How To Use A Power Stretcher

Whether you are stretching an older carpet or laying a new one, a carpet power stretcher proves a great tool in laying the carpet flat and preventing it from buckling. Any room that is greater than 10 x 10 foot-dimensions needs to be power stretched so as to avoid the possibility of wrinkles and creases. However, smaller rooms can also be power stretched to bring about a uniform look.

Below are the five essential steps on how to use a carpet power stretcher, also called a carpet stretcher to achieve carpet installation.

Step 1

Before using a carpet power stretcher to install a carpet, you will have to prepare the floor where you will be installing a new carpet. If the area has an old rug, strip it and sweep the floor clean. If you are installing a new carpet over concrete, make sure the area is dry, stable and uncracked.

Step 2

The installation of tackless strips initiates the carpet installation. After the required length of the carpet is cut with a saw, its strips have to be nailed in placed. A space equaling 2/3 of the thickness of the carpet has to be left between the wall and the strip, and the strips must be joined at the corners. After the tackless strips are in place, the carpet padding has to be added by laying the padding waffle on its side and stapling its edges every 6 inches. After the preliminary steps are addressed, the carpet has to be laid. Make sure to cut a piece at least 6 inches longer than required, with its various pieces, if any, facing the same direction to bring about uniformity.

Step 3

After the carpet is hooked to the tackless strips, the power stretcher comes into play to stretch the carpet from one end of the wall to the other by basing the stretcher at the wall where the carpet is hooked. Approximately 6 inches from the opposite wall, the teeth of the power stretcher should be dug into the carpet. Press the lever on the stretcher to lock it in place. This method should be repeated on all corners till they have been stretched.

Step 4

All excess carpet against the walls needs to be trimmed, and then the edges smoothed. A stair tool can be used to smooth the edges by pushing them down against the tackless strips and the wall. The excess carpet around the door will need to be trimmed by resting the ends of the centered carpet under a shut door. You can additionally install a gripper edge to make sure the carpet is held in place.