Got Carpet Bubbles? Call (204) 558-8767
The solution is carpet stretching with a power stretcher, but the cause can be:
- New carpet
You can expect some carpet slackening during the first year or two of normal use. It becomes a problem when bumps, wrinkles or loose areas appear. By dealing with this early, you ensure the maximum lifetime of your carpet. - No stretch during installation
Professionals will stretch your carpet during installation, but not all installers know what they are doing. Some installers skip this step to finish faster. But the job isn’t finished if the carpet isn’t stretched with the proper tool, called a “power stretcher” (although no motor is involved – it’s done with leverage and an even grip). - “Knee kicker” stretching
Power stretchers are the proper tool for the job, but knee kickers are simpler and less expensive. Unfortunately, they just don’t stretch the carpet evenly or enough. It’s like using a hammer when you need a screwdriver – it might look like it will work, but of course it doesn’t. - Missing tack strips
Tack strips are required around the complete perimeter of the carpet. Sometimes, tack strips are missing along one wall, but more often, along a transition. Tack strips have upward points that grip the carpet. That is bad if they can be felt with bare feet, but properly hammering the points flat is a simple step during installation. Upholstery nails can also be used to reinforce the tack strips. - Wrong weight, “mismatched scraps” or upside-down underlay
You can’t normally see the underlay, and unfortunately, some installers take advantage. Your underlay’s weight should be matched to the type of carpet. Some installers will use pieces left-over from other jobs to save money. That’s a problem if there are more seams than necessary, or in the worst case, if the pieces are different weights. The end result is excessive carpet movement, leading to bubbles and wrinkles. - Low weight underlay
8 lbs. is recommended, but 4 lbs. is often installed. - Sliding heavy furniture
This should be self-explanatory. Try to be nice to your carpet, and it will be nice for you. - Amateur “fixes”
It’s your carpet, and you can do what you want, but without the proper tools and experience, you might be asking for trouble. Give us a call and let’s have a conversation, even if it is just for your peace of mind. - Procrastination
Waiting too long to fix small problems can lead to much bigger problems down the road. - Normal use
Carpet is supposed to make your home more comfortable, so don’t fret if your lifestyle leads to some wrinkles – power stretching can fix your carpet.
There are other possible causes that we can take a look at. Sometimes small areas of minor flooding can be fixed with a power stretch, but we can take a closer look to see if other actions are required. Same with some pet damage – a deep cleaning followed with a power stretch may do, or we might recommend further actions. Take some photos and give us a call to understand your options.
We handle carpet repairs and other home services. Give us a call at 204-558-8767 and let’s start a conversation.
