Before Installation of Carpet

Being ready for the installation of your carpet will make everything faster, easier, and more efficient. Knowing what to expect and being prepared will make things a lot less stressful on you, your family, and your home.

Hire a Pro:
If you're not a professional carpet installer, hire one such as those with America's Floor Source, to do the job for you.

Even if you're not installing your own carpet, knowing a little about the process can be very useful.

Seaming Diagram:
The seaming diagram is basically a blueprint, showing the overall layout of the carpet and the correct placement of seams and transitions, as well as assisting the installer in the preparation and cutting of the carpet.

Seams:
Seams are inevitable, but experienced installers can minimize the visual and wear impact of seams through a number of tactics.

For example, seams should be placed away from areas subjected to pivoting traffic, and should not run perpendicular to doorway openings.

Some carpet styles can show the placement of the seam tape more than others. This is referred to as telegraphing, or peaking, and it is particularly noticeable in low cut pile and looped carpets.

A seam may be excellent and considered "tight" but may still be visible.

Additional carpet may need to be ordered to better match patterns at the seams, adding to your cost.

Transitions:
When two different flooring products meet -e.g. carpeting and hardwood - it's called a transition. Your installers will try to match the surface heights of various flooring products to minimize the impact of transitions.

Before Installation Day:

Move Furniture.
You can either remove your furniture yourself, or we can remove it for you at an additional cost. If we are moving your furniture, please empty all china cabinets, entertainment centers and other pieces of furniture.

Removal of Old Flooring
We can remove your old flooring. Please contact us for a breakdown of your options and charges, including disposal of the old flooring.

If you prefer to remove your present floor covering, do it at least one day prior to installation. Please leave tack strips in place and pull the staples out of the floor from the original pad.

Sub-Flooring Preparation.
Your existing sub-floor may need to be prepared to receive the carpet, or a new sub-floor may be required. If you think there's any chance that the sub-floor will need attention, please bring this to our attention, and we will inform you of your options and the associated costs.

Door Plan.
When carpet is installed, doors - especially closet doors and basement or bedroom doors - may not clear the new carpet and swing freely.

We will remove doors in order to install the carpet and re-hang them if possible.

Clean Up.
Installing new carpet will produce waste. Usually, these materials are collected by your installer and left at your trash collection site. Please let us know before installation if you desire us to haul away the waste.

Installation Day:

Be Home.
Please be at home the day of installation and be available to answer any questions that the installation crew may have. Your presence will ensure that the correct carpet is installed in the right areas.

Keep Your Family Safe.
Your installers will have and use tools and techniques that can make the work area hazardous. Please make sure that your children and pets are kept out of the work area on installation day.

Do A Walk-Thru.
We recommend that you walk through the job with the chief installer prior to the completion of the installation. This walk through will allow you to ask questions and receive clarification on any final details.

After Installation:

Clear The Air.
New carpet and any adhesives used in the installation of carpet will create a safe but sometimes unpleasant odor. If you are sensitive to odors, good ventilation should be established. Some of the odors may linger for as long as 72 hours.

Shedding.
Shedding is a natural part of a new carpet. Frequent vacuuming for the first few days should remove any loose fibers from the carpet's surface.

Sprouting.
Sprouting refers to small tufts or loops of carpet that become visible after the installation. Use a small pair of scissors to carefully trim the loose fibers flush with the surface of the carpet.

Wrinkles and Ripples.
If wrinkles or ripples appear in the carpet, please contact us to re-stretch the carpet. In most cases, this service will be provided to you at no charge.