My uncle told me to always tack strip the perimeter before the center

I thought it was just his old school way, but on a big job in Boise last year, the carpet started bunching up in the middle. He was right, it keeps the tension even. Anyone else have a tip that seemed weird but saved you?

3 comments

3 Comments

bethjackson2mo ago

Okay but that "keeps the tension even" thing is exactly what I'm not sure about. I've seen guys go perimeter first and still get ripples because they fought the carpet the whole time. If you start with a solid anchor in the center and work out, you're not fighting the stretch as much. Maybe it just depends on the carpet type or the room shape.

kelly_ramirez962mo ago

That Boise job you mentioned is a perfect example. The perimeter-first method only works if you're using a knee kicker correctly to set the hook of the carpet into the strip. If you're just tacking it down flat and then trying to stretch from the middle, you'll absolutely fight it. The key is getting that initial bite on the strip so the stretch has something to pull against.

thomasm411mo ago

Haha I mean the whole "getting that initial bite" part is where I always look like a total amateur. Half the time I knee kick too hard and the hook just launches the strip across the room, or I barely tap it and the carpet just laughs at me. Idk maybe it's just me but I've definitely been the guy with the crooked strip and a lumpy corner, standing there wondering why my life choices led to this. Honestly though Kelly's right, that initial hook is make or break, but for me it's more like make or break my knee on the floor for the tenth time that day.