Stretching and Trimming Carpeting

Laying carpeting can be done only with the correct stretching tools; otherwise the carpet will soon develop folds and waves. Rent or buy a knee kicker and a power stretcher.

A knee kicker is a short tool used near the wall. A power stretcher telescopes out to the length needed. It has teeth at one end and butts against a wall at the other end. To operate, bend it up in the middle, set the teeth, and position the other end against a wall. Then push down in the middle to stretch the carpeting. Rent a power stretcher that's long enough to reach most of the way across the room.

If the layout requires a carpet seam, position it in a low-traffic or out-of-the-way area. Be sure to run the seam perpendicular to a window or other light source -- it will be less visible there.