Carpet is made to last many years with appropriate cleaning and care. One aspect of maintenance is carpet stretching, which pulls the surface tighter and resecures it to the tacks or anchor strips. Use this guide to see if it’s time to have your carpet stretched.

What to Know About Carpet Stretching

Does Stretching Harm the Carpet?

With the right tools and technique, stretching doesn’t damage carpet. However, older carpeting may need to be replaced if the fibers are broken down or otherwise damaged. It is smartest to have professionals do the job since they have the specific tools, such as a knee kicker, to properly stretch the carpet. The edges may also need to be trimmed or reseamed, which a professional team can accomplish precisely.

Why Does a Carpet Need to Be Stretched?

Stretch carpet right away to prevent further damage, fraying, and safety issues. Bumps and loose edges can be tripping hazards, and exposed carpet tacks are sharp and can harm bare feet and pets. Besides, a lumpy, curling carpet is not aesthetically pleasing.

How Can I Tell If My Carpet Needs to Be Stretched?

Over time, a carpet can loosen because of damage or cuts from foot traffic, the natural relaxing of fibers, or even the moving of heavy furniture. Lumps, wrinkles, or curling at the edges are signs that the carpet is loose. If there are no apparent signs of bubbling or pulling away, but the carpet is old, test it by using an awl to pull the carpet about an inch off the floor. If it doesn’t immediately sink back down, the carpet needs to be stretched.

Schedule carpet stretching as soon as you detect it to avoid tripping and further damage to the surface. The flooring specialists at CarpetMasters Flooring Co. in Chesterfield, MO, offer everything from new floor installations to carpet stretching. They provide new carpet, vinyl, laminate, wood flooring, and tile, as well as cleaning for hardwood and carpet. Call (636) 532-1311 for an estimate, or visit the website to see a gallery of available products.