There are a few specialized tools that must be used to do a professional job. Knee pads are essential, of course. Having a knee kicker and a carpet stretcher handy is also a must, but most homeowners don't have them laying around the house. Luckily, these can usually be rented from Home Depot, Lowe's, or another home improvement store.
Prepare the Concrete Subfloor
Begin by examining the concrete subfloor. Padding and carpet will hide minor imperfections, but it's advisable to remove any obvious bumps or humps. This can be done a cold chisel and a hammer. It's important to use safety glasses for eye protection.
Low spots may be skimmed with a self leveling compound to bring the concrete surface level. Only use thinset for very small imperfections. Next install the tack strips. A tack strip is a thin wooden plywood strip with tiny steel “teeth” angled out to grip the carpeting at the wall. It will keep the floor tight for years when done correctly.
Tack strips can be cut them with a pair of tin snips; they won't be seen. Keep them about 1/4 inch away from the wall for new construction. Use a spacer to keep the gap consistent. The strips have small concrete nails embedded in them. Just hammer them into the slab.
Install the Carpet Padding and Carpeting
Next install the carpet padding. Simply roll it out over the subfloor right up to the edge of the tack strips. When making seams, connect them using clear plastic tape. Plywood subfloors are a bit easier, using staples, but that won't work with concrete.
Now for the carpet; it's easier to take measurements in the room and then cut the sections in the driveway. Roll it out; seams should be connected using heat-activated seam tape. Be sure the carpet pile is going the same direction.
Next, start in a corner and use a knee kicker to pull the carpet in the direction of the wall, and attach it to the tack strip. The kicker can be fairly rough on knees, so anybody with knee problems should farm this step out to someone else. Work one side of the room in this fashion. For the opposite side of the room, use a carpet stretcher.
Protect the wall already secured from the base end of the stretcher with a bit of scrap carpeting. The other end of the stretcher has teeth which should be sunk into the carpet about 6 inches from the wall. Flip the stretcher's lever and the carpet will tighten; secure it to the tack strip.
Finish the job by working around the room, doing any final trimming and tucking the carpeting behind the tack strip using a mallet and a stair tool.
Kelly Smith - Kelly has over 30 years experience as a journeyman carpenter and 20 as a freelance writer and photographer.
Join the Conversation