What customers need to know
about carpet installation tools

At one time or another, most homeowners decide to try their hand at laying carpet. Very often, the results are disappointing. Attempting to install carpet without the right tools usually means a carpet that won't lay flat and seams that show and even come apart.

But you can save the homeowner from this fate. The first step is to understand the customer's frustration when he or she comes in the door, and be ready with the right answers, confidence and a kind word. Then point out that you have professional carpet tools and plenty of good advice - the customer will be laying pads and carpet like an expert in no time.

In fact, carpet tools are among the most rentable homeowner items a rental center can carry. And there's a demand for carpet tools from professionals, as well. Every job requires certain basic tools - which are inexpensive and last for years.

Various types of knives are available to cut carpet on rolls, rough-cut carpet at walls and make cuts in preparation for seaming. Aluminum straight edges help by eliminating accidental knife slips. To get invisible seams, edges must be straight - edge tools help ensure uniform cuts. Trimmers are used to trim carpet at wall edges. They have adjustable cutting positions to cut carpet of different pile heights.

Most carpet installations require two or more sections of carpet to be pieced together. Correctly made seams do not show when the job is finished. Sloppy seams are obvious signs of poor work. Hot-melt seaming irons firmly join carpet seams with heat-bonded tape. Models are available with both flat and grooved bottoms. They have different heat settings and insulated handles. Seaming rollers help achieve a good bond by applying pressure to carpet backing. The roller is used immediately behind the hot-melt iron to push carpet backing into the adhesive of the seam tape. After the seam has been made and rolled, seam weights hold the newly made seam in place until the bond hardens. Carpet tractors can be used after bonding to obscure seams.

Carpet that doesn't lie flat but contains puckers or wrinkles results from laying carpet without the proper tools. Accurately positioning and stretching carpet is one of the most important elements in installation. Tools to place and tighten carpet include popular adjustable knee kickers and stretchers with telescoping tubes.

While kickers often are used to stretch room-size areas, they are best suited for positioning and stretching small pieces of carpet. For most room installations, stretchers are essential for effectively stretching carpet so that it will lie flat and smooth. These tools use extension tubes to stretch and tighten carpet. Models are available in various sizes; the addition of tube sections can extend the area of carpet that can be stretched.

Some manufacturers offer self-contained kits of basic carpet tools that can be rented as a package.

Other items available: special tools for stretching and securing carpet on stairs; carpet forks and lifters; carts, dollies, and handles for moving rolls of carpet; staple pullers, staplers and tackers; tackless strip cutters to cut wooden strips that go around rooms for stretch-in installations and carpet grabbers for pulling up old carpet.

Who rents carpet installation tools?

Carpet-laying tools are rented by homeowners, maintenance staffs of apartment, office and commercial buildings, general contractors and professional carpet installers. Even small towns have one or more carpet installers. While most own basic tools, heavy workloads often require additional equipment. The ready availability of carpet tools makes it easy for an individual experienced in carpet work to begin his or her own part-time or full-time contracting business. Professionals also rent specialized tools that they don't need on a daily basis.

Help customers and sell disposables

Most carpet tools are simple in design and easy to use. Most professional customers will be experienced in using basic carpet-laying equipment. But many homeowners are not, and the information and advice of rental store personnel can help novice carpet-layers achieve professional results. Assistance includes explaining carpet installation techniques, recommending the tools needed for each customer's job and giving instructions on how to use each tool. If printed instructions or manuals are available, review them with the customer and send a copy along.

Homeowner customers renting carpet tools are good prospects for disposable and add-on sales. Seam tape and replacement blades for knives are needed for most jobs. In addition, knee pads, back-support belts, safety glasses or goggles and tape measures are items customers may need.

Comments from the industry

MTA Distributors, Whites Creek, Tenn., Greg Meinhart: "Make sure customers have all the tools and materials necessary for their projects. Give customers operational instructions and stress safety. Carpet installation tools can remain in service for many years if properly used and not abused."

Pioneer Supply Co., Archie, Mo., Charlene Roy: "Rental store personnel can help their customers by becoming familiar with carpet laying techniques themselves and using literature and videotape programs in their instructions. Basic warnings and cautions concern the sharpness of the slotted razor blades used in carpet installation, danger from surface temperatures of seaming irons, which can reach 400 to 500 degrees, and handles of over-the-center type locking mechanisms of carpet stretchers."