurac5096]

Should you span the power stretcher across seams? Will the seam adhesive withstand the tension from the carpet stretcher?

[@dinahsaurusvex7325]

You can, you just have to wait for a while until the seam is dry and cold before moving it around. It's what they did in the video the first stretch across, there was a seam on the right side

[@joshsplosh]

If you're thinking of doing this. Save your body, doing this type of work professionally will cripple you. I'm 27 and my back and knees are destroyed, ruined my life, i can't walk long distances and can no longer kneel properly. I've now basically got the body of a 60-70 year old all because of 10 years floor fitting

[@Micah__]

Great work on making the seams seem seamless. Lol

[@Xxmeca421xX]

I'll rebuild my car but to hell with doing this alone. And I don't even like semen

[@rosmob719]

someone get that man a drink!

[@mikedickey4952]

Ross Moberly he is shaking cause of the nerve damage to lower back from being on all 4s all the time

[@dumpsterjason]

No, I think because he sounds out of breath😂

[@Murtagh653]

@@dumpsterjason you can see his hands are shaking when he is showing the tool with a blade that cuts the carpet in a perfect straight line

[@oldscout80]

Your all wrong! I did this for 40 years. He's shaking because of the beautiful home owner in the same room while trying concentrate on getting the job done!!

[@mikeymikieb]

Ha not to sound immature but he said semen tape

[@Xxmeca421xX]

Michael Bush that's funny to me

[@OneAndOnly24]

Seam tape

[@davidgarfinkel7033]

Michael Bush you DO sound immature

[@jimaragon2110]

I had fifteen years of experience installing carpet and I must say, carpet is a pain in the ass to install! Every single day after work, I would need to drink just to kill the pain, I don't miss that shit one single bit!

[@LayneCocaine]

Every carpet installer i ever saw working in the trades seemed miserable or looked like a total heroin junkie

[@911Gameover]

The dude shakes like me when I get pulled over and I have a pound in the trunk

[@fernandozapot6588]

911Gameover It was tough to see I wonder if he is getting the disease

[@dmitrikguajardo6006]

911Gameover the lady was trying to hold back from saying are you sure you should be using that knife

[@ThisReckless]

What did I just watch…

[@lorenzoparedes2306]

There are minor but important steps that need more clarification. People that do something for a living for years think that everyone is familiar with a multistep process that they themselves would do with their eyes closed. Not so.

[@dmitrikguajardo6006]

im 44 years old and ive been doing carpet since 13. thats what i do every day. but try doing it over hard concrete and multiple t seams on some ranch with no drive way and no helper. with furniture and crazy old people.

[@beardman9116]

Dmitrik Guajardo are you sure you're not actually 13?

[@OneAndOnly24]

Sounds like a homedepot problem to me

[@mwanandungu2980]

Sounds like you don't like old people.

[@jonathancowdin3775]

So you not running your company efficiently is supposed to be a challenge to everyone else, don't do carpet alone, it's a bad idea

[@billb6959]

People do all carpet installers a favor and do not and I mean do not put glue down the whole down pad you can use tape that's right you can use masking tape or if you want to use duct tape you can but please do not use glue.

[@heroknaderi]

Good to know

[@Javajoinjun]

I've watched five installs and this is the first one to use adhesive. That was my question all along! I'm definitely using it now. Thanks Kevin O'Connor.

[@catrashoo]

That white glue isn't to keep the carpet seam together, it's actually to prevent the carpet from unraveling , I'm a carpet installer.

[@FinerFlooring]

2:10 Wheres all the semen iron comments?

[@JurassicJolts]

06 6 lmaoooooooooo

[@jonathancowdin3775]

You know, other than not using 6 inch tape for a berber this guy is one of the very few that actually know how to do this right

[@krisone5253]

I love to go barefoot in soft carpet. I also have plush deep rugs. My feets love it! 👣

[@machomanforeverworldchampion]

I still don't get how the power stretcher helps.

[@SoThatsHowYouDoThat]

sounds to me like there are quite a few installers commenting on this video. I guess I will leave my 2 cents. There is more then one way to skin a deer. I don't think this guy has the best methods at all but some of the things you guys have said below are just ridiculous. Double strip. Nah. 4 inch tape? nah. Using a power stretcher? Yes. Stair tool for tucking? NO! glue and tape pad? Yes.

[@vicentegarcia3114]

Hey buddy. just so you know this is carpet installation not laminate. It's not the same.

[@Kbalzkbalz]

Love how they act like they are teaching the female home owner to do this in her entire home herself after they leave....all she did was touch the pole.

[@ccoit]

Giggity

[@edvenuto9614]

I installed carpet for the first time it was a good job. I put all the carpet on floor and cutout the bigger carpet over and over to fit

[@SuperAngelles]

This is a great vid. The guy explainingcthe whats and hows really knows his business. I always wanted to know how carpet stayed in place after so many years of wear and being walked on.

[@davidg8032]

I always wondered why our new carpet bunched up so quickly. Poor installation.... I'm going to be watching these next guys like a hawk. I'm calling our carpet people and telling them they better send out their best installers.

[@JMTZS]

Its easier than it looks

[@keeloe]

I thought that before watching this. Now im not so sure. Are those tools expensive?

[@JMTZS]

Power stretcher is the most expensive $400-$500 Basic tools: Power stretcher Knee Kicker- I recommend the blue one from crain Stair or Step tool Double sided Knife blade For seams: Seaming tape Seam cutter Carpet iron And a flat weight to flatten out the seam Carpet seam roller

[@keeloe]

@@JMTZS thanx for the GREAT info. Im a new home owner and i felt overwelmed after watching this vid. But now im eager to attempt this project.

[@scottb4825]

2019 boys

[@richardinglett6628]

I hate it when they glue the pad. It just makes it more of a hassle to take out later.

[@the_skywire]

I hate carpet. Rip it up and get solid floors.

[@dinahsaurusvex7325]

Solid floors are even more complicated, also they're not poofy and warm like a carpet

[@andrewsine7129]

It's fun tho

[@peppeddu]

Why not tile carpet instead? it's much easier to install and easy to replace a single square if something spills over and you cannot clean it.

[@catrashoo]

Carpet tile is away too expensive.

[@jasonkelso2964]

you always use a power stretcher in all rooms no matter the size a kicker is only to position the carpet

[@mikedickey4952]

Jason Kelso you are correct

[@911Gameover]

Jason Kelso Shh, I make good money restretching let them just use a kicker.

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

Jason Kelso Same here I agree

[@becton98]

No

[@tonybutler9523]

That's not true, I've been a floorlayer for over 30 years, been there done that, been working on prestige tower blocks fitting all types of carpet for two years and have never gone back too restrech a carpet. A carpet kicker can restrech a carpet if you know how too use it to say its just for positioning is nonsense .

[@msbonz4145]

Yes the tools are correct. But their is way more involved. And never stretch width then leingth. And never do hallways last. Always hallways 1st. To stretch all bubbles out to bigger room. When u strethch bigger room with a hall way in center like this room they are showing. You should do a split room stretch to stretch hall tighter. So stretch leingth hall and then width. Secure by setting carpet onto pins. Then stretch out from hall to big room wall 3ft. Set pins. Then stretch big room hall entrance 3 ft of left side of wall and set the whole left back wall set pins. And do the same on right side. Then go back to wall u started out of hall. And stretch slightly angled torward left corner. Set that side of wall. Then go to the 2nd wall and syretch bubble out slightly angleing tirward tge same corner. Now do the same thing on right side. Now you know all magor walk ways are tightest. Its ware traffic causeing friction from walking moving items in and out of major walk area less likely to bubble and creep into big rooms.

[@mikedickey4952]

Getting a little loose with the word never. Alot of the time I like to do the little hall area second soo I can get a good stretch with the power streacher first soo I don't pull a bubble into it after. However I wouldn't if the hallway was carpet too.

[@processpepe4909]

Don't think i've ever read so much jibberish in my whole life...

[@jonathancowdin3775]

He did do a split dumbass and he did secure his hallway first, you wrote all that for nothing

[@hardcandy7112]

back in the 70 ,bought a lg roll of carpet cut and roll out 2 hour done by myself at 18 years of age, this look complicated ,how time change thing .

[@abdulelkhatib2674]

semin ion 2:11

[@Creative_her_gets]

Thanks

[@Guillotines_For_Globalists]

Need a video showing how to install carpeting on a concrete floor, such as in my family room. Existing carpeting from the 1970s appears to have been glued down right to the concrete. Quad level home, basement and sub-basement (family room) both have concrete floors, while the upper 2 levels have wood subfloors.

[@mikedickey4952]

Blaine Bugaski that was concrete

[@Guillotines_For_Globalists]

I see that now. They hammer in a tack strip on concrete? I didn't think they were using concrete nails.

[@mikedickey4952]

Ya. They are jyst little 5/8 conc nails. I prefer pre drilling and using aluminum nails cause I've always put a pretty heavy stretch on. They also have some glues and I have an expensive hot glue gun that is rated for it but nothing holds like the aluminum nails

[@Guillotines_For_Globalists]

My downstairs level carpeting is glued to the concrete. We are having the home measured by a flooring dealer on Tuesday, we are considering just doing a vinyl faux wood down there instead. Can't do laminate because I have occasionally had seepage, tile is too expensive, carpet with padding would just get wet and to be honest I prefer no carpeting because it is so much simpler to keep clean. Put rugs in the areas where you want a soft floor and everything else is nice.

[@mikedickey4952]

Ya. That carpet is called kanga back. Really popular back in the day. Was thought to do better with water and people could do it a little easier their selves. But it well still retain water. I think you have the right idea with the vinyl. I actually have a fake wood vinyl in my sub basement. You could do laminate but if the spot that gets we isn't by a corner repairs can b a hassle. Not to mention the swelling. Some times people will build the floor up a couple inches out of treated lumber. It lets the floor breath and you can put what ever you want on it, but that sounds more involved then you want to get. You could get away with carpet but you'd want to spend a couple extra bucks on the pad to have stain resistance and some mold resistance in it. Rubber pad is best for basements were moister can b a problem. But again.. I think you got the right idea with the vinyl. Maybe a small area of carpet where ever the furniture is. If ya get the opportunity between tare out and install bleaching an older floor that's had water problems is nice. Even a layer of kilz is a bonus. Best of luck.

[@kolochodelrio1234]

Is this really a diy job?

[@aaronwilson9465]

Kolocho DelRio Some people can do it pretty well. I have sucessfully laid a 4m x 4m carpet before.

[@lindalombaard2014]

Great video! Thanks.

[@bodeine454]

Yeah, some of that looks a bit intimidating!

[@hollywoodcarpetman6505]

You don't need to double strip tacklers and concrete floor you take your time and do it right that's wasting time and it's a waste of supplies stop lying to people you you milking the job pal

[@mikedickey4952]

Hollywood carpetman that this strip is ment for cutpile on wood floors. He didn't need to double it up but u are supposed to use at least 3 rows of pins on concrete and even more so on Berber

[@inknzvl]

How many time do I need to stretch ? Just the corners or all the wall ?

[@davidg8032]

Just stretch the areas you don't want buckling.

[@eddielloyd13]

very well put together, great video

[@Utheriss]

in 15 years, this the first time ive seen a power stretcher used on berber in such a small room... was it really nescessary?

[@Xxmeca421xX]

Utheriss maybe just to show how

[@mikedickey4952]

Always supposed too.

[@davewanker4605]

overkill like usual, no you don't need to power stretch

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

Utheriss Always power stretch everything except for small closets on any kind of carpet

[@Alyn4220]

I power stretch everything. except areas it wont fit. If you tried to install that berber with a kicker I guarantee it would need to be re streched shortly after.

[@rl4889]

What beginner is going to attempt to do their first carpet install and deal with seams ? NO ONE

[@processpepe4909]

1. The power stretcher is pointless, does nothing but add time. 2. A kicker is for positioning only? Nonsense. 3. Wall trimmer is again a useless tool adding nothing but time on the job, you have to stop at corners. Put a hooked blade in your knife and just use it. 4. Really man, a cross join in a berber carpet? Tut, tut, tut.

[@chrissharp73]

Process Pepe if you're not using a power stretcher then you my friend are a hack

[@becton98]

Process Pepe you seem to be the only person in these comments that can actually fit carpets

[@jj45455]

A wall trimmer useless? 🤣 it’s so much easier and quicker than using a knife.

[@Dave-xr4iz]

Looks your going to have to find a new helper #trump!! Lol

[@EmoFox9]

trump wants to get rid of 'illegal alien immigrants' i doubt his helper is undocumented.

[@juliof970]

Ha

[@davidgarfinkel7033]

sausage man racist

[@leonardpaulson]

#trumplost LOL!!!