Step-by-Step Instructions for Restretching Carpet

Over time, carpet will stretch and wear out. This can leave you with bubbles in various spots in your carpet, creating an unkempt look in rooms. You can restrict your carpet rather than replace it in order to remove these bubbles. In order to properly complete this project, you will need to rent a few tools and set aside a large block of time on the weekend. Planning and preparation is also necessary to ensure that you understand how to restretch your carpet properly.

Gloves
Hammer
Pry bar
Carpet tack strips
Carpet padding
Stapler
Power stretcher
Rubber mallet

Instructions

- 1
  Pull up on the carpet in one corner of the room. Slowly peel back the carpet along one wall and fold it back toward the middle of the room. You will need sufficient space for working between the carpet and the wall.
- 2
  Remove the old tack strips using a hammer and pry bar. While these should come out easily, you need to be careful, as these are sharp and dangerous.
- 3
  Place new tack strips where the old ones were located. You should be able to line these up fairly easily using the old marks along the floor.
- 4
  Install new carpet padding if necessary around the new tack strips. This prevents the carpet from coming into direct contact with the subfloor. Staple the padding to the floor so it does not move when you stretch the carpet.
- 5
  Stretch the carpet with a power stretcher. Place one end against the wall where you did not pull up the carpet. Stretch the carpet in a fan pattern working from the middle of the room out, attaching the carpet to the new tack strips as you go along.
- 6
  Cut any excess carpet from the wall and tuck the carpet edge beneath the baseboard.

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