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    Reno2008's Avatar
    Reno2008 Posts: 34, Reputation: 1
    Junior Member
     
    #1

    Jan 6, 2009, 04:15 PM
    Installing Carpet
    I’m planning to install carpet with the underlay attached in my basement. Do I use glue or should I install the tack strips along the perimeter walls.

    And also I was wondering how high should I install my baseboards above the floor?
    21boat's Avatar
    21boat Posts: 2,441, Reputation: 212
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    #2

    Jan 6, 2009, 04:56 PM

    The ways to install carpet.

    Glue down carpet will have no padding and its just with jute back. Jute is what the fibers are woven into

    Tackles means using the strips with tacks strips on perimeter.

    Tack carpet is to tack/staple down all over the floor

    Tackles is a jute back with added padding underneath it or the carpet with the padding already on it.To install use tack strips and the area is big use a carpet stretcher and a knee kicker. For small install just a knee kicker
    I would rent a carpet stretcher and a knee kicker if it's a big floor The harder you stretch the carpet the longer it will last and stop from wrinkles in the years to come.

    Small floor a knee kicker will work

    To install tackles in a big room you must use a carpet stretcher and a knee kicker and a 3 or 4 inch carpet chisel to drive in the carpet down over the tack strips to lock it in. There is also a carpet cutting tool to rent to cut the carpet to the wall edges instead a utility knife and this tool cuts the jute side with ease.

    Why and what is your underlay for the carpet and is this a concrete floor to begin with ?

    Signed 21 Boat

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    Reno2008's Avatar
    Reno2008 Posts: 34, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Jan 7, 2009, 09:55 AM

    The underlay is part of the carpet approx.
    1/4" in thickness and yes it is a concrete floor that I'm covering.(approx. 800 square feet)

    So I should use tack strips when installing this type of carpet? Not Glue? And how high should I place the baseboards above the floor?
    21boat's Avatar
    21boat Posts: 2,441, Reputation: 212
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    #4

    Jan 7, 2009, 10:23 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by ;
    The underlay is part of the carpet
    Please be more precise on the underlay is part of the carpet.
    Is there a moisture barrier on the concrete before ply/ underlay?
    How far along are you?
    I can resolve your questions but I need more clarifications to get this right for you. I will get right back when you post me back

    basic on the conc floor is it should be sealed before any underlay ply. A vaporbarier is needed so ply doesnlt rot. There are panels with dimples that set on the concrete that can be used if you are rich. OR seal the concrete with a dry lock sealer or ploy. The main objective is to keep the ply to concrete dry. Don't glue carpet onto the 1/4 underpayment if concrete is below it. I also will say don't glue carpet in any big areas unless you are a professional. Now in your case it's a sub grade and you don't want to glue the carpet and trap the moisture the moisture into the ply top and the concrete bottom.That will become a vapor barrier to rot ply. Stick with tackles so you can fix the errors OD stretching as you go along. The have carpet strips with masonry nails in them but I recommend getting some Tap Cons for back up in case strip pops when finishing nailing it. Baseboard placement depends on how thick your carpet is thick so it slightly compresses it. Note if padding is separate this gets cut to the tackles strips and not over it like the carpet jute back. The strip locations are out from the baseboard about a 1/2" or enough to just get the carpet chisel in between the strip and baseboard. Again use the kicker an stretcher. By the way you can adjust the "grip" on the carpet. When using a stretcher the fixed part against the wall to push off lay a 2x4 against the installed baseboard to spread out the pressure on the baseboard so you don't crack it while streching the carpet
    Hopefully I covered the A to Z here post back if need be


    Signed 21 Boat

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    Rivethead's Avatar
    Rivethead Posts: 88, Reputation: 7
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    #5

    Jan 7, 2009, 01:39 PM

    Install your carpet first. Then the baseboards. Just snug the first one you do down against the newly installed carpet - then follow it around the wall.
    Reno2008's Avatar
    Reno2008 Posts: 34, Reputation: 1
    Junior Member
     
    #6

    Jan 13, 2009, 04:31 PM

    I have not started yet.

    The carpet I'm planning on getting is a commercial grade carpet with padding/foam attached. The reason for this type is to avoid installing the U-lay. You do not require Poly when installing on concrete for this application.
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
     
    #7

    Jan 15, 2009, 04:11 PM
    Reno...

    Really up to you here. They make a floor adhesive that you trowel on for exactly this kind of carpet. Here, you cut carpet to fit the floor and then you flip one half of the carpet back on itself and trowel out the adhesive as directed on the can. Let that skin over slightly (or as directed on can) and then fold carpet back into place. Then do the reverse side as you did the first side.

    Otherwise you would install concrete tackless strips along the perimeter and then install the carpet as expected. No need for anything else.

    Then install the baseboard down semi-tight to the carpet.

    Let me know if you want to discuss more...

    MARK
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    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
     
    #8

    Jan 15, 2009, 06:15 PM

    A friend sells home, at least he used to. He always said the question is not will my basement flood, the question is when will it flood. Skip all padding on a below grade concrete floor. Do not glue it down all over, go with 21 boat and get a stretcher and some strips.
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
     
    #9

    Jan 15, 2009, 08:16 PM
    Good point Bob!

    MARK

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