Handy carpet repair: reattaching pulled-out carpet

A carpet pro typically charges $125 to $150 for repairs. If the repair involves a large area or the damage is more extensive, the cost can easily double. But, doing the repair yourself when it comes to reattaching pulled-out carpet can cut these cost by up to two-thirds.

• If you have carpet that has pulled loose from a metal threshold, fix it now, before the exposed edge of the carpet begins to fray.
• Plus, if you let the damage go until it extends more than 2.5 centimetres (1 inch) or so away from the threshold, you won't be able to make a good-looking repair.
• You'll need these standard tools for the job: a measuring tape, a screwdriver, a pry bar, metal snips or a hacksaw, and a straightedge.
• You'll also need a carpet knife and a knee kicker, which you can get at any rental centre for about $15 per day.
• You'll also need a new metal threshold (90 centimetre or 36 inch) and 3.5 centimetre (1 1/2 inch) ring-shank drywall nails.

• This repair is much easier if you first remove the door.
• You can do it with the door in place, but it'll take a little longer and you risk scratching the door.
• After you've removed the door (if you choose to), carefully pry up the lip of the existing metal threshold along its entire length using a screwdriver or flat pry bar.
• Since you'll be replacing the threshold, you don't have to worry about wrecking it, but you should work carefully so you don't damage the carpet edge even more.
• Once the threshold lip is bent up, use pliers to gently pull the carpeting up from the teeth inside the threshold.
• Roll the carpet back slightly to get it out of the way
• But you can leave the carpet pad in place.
• Then, pry up the threshold slightly and pull the nails.
• To get an exact measurement for cutting the new threshold, don't measure the old threshold because it may be kinked.
• Instead, measure the opening the threshold covers and then cut the threshold with metal snips or a hacksaw.

• If the carpet edge is in good shape, you can place the new threshold exactly where the old one was.
• If the edge is badly frayed, you'll need to trim off the damage using your carpet knife and a straightedge.
• Then position the new threshold farther into the carpeted room to compensate for the width you trimmed off.
• In most cases, you can place the new threshold about 2.5 centimetres (1 inch) from the original position, but not more.
• If you've moved the threshold more than 2.5 centimetres (1 inch), you may also need to trim the carpet pad so it doesn't cover the threshold pins.
• If you're working on a wood subfloor, nail down the replacement threshold with 3.5 centimetre (1 1/2 inch) ring-shank drywall nails.
• On a concrete floor, use heavy-duty construction adhesive to glue the threshold to the floor, and allow a day for it to dry before moving on to the next step.

• Now you're ready to attach the carpet to the new threshold.
• Starting at one end of the threshold, set the head of the knee kicker about 5 centimetres (2 inches) from the threshold and kick with your knee to stretch the carpet toward the threshold.
• Kick firmly, but not with all your strength or you might rip the carpet.
• Force the carpet into the threshold teeth with a stiff putty knife.
• Then move the kicker over about 5 centimetres (2 inches or roughly the width of the kicker's head) and repeat the process until you reach the other end of the threshold.
• When you're done, tuck any loose carpet under nearby baseboards with a stiff putty knife.
• Finally, pound down the threshold lip with a rubber mallet.

Remember these tips the next time you have a carpet emergency and you'll be able to get the situation under control while also saving some money.