Carpet Installation in Apex, Cary and Garner: What Happens Before, During and After Install Day

It starts with the measure and the seam plan

Carpet comes off the roll in fixed widths, usually 12 feet, so almost every room larger than that needs a seam. Where the seam goes is decided at the measure, not on install day, and it is the single biggest factor in whether you notice it later.

A good seam plan keeps seams out of doorways and main walking paths, runs them in the same direction as the light from the largest window, and keeps the pile running the same way across every piece. That plan also sets how much carpet is ordered. A quote that is much lower on yardage than another usually means more seams, or seams in worse places.

• ✓Ask to see where the seams will go before you sign.
• ✓Seams that run toward a window are far less visible than seams that run across the light.
• ✓Patterned and berber carpets need extra material to match the pattern, so they cost more to install.

Choosing the pad

The pad sits under the carpet and takes most of the impact of every step. A pad that is too soft lets the carpet backing flex and stretch, which leads to ripples. A pad that is too thin wears out early and makes even a good carpet feel cheap.

For most homes we recommend a dense rebond or frothed foam pad of moderate thickness, rather than the thickest pad available. In basements and on slabs, a pad with a moisture barrier helps keep spills from soaking through to the concrete. Many carpet warranties also require a pad that meets a minimum density, which is worth checking before you choose. Our guide to choosing carpet that lasts covers pad and fiber in more detail.

Getting the house ready

A little preparation saves time on the day and avoids surprises. Check with your installer what is included, because furniture moving and old carpet removal are priced differently from company to company.

• ✓Clear small items, breakables and anything on shelves or inside dressers.
• ✓Disconnect and move computers, TVs and their cables.
• ✓Empty closet floors if the closets are getting new carpet.
• ✓Plan for pets and children to be out of the work area, since doors will be open and tools are sharp.
• ✓Be aware that interior doors may need to be trimmed if the new carpet and pad are thicker than the old ones.

Install day, step by step

Removal. The old carpet and pad come up and leave the house. Staples are pulled from the subfloor so they do not show through the new pad.

Tack strip and subfloor check. Tack strip is the thin wooden strip with angled pins around the edges of the room that holds the carpet in tension. Damaged or loose strip is replaced. With the floor bare, we also check for squeaks, loose panels and any old pet or water staining, which is sealed so odors do not come back through new carpet. This prep is part of every carpet job we do.

Pad and carpet. The pad is laid and stapled, then the carpet is rough-cut, seamed and stretched.

Power stretching. This is the step that most often gets skipped. A knee kicker alone cannot put enough tension into a full room of carpet. A power stretcher, braced against the opposite wall, pulls the carpet tight across the whole room. Carpet that is not power stretched will almost always ripple within a few years, especially in humid North Carolina summers.

Trimming and transitions. Edges are tucked, and transitions are fitted where carpet meets hardwood, vinyl or tile.

Stairs and transitions

Stairs take much longer than flat floors, and they are where poor workmanship shows first. Ask whether the stairs will be done waterfall style, where the carpet flows over the nose of each step, or upholstered, where it is wrapped tightly around the nose and under it. Upholstered stairs look more tailored but take longer and cost more.

Where carpet meets a hard floor, the transition should be level and secure, without a lip you can catch a toe on. In many homes in Apex and Cary, carpet upstairs meets hardwood or luxury vinyl at the top of the stairs or in a hallway. That joint is worth discussing at the estimate.

The first week

New carpet often has a mild smell for a day or two. Open windows and run the HVAC fan to clear it. Shedding of loose fibers is normal for the first few weeks, especially with cut pile, and regular vacuuming removes it. A tuft sticking up above the surface is called a sprout. Trim it level with scissors rather than pulling it.

If a ripple, seam gap or loose edge appears in the first weeks, call the installer. These are installation issues, not carpet defects, and a reputable installer will come back and fix them. Ripples that appear years later can usually be fixed by re-stretching, as described in our guide to carpet ripples and loose seams.

Carpet installation in Apex, Cary and Garner

Our Angier showroom is about 28 minutes from Garner, 30 from Apex and 35 from Cary. We carry carpet from Shaw, Mohawk, Dream Weaver and Karastan, and we bring samples to your home so you can see them in your own light. At the estimate we measure every room, show you the seam plan, recommend a pad, and give you a written quote that separates carpet, pad, installation, removal and stairs.

APW has installed carpet across central North Carolina since 1973. The work is done by our own background-checked, trained installation professionals, using power stretchers on every room, and every job carries our 100% product and labor guarantee. See carpet installation in Apex, carpet installation in Cary and carpet installation in Garner, read what carpet replacement costs, or book a free estimate.