STEP 1

Cut the carpet to the size of the room to be covered leaving a trimming allowance of approximately 150mm (6 inches) on all sides, where possible. Keep any waste at this point, you may need it later. The pile of the carpet, where practical, should run towards the door (this is ideal, but not essential).

STEP 2

Put the carpet in place on the floor of the room where it is to be laid. If it has a pattern, adjust the carpet so that the pattern looks straight and does not run off when seen from the doorway.

STEP 3

Make release cuts to allow the carpet to lie flat in any alcoves. Cut the carpet at the right angle to the back of the alcove and take care not to cut it too far. Leave some excess for trimming around the alcove.

STEP 4

Trim off excess all round the room leaving an allowance of about 10mm (½”) along two adjacent walls and an allowance of about 38mm (1½”) along the other two.

STEP 5

Start the fitting in the corner of the room working along one of the walls with the 10mm (½”) allowance. Run your fingers along the top of the carpet so that it engages on the gripper pins farthest from the wall.

STEP 6

Do the same along the adjacent wall with the 10mm (½”) allowance.

STEP 7

Run the head of your hammer, flat, along the top of the carpet pushing it onto the other row of pins and forcing the excess carpet into the space between the gripper strip and the skirting board.

STEP 8

When the first two edges have been fixed, kneel on the carpet with your back to one of the complete walls. Push the teeth of the carpet stretcher into the carpet ahead of you and 'kick' the padded end with your knee to force the carpet forwards. Move forward and repeat once or twice until you are close to the opposite wall.

STEP 9

Stretch the carpet again and hook it onto the gripping pins with your hand. It will immediately contract and be firmly fixed into place. The tension is correct when the carpet is firm and even all across the room.

STEP 10

Repeat this process three or four more times across the room until the carpet is fixed all along one wall then turn, and do the same with the loose wall.

STEP 11

When hooking is complete excess carpet will be left lapping up the walls. Trim off to about 10mm (½”)

STEP 12

Push the remainder onto the space between the gripper and skirting using a clean Bolster Chisel or a Wooden Kitchen Spatula. Take care not to scratch the paint-work when you are using a bolster.

STEP 13

Repeat this around the room.

STEP 14

Finally, sit back and admire your handywork.