The carpet in the master bedroom is about 11 years old. I have another 10 months in the house before we'll be moving. I don't want to put down a new carpet, but I have at least three ripples in the carpet that are anywhere from a foot long to almost 4 feet long. What can I do to get these ripples out?

I also have two more smaller ripples down stairs in seperate rooms that I will attend to if I can find the best/cheepest way to fix them.

Thanks!!!

 

If the carpet is 11 years old, the new homeowner will more than likely replace the carpet first thing. I would not worry about the ripples. Ripples can be stretched out by carpet installer. Again, though, I would not invest in doing this for this age carpet.
The new homeowner can do this if they want to keep the carpet. If it comes up, you can reply, "Oh, my! I thought surely you'd be replacing the carpet." Otherwise, don't mention it.
patricia@www.twelvepole.com

 

Wgkelly15:

You could just sell the house as is, OR you can kick them out yourself. Home Depot rents knee kickers. That's all you need.

Turn the dial on the head until the teeth come out deep enough to dig into the backing. Hold the head of the knee kicker down with your thumbs while you press the carpet down on the tack strips gently with your finger tips. Then, let go with a mighty whumpf.

Actually, you shouldn't kick the carpet as hard as you can. But you should kick it harder than a pro typically will. Kick it as hard as you dare, and you should be OK.

 

Bad advise!!! A kneekicker should never be used to restretch carpets. That is why you have bubbles now. Powerstretching is the only method that will properly stretch carpets.

Carpets without ripples/bibbles will add to your selling price by the amount of a new carpet would cost to install. I know I would haggle for carpet replacement. That could be as much as $3000 and up. It would cost you $2 a yard to have me restretch the wrinkles. And $5 ft for any seams that have to be redone because of the stretching.

Perry Wright
"Carpets Done Wright"

 

Perry,

>>It would cost you $2 a yard to have me restretch the wrinkles. And $5 ft for any seams that have to be redone because of the stretching.<<

Don't forget this is a do-it-yourself forum. People come here to find out how to do these things themselves. Perhaps you could explain how this could be done by the home owner -- you know, tools to rent, tips on how to do it, etc.

R'gards,

Jim
JMFloors

 

Ok Jim,

He needs to rent a powerstretcher and have some fun. Get it back up to the tackstrip, and over about 1/8-1/4 inch, after it is locked on the tacks. Then use the back side of a butter knife and tuck it behind the tackstrip, in the gully. I use a Crain vinyl knife to tuck with, but they are $15.

Perry Wright
"Carpets Done Wright"