Repairing a carpet is a task any homeowner will face sooner or later. Accidentally spilling liquids, cigarette burns, and other mishaps can ruin a small area of the carpet, making it necessary to remove part of it to repair the damage. Fortunately, the task of repairing a damaged carpet is relatively easy and requires only a little time and a few simple tools.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Method One: Use a Repair Kit with Adhesive Discs
Step 1. Measure the damaged carpet area
Use a tape measure to find the size of the patch that will be pulled from the surrounding carpet. This will make it easier to cut the replacement patch to size.
Step 2. Apply masking tape to the area to be removed
Use masking tape to outline the area to be removed. Check the position of the belt with the measurements taken previously, to make sure that the internal profile of the belt respects these dimensions.
Try getting the replacement cover from an inconspicuous area, such as from inside a closet or from under a bed. Make sure the place where you get the replacement liner is not then visible
Step 3. Remove the damaged carpet section
Use a utility knife or carpet cutting tool to gently cut inside the edges marked with duct tape. Apply enough pressure to cut both the surface and the bottom of the carpet, but not hard enough to damage the underlying flooring layer. Once the section is completely cut, lift it off the carpet surface.
If you use a carpet cutting tool, use the tool to make a mold first. Once you've made the mold, attach the utility knife blades and the screw pin and make your incision, turning two or three times to remove the carpet
Step 4. Measure and cut the replacement patch
Turn the scrap of carpet face down and measure a patch for the carpet, based on your previous measurements. Mark the outline of the patch with your pencil, and use a utility knife or carpet cutter to cut the patch.
Step 5. Prepare the carpet to receive the patch
Temporarily neutralize the disc by pouring a small amount of water over it. Lift the edges of the carpet around the hole and slide the sticky disc under them, sticky side up.
- Make sure the adhesive disc is much wider than the replacement patch - you will want the disc to adhere to the entire patch and some of the surrounding carpet.
- When the patch regains its adhesion, it takes 3 to 5 minutes, press on the outer sides of the carpet to secure it in place.
Step 6. Put the carpet patch in place
Remove any loose carpet fibers around the sides of the hole. Put a thin layer of carpet glue along the edges of the sticky disc. Put the patch in the hole, making sure it adheres evenly. Press lightly to make the back of the patch make contact with the underlying layer and adhere well.
- Line up the patch so that its fibers are in the same direction as the fibers of the rest of the carpet.
- You have about 15 minutes to line up the patch well before the glue sets, permanently anchoring your patch in place. Work fast.
Step 7. Flatten the carpet to hide the patch fittings
Depending on the type of weave, it will be necessary to rub your fingers on the edges of the siding, with a carpet brush to make the carpet of the patch move in the same direction as the surrounding one.
Step 8. Finished
Method 2 of 2: Method Two: Use a Hot Repair Kit
Step 1. Measure the damaged carpet area
Determine the size of the piece of carpet to be removed, and whether you want to cut a rectangular or circular patch to fill in the missing area.
Rectangular patches can be cut with a utility knife, while circular patches can be cut using a circular carpet cutter
Step 2. Remove the damaged carpet
To remove it gently, use a utility knife or carpet cutting tool. Apply enough pressure to cut both the surface and the bottom of the carpet, but not hard enough to damage the floor below. Once the section is completely cut, lift it off the carpet. Discard it.
Step 3. Measure and cut out the replacement patch
Take a scrap of carpet, place it face down and measure a patch for the carpet, based on your previous measurements. Or remove a piece of carpet from an inconspicuous area, such as the inside of a closet. Mark the lines of the patch with a pencil, and then cut the patch with a utility knife or carpet cutter.
Step 4. Wet the carpet patch pad
The pads for carpet patches are used to iron on special discs that are activated by the action of heat. Your carpet patch pad should be aluminum-coated on the top, and contain pre-existing material at the base. Wet your pad under water and squeeze to remove excess; the pad should be moist, but not dripping.
Step 5. Slide the adhesive pad under the removed carpet portion, placing it in the center
Make sure the adhesive pad is adequately larger than the patch, especially if applied hot, and centered, for even distribution. Make the surface smooth by removing wrinkles if necessary.
Step 6. Place the replacement patch on top of the adhesive disc
Run a carpet brush over the patch to remove loose fibers. Make sure the direction of the fibers on the patch agrees with the direction of the fibers on the surrounding carpet.
Step 7. Place the patch pad on top of the patch, with the aluminum side facing up
Make sure the pad is centered and you know the location of the patch underneath.
Step 8. Using an iron set on a high temperature, heat the patch pad for about one minute
Apply pressure to the iron so that the heat is transferred from the cushion, through the carpet, to the adhesive side underneath. Remember that the adhesive layer activates when subjected to heat.
- You should hear a slight sizzle as you apply the iron to the pad. This is the reaction of the water to the heat, not the burning carpet.
- If the patch is large, iron over several places on the pad - enough to cover the entire patch. You won't want to go wrong in activating the layer under the patch.
Step 9. Remove the iron and pad and allow the area to cool
The glue on the adhesive pad will not dry completely until the carpet is cool. Run a carpet brush over the patch and remove any loose fibers from the edges of the carpet.
Step 10. Finished
Advice
- If the carpet isn't doing its job, you can also use carpet glue to hold the patch in place. Often a line or two of glue on the surface of the carpet pad will suffice. Keep in mind that if you want to replace the carpet, the patch will adhere, making it more difficult to remove.
- Put a new blade in the utility knife before trying to make each cut. This will make it easier to get sides that stick well, rather than creating small gaps between the patches and the hole in the carpet.
