Rent the proper tools and re-stretch the carpet in less than an hour.
Time 1 hour or less
ComplexityIntermediate
Introduction
Rent special carpet stretching tools and restretch loose or wrinkled carpet quickly and easily. We demonstrate the technique in four steps; you don’t have to hire a pro.
Tools Required
- 4-in-1 screwdriver
- Pliers
- Putty knife
Project step-by-step (6)
Step 1
Rent the Proper Tools
If you ignore carpet wrinkles, they’ll wear and become permanent eyesores—even if you stretch them later. You don’t have to hire a carpet layer—fix it yourself with rental tools and our instructions. Rent a power stretcher and knee kicker. Then buy a carpet knife (not a utility knife) at any home center.
Step 2
Pull the Carpet Free
Grab the carpet right next to the baseboard and pull it straight up. Then, loosen the rest of the carpet along the wall.
Step 3
Dial in the Correct Tool Depth
Adjust the tooth depth by loosening or tightening the screws on the spacer bar. Set the bar so the teeth grab just the carpet pile, not the jute backing or pad (the pad is stapled to the floor and shouldn’t be stretched).
Step 4
Stretch the Carpet
Operate the power stretcher with the lever and capture the excess carpet in the tack strip as you stretch. Use the knee kicker on both sides of the locked power stretcher to help lock the carpet into the tacks.
Step 5
Trim the Carpet
Fold the excess carpet so the backing is facing up. Then cut it off with the carpet knife.
Step 6
Smooth Talk About Wrinkles
Professional carpet installer Steve Hoover explained how carpet gets wrinkled. “Carpet has to acclimate to interior conditions before it’s installed. That’s especially important if the carpet has been in a cold truck or exposed to high humidity. If it’s installed while it’s still cold or humid, you’re going to have wrinkling problems later on,” he said.
Improper stretching during installation is another cause. “Some installers lay the pad and carpet and secure it with just the knee kicker. Since the carpet was never really stretched, it’s going to wrinkle after it’s seen some traffic,” he added.
Hoover’s advice? Ensure the installers allow enough time for the carpet to acclimate and insist that they actually stretch it with a power stretcher during installation. “If the carpet wasn’t stretched during installation, it’s going to wrinkle later.”
