Fitting

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1.Fitting Methods in brief the basics

2.Bad Fitting or Fault?

3.Measuring and service

Measuring and service

Always insist that a professional views and measures the site / area.

That person is the professional and will know the widths available.
How to plan out the work involved and all the materials required.
Where the seams will be placed for least wear.
What pattern matching is required as if the carpet has a pattern how well will it join up. A printed design will not usually match as well as a woven design. Clear up what is expected.
Where the seams will go? Will they be side matched from the same dye batch? Will the pile direction be changed to run opposite or right angles to the main lay of the carpet? (This type of side match will change will change from dark to light and light to dark depending upon what direction it is viewed from. You should be shown the proposed layout, which contains all the seams. The location of the seams should be explained and agreed upon before any work starts.) Beware of any wording that allows the fitter / shop to determine the placement of seams at their discretion. It may make the carpet cheaper but if it looks awful you will be the one upset. A seam will in almost all circumstances be noticeable. The discussion should centre around WHY, WHERE and the least noticeable location.
What extra sub floor preparation is required.
What underlay ( and there are many) would be most suitable for your location, view one quality above and one below. The firmer the better. Usually the squidgy waffle rubber styles will feel nice but will not be good for the carpet long term, see Wrinkling.
No cables carrying any form of current should be laid under your carpet. To do so may cause problems with your insurance. Also with new findings in connection with pile reversal complaints suggest electrostatic properties in the carpet location may be the cause or at least part of it so beware.
The person must discuss all the above with you as it will form the basis of the Contract.
The responsibility is with that person to ensure your choice is fit for the purpose it is intended to be used. All factors are agreed upon. No surprises or extras. See CLIENT BASICS
Ensure that the person putting down your carpet is a proper carpet fitter. There is a saying 'that a carpet laid by a plumber or electrician will look like a carpet laid by a carpet laid by a plumber or electrician'.
You should insist that the professional carpet fitter carries out the work to British Standards. (Many do not ! )
Do not fall for the big cop out. I.E. Pay the shop for the carpet and a fitter for the fitting. If you have a problem with the carpet you could be in for BIG trouble. Many Manufacturers state "If you cut the carpet you own it." It should be inspected prior to fitting. A paid separately fitter wont get paid a penny if he doesn't fit anything and if he does how do you get blood from a stone? Is he insured? Ask to see the insurance prior to fitting. If you don't notice the problem until later you would have probably already paid. So under the sale of goods act who do you go after? The shop will argue that it supplied the goods but the fitter is a separate contract and its his responsibility. Complicated isn't it ? Get in writing or on your receipt (never Verbally) that :-
You will pay the fitter on the shops behalf but they remain totally responsible for all aspects of the contract and problems arising there from.
If they won't, DO NOT BUY FROM THEM.
Last but not least SEAMS

Fitting Methods in brief the basics

These are dealt with in detail in the CFA Manual for the installation of Textile Floorcovering, but it is convenient and appropriate to include here an extract dealing with points to be considered before installation. A table showing compatibility of carpet types with methods of fitting is appended in the compatibility table.

The method of installation should be compatible with both the backing treatment and structure of the textile floor covering and should be selected as given under the compatibility table.

Full consultation should take place between all interested parties on all problems, real or potential, relating to subfloor prep. seaming, pattern-matching, centering of major motifs, use of waste material lay and durability, etc.

For all installations of textile floor coverings in public or commercial buildings, the fitting of suitable stair nosings is recommended.

Where exceptional wheeled traffic with high point loadings e.g. Castor chairs and trolleys, is expected to be used, the suitability of the products and recommended installation procedures should be ascertained from the manufacturers. Underlays, when used, should be firm, resistant to indentation, but resilient. Under such circumstances underlays should be fully adhered to the subfloor and the carpet adhered to the underlay. Hence no movement or wrinkling

Release bond installation, or double-sided tape for carpet tiles where recommended by the manufacturer, should be specified where subsequent ease of uplift of textile floor coveting is a prerequisite or an operational advantage for areas where access to services below the carpet is necessary.

An alternative method to stretching to gripper on underlay has been developed. This is a release system referred to as ‘double stick’ by which purpose made underlays are first fully bonded to the subfloor by a tackifier and then the underside of the carpet is adhered overall to the top surface of the underlay, using a permanent adhesive. The main purpose is to avoid stretching and rucking. Ideal if wheelchairs are in use and comfort is required. The system is not suitable for use on stairs.

Other than in small areas, woven textile floor coverings on gripper should receive an even tension applied by power-stretching during installation. Power stretching may also be used in the installation of secondary fabric-backed carpets, but whilst full tension is necessary, care must be exercised to ensure that the teeth of the stretcher penetrate to the secondary backing and not the underlay.

Fibre bonded textile floor coverings are usually installed by full adhesion or release-bond methods and as such are not installed under tension.

Compatibility Table

Textile floorcovering type	Carpet Gripper	Full adhesion incl.' release bond	Pin & socket	Double sided tape
Woven (non Foam-backed)	*********	**********	*********	*********
Wilton	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Axminster	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Tufted	*********	**********	*********	*********
Non foam-backed	Yes*	Yes	Yes	No
Foam-backed	No		No	Yes**
Non woven	*********	**********	*********	*********
Fibre-bonded	No	Yes	No	No
Stitch-bonded	No	Yes	No	No
Melded (pvc backed)	No	Yes	No	Yes**
Bonded	No	Yes	No	No
Bonded secondary backed	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Flocked (foam-backed)	No	Yes	No	Yes**
Knitted	No	Yes	No	Yes**
Tiles	No	Yes	No	*******

* Special care needed when power stretching.

** Suitable only for small domestic areas.

*** Refer to manufacturers for details.