Carpet Stretching 101

What Causes Carpets to Wrinkle?

Unfortunately, the problem often stems from poor-quality installation.  All carpets must be power stretched at installation. The carpet is meant to be installed tight like a drum, and this is only possible with the use of a power stretcher.

Some retailers advertise “knee kickers” as an appropriate tool for carpet installation. Every time I see one of those ads, I cringe. Knee kickers are meant only for small areas and will not effectively stretch a carpet in a room. More damage has been done to carpets because people assume it is OK for their carpets to be installed with a “knee kicker.

According to the Carpet & Rug Institute Carpet Installation Guidelines,  “Using a Mechanical Stretching Device (i.e. Power Stretcher) is Mandatory. Devices used as a substitute for such devices may cause injury, damage carpet or substrate, or result in inadequate stretch. Such devices are not acceptable.”

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