Install and Prepare New Carpet and Flooring

Carpet and Flooring Preparation and Installation

While do-it-yourself home improvement projects are increasingly popular, installing flooring is a specialized skill. At Ron Pack Carpet, we recommend finding a professional installation team to make sure your new flooring is expertly installed so you’ll be satisfied with it for years to come. Once you find a professional installer, there are a few ways to prepare for your new carpet’s arrival.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR FLOORING INSTALLATION

Very little is more exciting for homeowners than envisioning what the room or rooms in their house will look like after new flooring has been picked out and installed. Anticipation only grows with every day closer to the installation date! Whether you have professional installers to handle the job or plan to do the installation yourself, proper preparation will help ensure beautiful finished results. Here are some flooring-specific tips on how to prepare your home for installation:

Wait, back up. While you are still at your flooring retailer, it is always a good idea to ask if they have professional flooring installers on staff. If not, ask them for recommendations on independent installers in your local vicinity. In many cases, your retailer can help with the details of arranging the installation. Our Ron Pack flooring store in Little Rock and our Rochester flooring store, provide professional installation for your convenience. Be sure to ask about additional fees and any installation costs for services such as old flooring removal and disposal as well as moving larger furniture pieces. Okay, got those answers? Time to prepare your home for the big day!

Preparing for Flooring Installation: You certainly don’t want to cut corners when preparing for your new flooring to be installed. If anything, you will need to pay extra attention to detail beforehand. In addition to moving furniture, you will need to remove all fragile items such as vases, lamps, collectibles and heirlooms. Detach and store wiring from TVs, speaker sound systems and computers as well as clear all desktops, tabletops, bookshelves, tops of dressers and closet floors. It’s also a good idea to remove all sheets, blankets and bedspreads from beds. Lastly, vacuum the old carpet or clean hard surface flooring thoroughly before your installers arrive. This will minimize airborne dust and particles.

If you’re installing hardwood, laminate or vinyl flooring, you will need to plan for the flooring to be delivered to your home 48 hours in advance so the floors can acclimate to the space. Follow the temperature and humidity guidelines recommended for your hard surface flooring as well to ensure the best results.

When it comes to the actual installation, it’s worth the investment to hire a qualified installation expert. Here are a few things you can expect them to take care of for you.

Fixing any subfloor irregularities before installation.
Examining your new flooring for damage or defects before installation.
If the installation involves the use of grout and adhesives, they’ll make sure all surfaces are clean, smooth and completely dry.
Ensuring the installation area is structurally sound and free of wax, soap scum and grease.
Removing moldings, trim or appliances as necessary.
Checking door jambs to make sure the flooring has clearance once the installation is complete.

An old adage states that “by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail,” and this certainly holds true for flooring installation and other home projects as well. Use these guidelines to help your flooring installation turn out the way you always dreamed about- flawless and fabulous.

CARPET INSTALLATION

At the Store

When you purchase your new carpet, ask your flooring retailer if they have professional carpet installers on staff. If not, ask them to recommend an independent installer for your area. In most cases, the retailer will handle all the details of arranging the installation.

Be sure to ask about additional fees or carpet installation costs for things like old flooring removal and disposal, and moving larger furniture pieces.

Preparing for Installation

Aside from moving furniture, you can make sure things go smoothly on installation day by taking care of the following beforehand:

Remove all breakable items, like vases, lamps, collectibles, and heirlooms.
Detach and store wiring from TVs, VCR/DVD players, stereos, and computers.
Clear desktops, tabletops, bookshelves, tops of dressers, and closet floors.
Remove all sheets, blankets and bedspreads from beds.
Before the installers arrive, vacuum the old carpet thoroughly to minimize the airborne dust and particles

During Installation

Your professional installers will arrive with the knowledge, tools, and supplies to lay your new carpet. They’ll need access to electrical power outlets and an area to store their electrical tools, so be prepared to help them set up.

After the old flooring and carpet cushion have been pulled up, vacuum the subfloor before the new carpet is installed to minimize dirt and dust. Keep in mind that your new floor coverings need to be installed over a structurally sound subfloor. Any damage from insects, water, or other problems should be repaired prior to carpet installation.

After Installation

In the months following installation, you may notice some shedding or sprouting. This is normal and won’t affect the carpet’s appearance or longevity in any way. Carpet shedding is normal and occurs when loose fibers become undone from carpets mostly associated with new staple yarn pile carpets.

WOOD FLOORING INSTALLATION

At the Store

When you buy SolidWood, TecWood or RevWood flooring, ask your retailer if they have professional floor installers on staff. If not, ask them to recommend an independent installer for your area. In most cases, the retailer will handle all the details of arranging the installation.

Be sure to ask about additional fees for things like old flooring removal and disposal, and moving larger furniture pieces.

Preparing for Installation

Aside from clearing the installation areas in your home, there are a few other ways to prepare:

Some RevWood floors may need to acclimate to the new environment for 48 hours, so it’s good to have it delivered to your home at least two days before installation.
Make sure your SolidWood and TecWood floors are delivered to your home at least two days before installation so they can acclimate to the environment. Use the temperature and humidity guidelines recommended for your hardwood floors.
Always examine your new flooring for damage or defects before installation.
Be sure to read and follow the installation instructions.
Take care of any repairs to the subfloors before installing any new flooring, and make sure they’re clean and free of debris.

During Installation

Your professional SolidWood, TecWood or RevWood flooring installation team will arrive with the expertise, tools, and supplies to install your new wood. They’ll need access to electrical power outlets and an area to store their electrical tools, so be prepared to help them set up. It’s good to have an idea of how you want to orient your flooring, but the installers should be able to advise if you’re not sure.

Installing new floors, especially in several rooms at once, will likely disrupt your daily routine. Keep in mind that your furniture and belongings will get moved around; plan ahead for removing and disposing of old flooring with your installers..