With so many choices in color, style and thickness, properly maintained carpet can be a great choice for homeowners. Installing it on your own can be challenging, however. So, before you take the leap, here are a few important details on carpet installation and maintenance.
Carpet Installation Pre-Laying Checks
Before considering a carpeted floor, you have to see if your floor and your home are indeed suitable for it.
First of all, your carpet installation contractor should verify that your floor is suitable for the carpet product you have chosen. This pre-laying check should include quality tests on color, texture, and thickness.
There are several other considerations as well, such as:
- Direction
- Pattern
- Cut
- And, if your carpet comes in “tiles,” your contractor will have to decide on specific tile patterns on the carpet’s layout according to your house’s floor plan.
Installing Your Carpeting
Before installing the carpet, you should also test the subfloor for moisture. Excessive moisture will prevent adhesives from sticking to the floor, which can cause wrinkling and other carpet problems. Humidity should stay between 30% and 75% during installation and for two days after.
After the carpet has been laid down, you need to maintain the temperature of all rooms between to allow the adhesive to become fully fixed. Heat and cold should not deviate from normal room temperatures for at least 48 hours after the installation.
Proper Carpet Cleaning
Carpet care has evolved into a whole science, but the basics remain the same. You need to keep your carpet clean to prolong its lifespan.
There are several methods to clean your carpet. These include:
Hot Water Extraction
Also known as steam cleaning, this method involves shooting hot water with a cleaning agent into the carpet. The solution is then sucked out with a powerful vacuum, which removes dirt and debris from the carpeting. The hot water also destroys bacteria and allergens.
Dry Vacuum Cleaning
The most conventional method, dry vacuum cleaning is precisely that. It’s perhaps the only method you can do by yourself without the help of a professional, but it does not allow for a deep clean that removes allergen and all dirt.
If you have pets or are concerned about getting “deep down” clean, consider hiring a professional.
Long-Term Carpet Maintenance
In addition to keeping your carpet clean, you should also take into account a few other considerations, such as:
- You should ventilate your rooms adequately and avoid moisture on your carpets. A wet carpet can develop bacteria and mold, which are notoriously hard to remove and pose a health risk.
- Mold can spread from your carpet to other areas of your house, including the subfloor, potentially causing costly damage.
- You’ll want to avoid leaving heavy furniture on the same spot on your carpet for long periods of time. This can cause the carpet’s integrity to deteriorate, so move your furniture just a few centimeters every now and then.
A Flooring Expert You Can Trust
If you’re ready for new carpeting but aren’t confident in your ability to install it properly yourself, give us a call. When it comes to ornate hardwood floors or full-service carpet installation in Milwaukee, Chicago, and all surrounding areas, you just can’t go wrong with My Affordable Flooring.
With more than two decades of activity, we’ve installed some of the Milwaukee area’s most beautiful floors. Contact us today to get started on installing your new carpet flooring.
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