Installation

At the store

At the time of your purchase, ask your flooring retailer if they have professional installers on staff. If not, ask them to recommend an independent installer for your area. In most cases, the retailer will handle all the details of arranging the installation.

Be sure to ask about additional fees, such as removal and disposal of old flooring, and moving larger furniture pieces.

Preparing for the installation

Aside from the furniture, you can make sure things go smoothly on installation day by taking care of the following beforehand:

• Remove all breakable items, like vases, lamps, collectibles, and heirlooms
• Detach and store wiring from TVs, VCR/DVD Players, stereos, and computers
• Clear desktops, tabletops, bookshelves, tops of dressers and closet floors
• Remove all sheets, blankets and bedspreads from beds

Before the installers arrive, vacuum the old carpet to minimize the airborne dust and particles.

During the installation

Your installers will arrive with the knowledge, tools and supplies to lay your new carpet. However, they will need an area to store their electrical tools and access to electrical power outlets for their tools.

Also, vacuum the subfloor after the old flooring and cushion has been pulled up and before the new floor is installed to minimize dirt and dust.

Bear in mind that your new floor coverings need to be installed over a structurally sound subfloor. Any damage that has been done by insects, water, or other problems should be repaired prior to carpet installation.

After the installation

In the months following installation, you may notice some shedding or sprouting. This is normal and will not affect the carpet’s life or beauty in any way. Shedding is when loose fibers become undone from carpets made with staple yarn. This is normal and subsides within a short time with vacuuming. Sprouting is when a single tuft extends beyond the carpet surface, usually along walls or at seams. Simply clip it off; do not pull.