If you’re reading this, you’ve probably found yourself in a situation where you needed to remove your carpet from the grippers, and now you can’t get the darn thing back on.
Fear not. This article will help you.
Carpet grippers, also known as tack strips, are designed to hold the carpet firmly in place. They feature sharp nails or pins (or “tacks”) angled towards the wall, ensuring a secure grip on the carpet backing.
However, this design also makes it tricky to realign the carpet and get it back in position without causing wrinkles, bulges or uneven edges.
Below, we’ll outline a step-by-step process of putting carpet back on grippers and staying on the grippers for a long time. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast, a builder or a developer, mastering this skill can come in handy.
Why would a carpet not grip properly?
There are several reasons why a carpet may not grip properly onto the grippers or tack strips:
The carpet wasn’t installed properly
If the carpet was not initially installed correctly, it may not grip onto the tack rods securely. This could be due to improper stretching, inadequate tucking or using the wrong type of gripper rods for the carpet (explained in more detail below).
Improper cutting
If the carpet was not cut to the correct size or shape during installation, it may not fit snugly onto the grippers.
This can lead to gaps or excess material, making it challenging for the carpet to grip securely onto the gripper rods.
Wrong type of gripper strips
Using the wrong type of gripper strips or tacks during installation can also result in improper gripping.
For example, using gripper rods with pins that are too short or too long for the carpet thickness can prevent the carpet from gripping effectively onto the gripper rods.
How to put your carpet back down on grippers (so that it stays on)
Carpet fitting can be difficult. However, if you know what you’re doing, then here’s a step-by-step process to effectively getting your carpet back onto your grippers.
Step 1: Remove your gripper rods
First things first, you have to remove your current gripper rods. They are most likely causing the problem.
To remove them, you’ll need a hammer, a pry bar or similar carpet-fitting tools. Begin by gently inserting the pry bar under the edge of the gripper strip and carefully lifting it away from the floor.
Work your way along the edge, taking care not to damage the subfloor or surrounding surfaces.
Once you’ve removed all the old carpet gripper rods, get rid of them!
Step 2: Clean the floor
With the old tack strips removed, clean the floor surface where the carpet will be reinstalled.
Use a broom or vacuum cleaner to remove any dust, debris or adhesive residue left behind by the old gripper rods.
For stubborn residue, you may need to use a scraper or adhesive remover to ensure a clean and smooth surface.
Step 3: Install new carpet grippers
New carpet grippers will be essential for holding the carpet in place securely.
(Now, if you don’t have any, you’ll need to buy some. Here are five different carpet grippers you can check out).
Choose grippers that are appropriate for your carpet type and thickness, ensuring they have sharp pins facing towards the wall to grip the carpet effectively. For more information, you can read our guide on how to choose the right carpet grippers.
Starting at one end of the room, position the grippers along the edge, leaving a small gap between each strip to allow for stretching and tucking of the carpet. Use nails or screws to secure the grippers to the floor, ensuring they are firmly in place.
Step 4: Lay the carpet back down
With the new grippers and underlay in place, it’s time to lay the carpet back down.
Begin by aligning one edge of the carpet with the wall, leaving excess material on the opposite side to be trimmed later.
Use a knee kicker or power stretcher tool to stretch the carpet over the grippers and ensure a tight and smooth fit.
As you lay the carpet, work methodically from one side of the room to the other, adjusting and stretching the carpet as needed to avoid wrinkles or bulges. Take care to position the carpet evenly along the walls and ensure a consistent fit across the entire room.
If you’re installing underlay on stairs, read our guide on fitting carpet underlay on your stairs.
Step 5: Measure and cut
Once the carpet is laid down, measure the excess material along the wall opposite to where you started.
Use a carpet-cutting tool or utility knife to trim the excess carpet, ensuring a clean and straight edge along the walls.
Take your time with this step to achieve a smooth finish.
Step 6: Stretch & trim
After trimming the excess carpet, use a knee kicker or power stretcher tool to stretch the carpet into place over the grippers. Start at one end of the room and work your way across, stretching the carpet evenly to eliminate any wrinkles or slack.
Finally, trim any remaining excess carpet along the edges using a carpet-cutting tool. Take care to make clean and precise cuts, following the contours of the walls and corners for a neat result.
Once you’ve trimmed the excess carpet, use a carpet seam roller to press down the edges and ensure they are securely attached to the grippers. This helps prevent fraying or lifting of the carpet edges over time.
Need new carpet grippers?
We hope this step-by-step guide helps you.
If you’re struggling with old, worn-out carpet grippers that are making it difficult to achieve a smooth and secure carpet installation, it might be time to upgrade.
At Buy Flooring Online, we have an impressive range of high-quality carpet grippers that suit a wide range of different types of carpets.
Whether you need grippers for thick & thin carpets, concrete subfloors, wood subfloors or more, we have it!
Have a browse – your floors will thank you!
