Carpeting doesn’t last forever—eventually, you will need to replace it. You might wonder how much is it to replace a carpet, and the answer might influence whether you want to replace it as a do-it-yourself project or hire a professional. If you choose to work on the task yourself, you need to know how to replace carpet.
Replacing Carpet: DIY or Call a Professional?
When they consider replacing a carpet, most people have two questions: How much does it cost to replace carpet, and how often to replace carpet? However, budget and replacement frequency alone are not the only factors you should consider.
The cost of a DIY carpet replacement includes equipment like tack strips, a knee kicker, a staple gun, and carpet scissors, in addition to the new carpet and padding. Without sufficient experience or time, your costs could rise if you make mistakes.
Professional carpet replacement may have a higher upfront cost, but the job will get done right. Carpeting exerts can also inspect and repair the subflooring and offer warranties for materials and labor.
How Often Should You Replace Carpets?
Most carpets have a lifespan between five to 15 years, depending on the type of carpet, foot traffic, and padding. Knowing when to replace carpet is necessary to avoid replacing the flooring needlessly. You might consider a replacement if the flooring has:
- Unusual odor
- Insufficient carpet padding
- Excessive wear
- Stubborn stains
7 Easy Steps on How to Replace a Carpet
If you want to try a DIY carpet replacement, here are some helpful tips to consider:
1. Measure Your Room and Gather the Materials
Measure the room receiving new carpeting. Order the appropriate amount of padding and carpeting to cover the floor and fit around any baseboards, angled walls, or other obstructions.
2. Remove the Existing Carpeting and Padding
Detach old carpeting and padding from tack strips by folding and cutting manageable sections of the materials.
3. Give Your Floors a Thorough Cleaning
Sweep and vacuum all debris to give your new carpet a clean slate.
4. Install New Tack Strips
Place wooden tack strips around the room’s perimeter. You will secure the carpet to these wooden pieces with tacks to hold it in place.
5. Install the Carpet Padding
Lay the carpet padding evenly, covering the whole floor with no overlap. After stapling it to the tack strips, stretch the padding and remove the excess for a perfect fit.
6. Cut and Lay the Carpet
Lay the carpet over the padding. Ensure that the carpet pile faces the same direction on each piece, use a knee kicker to attach the carpet to the tack strips, and cut the excess with a utility knife.
7. Post-Installation Cleaning
Give the new floors a thorough vacuuming.
Conclusion
If you need new flooring and have concerns about how much to replace carpet, you might consider a DIY replacement. Though the steps of replacing carpet seem simple, the project requires substantial skill and experience for a perfect execution, which is why professional assistance may be a better option.
Interior Motives Flooring is a family-owned flooring company serving Auburn, WA. Our full-service flooring store has over 31 years of combined flooring experience, and we know how to replace carpet expertly and hassle-free. Request an estimate today by calling 253-735-2243.
