Hi - first I've been reading this forum for a while and been very impressed with the brilliant suggestions and help.

I have about a 1,000 feet of Stainmaster texture carpet, low profile. The installer did not use seam sealer. I've experienced fraying at the seems, transactions, and edges. Vacuuming and foot traffic is making the fraying worse.

Is is possible to seal the seams now? How far could I can I safely have a carpet stretched? Would the edges have to be "re-cut"?

I really appreciate the help!

Thanks,
Dan

 

It depends on the damage done. Some seams can be repaired by unhooking the carpet from the tackstrip and creating a peak at the seam. Then adding a seam sealer to stop the damage from getting worse. This fix will not make the seam look better, just stop tuft loss. You can then restretch the carpet back into place.

To recut the seam, you would want more carpet if possible. That way you can cut out the old seam tape completely and start fresh. That would require about 2" cut off each side. 4" is a too much to restretch. That is why you need more carpet for this type of repair.

The last way would be to remove the old seam tape by reheating it. get as much adhesive off as possible. Trim back about 1/2" off each side, seal, reseam and restretch. This works if you have the extra inch to give.

This can be a complicated repair if you don't have the right tools or experience.