I stopped using a power stretcher on small bedrooms and nobody noticed

Been installing carpet for about 8 years now. Everyone told me you always need a power stretcher or the carpet will wrinkle. Last month I had a 10x12 bedroom with cheap olefin carpet and a tight budget. I used a knee kicker only, pulled it extra tight by hand, and trimmed clean. Been back to that house twice since for other rooms and the carpet is still flat. Has anyone else ditched the power stretcher on small rooms without problems?

2 comments

2 Comments

william_jackson6524d ago

Totally agree, that humidity hit is the real tell. I did a kicker only job on a 12x12 last spring and it looked great for a month, then the seams started shifting and I had to redo the whole thing on my own dime.

mila_perry1325d ago

Honestly who cares if it stays flat for a month?? The real test is what happens in July when the humidity hits and that cheap olefin starts breathing. Ive seen kicker only jobs look perfect for weeks then turn into a damn ripple machine once the weather changes. Plus theres the seam issue, if you didnt stretch it right the seams can gap over time even if the field looks ok. You mightve gotten lucky once but thats not a system, thats a gamble. Small rooms are where people actually walk the most too, like in front of the bed and by the door. Id rather spend the extra 10 mins stretching it right than risk a callback that eats my whole profit anyway.

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