Whether it's for aesthetics or to add warmth to a room, carpeting on concrete is something most people can do in a day or two. Why pay someone else to do it? By learning how to prepare the room and using the right materials you will be able to get the job done quickly and without problems. Go to step one for further instructions.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Purchase the Carpet
Step 1. Measure the room to be covered
Take the measurements to the retailer to make sure you get a large amount of carpet for your work. Be sure to mention that you will need to put the carpet on concrete, as different tools are required than those used to put it on wood.
Step 2. Bring swatches of fabric or paint to the store for comparison
If you've already painted the walls or have other decorations in the room in mind, bring color swatches with you so you can make an accurate choice.
Step 3. Prepare for the questions the dealer will ask you
They usually ask questions about the room and how you intend to use it. These are questions that help you choose the right carpet and are still good questions for yourself. Better to have some thoughts first, instead of making rash decisions. A reseller may ask you:
- Will it be a very or not very busy room?
- Do you have children or pets?
- Is there direct access to the outside?
- How big is the room?
- Resellers will try to offer you different types of technology at different costs. Remember that the decision is up to you. Get something that works for your purposes, but don't be forced into expensive choices that you don't want.
Step 4. Choose a carpet that fits well on concrete
Make sure it's made from synthetic materials only. Some types have a jute bottom which is too absorbent to use on concrete. If you are not going to put carpet on a subfloor you will need to make sure you choose a type of fiber that can withstand the tendency of concrete to collect moisture.
Consider an olefin fiber carpet. It is a fiber resistant to aggressive chemicals such as bleach; it may not be the most beautiful or softest carpet, but it will last
Step 5. Decide for a lighter or darker carpet
The basic rule says that a lighter carpet will have the effect of creating more space in a small room, while a darker one can add warmth to a larger space. Choose a color that can add something to the space and type of room use you want.
Part 2 of 3: Prepare the Room
Step 1. Empty the room completely
Step 2. Check for moisture problems
Any such problem in the room you want to carpet will need to be addressed. Ignoring the problem can result in expensive work, especially if you find yourself having dangerous mold and need to remove the carpet and redo everything.
You will need to do this about a week before placing the carpet, to allow time for waterproofing
Step 3. Before laying the carpet, put it in the open air
Spreading the carpet involves using different solvents.
Step 4. Remove the doors to facilitate installation
You may need to sand the bottom of the doors and adjust the sills to ensure proper closure after carpet is installed.
Step 5. Remove the baseboards
Step 6. Clean the concrete thoroughly using the right cleaners for the stains you find
After cleaning, use an antibacterial and anti-mold solution with bleach. Rinse well with clean water.
Step 7. Fill in any cracks or imperfections on the surface
Before the surface dries, fill in any holes or cracks making sure the repaired surface is level with the rest. Small cracks can be covered with a waterproof cement-based filler (such as Armstrong 501).
Step 8. Use a product to level all the low spots on the plate
Step 9. Check the room temperature
For about 48 hours before and after installation, the temperature must be between 18 and 35 ° C with humidity between 10 and 65%. Observing these conditions, installation should be easy.
Part 3 of 3: Roll out the carpet
Step 1. Roll out a fixing strip
Cut a strip as long as one of the walls and attach it to the floor using bricklayer's nails. The fixing points must face the wall. Leave a space equal to the thickness of the carpet between the strip and the wall: it is the point where you will insert the edges of the carpet during installation.
Step 2. Roll out the mat lists
Cut the strips of mat to the length of the room and place them next to each other across the room. Keep the rows flat and cover the seams with masking tape. Trim away the excess with a small knife.
Step 3. Cut the carpet to size leaving about 15 cm more all around
The designs must match in length to hide the seams. Put tape with the adhesive facing up where the seams rest. Use a sewing iron to join the pieces.
Step 4. Roll out the carpet and use an elbow tensioner to push the carpet into the far corner
Use a carpet stretcher to spread the carpet across the room to the other wall. Hook the carpet onto the fastening strip. Continue until the carpet is flat and even.
- You will work from the center of each wall to the corners.
- If you are a newbie you may want to avoid using an elbow tensioner as they can strain and even break the carpet. They are hydraulic, heavy and very expensive.
Step 5. Refine the edges
Trim the excess and push the carpet behind the fastening strip using a wide putty knife if necessary. Cover the edges on the door sill with metal jambs and put the doors back. Finish with a baseboard of your choice.
Step 6. Put transition strips as needed
Advice
- When sewing the carpet, make sure that the thickness goes in the same direction in all the pieces, before activating the adhesive of the sewing tape.
- Wear work gloves when using the fastening strips.
Attention
- Always cut carpet from behind using a sharp carpet knife and metal straight edge to cut evenly.
- Wear eye protection when driving nails into concrete.
- Do not glue on the padding: most of the adhesives dissolve the latex foam of the padding.
- Do not prepare the floor if it cannot be conditioned. If moisture passes through the concrete, any type of primer will form bubbles.
