Tried a new way to handle a tricky seam in a Denver basement job

I was laying carpet in a finished basement with a weird angled wall, and the seam just would not stay flat. After two tries with the usual method, I grabbed a piece of scrap tack strip and cut a small, sharp point on one end. I used that point to gently lift and tuck the carpet backing right at the seam line before hitting it with the knee kicker. It locked in perfectly and saved me from having to re-stretch the whole section. What's your go-to trick for a seam that just won't behave?

3 comments

3 Comments

hunt.shane2mo ago

Nice save. That tack strip trick is a lifesaver for stubborn seams. I keep a notched trowel in my kit for the same kind of spot work.

foster.dylan1mo ago

Gotta disagree with leo603 on that one. A notched trowel is super handy if you know how to use it right. You just have to keep the mud thin enough and feather the edges. I've seen guys make a mess with it too, but that's usually because they're piling too much on at once. Idk the tack strip thing is cool too, but I feel like the trowel gives me more control on tricky spots.

leo6032mo ago

Honestly that stuff just makes a bigger mess most of the time.